At the end of this month we are excited to welcome Belkis Lehmann, National XA’s Diversity Specialist, for a weekend of XA Training. Belkis has served with Chi Alpha for many years and her experience and leadership will help expand our vision for reconciling all students to Christ at Kent State. As we continue to become more missional together, it’s important that we reflect biblical norms in our growing community. Belkis will help us better understand (and intentionally plan) an important part of God’s Kingdom, diversity. This essential part of kingdom culture is seen in the birth of the church in Acts 2:5-11, and is an evidence of a healthy gospel-centered ministry.
[5] Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. [6] And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? [9] Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, [11] both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
Talk about diverse! As God poured out his spirit in new ways on the early Church he was clearly saying that this was not just something for one specific people group. Instead the new covenant with God, through Jesus, is open to all people from every nation and ethnicity.
It’s my desire that Kent Chi Alpha would continue this beautiful picture of Jesus gathering together a diverse group of people to represent him. It is through Jesus that we are able celebrate our uniqueness and not be divided by our differences. As the good news of Jesus Christ saving each of us from sin and death permeates our lives more and more it’s a joy to stand shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters “from every nation under heaven”. This will not be always be easy, but I would rather do what Jesus want’s me to do than to take the easy way.
So please come. Come gain a new perspective. Be challenged to grow. Let’s listen to what Jesus want’s us to do with him here on this campus. After all, we are (a diverse?) family, on mission together, with Jesus.
Belkis will be with us at XA Live on Thursday night (we want to take up a financial offering for her then). She will be with us Saturday morning from 9a – noon on October 31st (meet in the hub). There is no charge for this XA Training event.
Kent Chi Alpha 