My wife and I have been going on short-term mission trips to Port Elgin, Canada since 2007. Most of those trips followed a similar pattern: we ran a Vacation Bible School / sports camp for elementary age children. God blessed those efforts, and many children were brought to faith in Jesus Christ. We also met some great Canadian teens and adults, many of whom we’ve kept in touch with.
In 2023, we had a totally different mission trip experience that opened the Scriptures in a new visual way, one that gave me a glimpse of heaven. For a week, we worked with a small bilingual church in St. Catharines, Canada, doing downtown evangelism and helping them run their annual Latin Fest.
Before we left for home on Sunday, we joined the congregation of Sevilla Chapel in worship. Every verse of every song was sung first in English, and then in Spanish. We boldly sung “Cristo, Nuestra Esperanza en Vida y Muerte”. Everyone sang, and in my case did a poor job with the Spanish, as we worshiped “Christ, Our Hope in Life and Death”.
Our pastor boldly preached the sermon in English, and then Pastor Steven from Sevilla Chapel translated his words to Spanish with a passion that made you think he had seen the sermon text in advance. He hadn’t. God’s Word is just that powerful.
After the service, the people of Sevilla Chapel served us a delicious Spanish meal. Groups from Raleigh, North Carolina and St. Catharines sat together and shared a meal.
It wasn’t until later that I realized what happened in St. Catharines was exactly what the Apostle John was describing from his vision in Revelation 7:9:
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.
People from two different countries, that spoke two different languages, and came from two very different cultures and backgrounds were united to celebrate a common faith that Sunday. Our shared faith, united in Christ’s love, overcame our differences. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross built a permanent bridge of love between the people of St. Catharines and Raleigh.
The Book of Revelation paints a vivid picture of Heaven. In it, we see the culmination of God’s redemptive plan through His Son, Jesus Christ, displayed in the amazing diversity of God’s people, united in one purpose – worshiping God before His throne.
God promised that one day His people will gather together for worship and then share a beautiful meal together, just like we did that Sunday in St. Catharines. Believers from all seven continents and across all of time will unite to worship God singing “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Worthy are You to receive all of our praise.” We will praise God in our own languages, yet understand each other.
And in that moment, we will see what “created in His image” looks like. It looks like every nation, every tribe, every people, and every language.
Until that glorious day in heaven, we should celebrate our differences. See them, not as barriers, but opportunities to experience the richness of God’s human tapestry. Embrace diversity; it’s been God’s plan all along. Seek out people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. And then rejoice in the unique gifts each person brings to the body of Christ.
In heaven, we will be singing and praising God together as one holy people. Like the early church – Jew & Gentile, male & female, servant & master, rich & poor – all worshiping our great God together. While God’s people may look and sound different, we all share a common bond of faith.
Jesus said that His followers would be known by their love for one another. Show them God’s love by telling them about this amazing God that you worship. Who loves them beyond what they can only imagine and sent His precious Son Jesus to die for them. That kind of love is worth bragging about!
And finally, we should live with a kingdom perspective. As believers, our citizenship is in heaven. When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth will grow strangely dim. Let heaven shape your perspectives and priorities.
Because my sons are married, sometimes they celebrate Christmas out of town with their in-laws. When that happens, I miss having my whole family around me.
The apostle Peter told us “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
My week with the people of Sevilla Chapel in St. Catharines reminded me that God made His family diverse. And like me on Christmas, our Loving Father wants His whole diverse family, believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue, gathered around Him in heaven. Forever.
What an awesome God we serve that loves every one of us!
I’ve been using Duolingo to learn Spanish since I returned from St. Catharines. There were Spanish-only speakers at Sevilla Chapel. I also got a Spanish-English New Testament. My goal is to be able to talk with them in 2024, and hope their grace extends to forgiving my Spanish mistakes. “Lo siento mucho” will be a phrase I utter often.
Prayer:
Father, I look forward to the day when my brothers and sisters from every nation, tribe, people group, and language will be standing before your throne praising You and singing. Until that day, Lord, let me boldly share your Name with everyone I meet.
