Yesterday, I had the privilege of being part of an amazing meeting. It was a gathering of all of the Superintendents of the Assemblies of God language districts along with the Presidents of the Ethnic Fellowships in the U.S. It was awesome to see and hear what God is doing through the wonderful diversity of people He has brought to live in this nation. I sat with leaders that people groups from all over the world. Besides the 8 Spanish language districts that represent 1400+ churches in America, 18 other ethnic groups had representation in the room. Collectively, the represented a ton of vigorous church planting happening all over the place!

What is especially encouraging for me is that these friends are the fruit of decades of labor by AG missionaries in every corner of the globe. From the beginning, our missionaries were determined to plant the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of indigenous people and then empower them develop leadership to lead themselves. It is a strategy that has clearly worked. Currently, the AG has self-governing General Councils in 212 countries and territories. Much of what is now happening globally was catalyzed by missionaries who obeyed the call of God to sacrificially GO to take the Gospel to all nations. Now the fruit of their labor is coming back to bless America in our time of great spiritual need.

These leaders are passionate and faith filled and they are working diligently to reach lost Americans of all ethnicities. I’m optimistic that they are part of God’s plan to heal this nation. And the reality is that these folks are the future of America. According to a recent article in the
New York Times, America will be composed of a “minority majority” by 2039. In other words, over the next thirty years, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites which now comprise about 66% of the population will rapidly decrease to 49% in 2039. We must plant churches that are multi-cultural as well as cultural specific to reach folks of differing languages and cultural with the powerful Gospel of Jesus.

The bottom line is that God has positioned the AG well to reach lost Americans regardless of culture, language or nation of origin.

According to Richard Hammar, legal counsel for the Assemblies of God the top five reasons churches are sued are:

1. Property disputes

2. Sexual misconduct involving a child

3. Employment related disputes

4. Zoning

5. Personal injuries

Application to church planters…it pays to set things up properly in the first place. Check with your district for assistance in setting your church in a manner that is legally sound. If your district is not equipped to help you, please contact the Church Multiplication Network and we will do our best to offer assistance!

Check out this interesting blog post about the relative number of people who consider themselves as affiliated with identifiable religious groups. It’s amazing to think that in less than 100 years, the fellowship of Assemblies of God people has exploded from a handful in Hot Springs to a major international movement of people who pursue the fullness of the Spirit’s power as they follow Christ. I wonder what God has in store for the next 100 years (should the Lord delay His return!).