¡Ándale! Let’s Get to It!
By Rev. Ella Luna-Garza, Central United Methodist Church (Stockton, CA)
Today, The United Methodist Church (UMC) celebrates Latine Heritage. Yet, throughout this world, many Latine persons do not know the welcome of The UMC.
For over 20 years, I’ve been connected to El Plan (for Hispanic/Latine Ministries). El Plan has provided awareness and created opportunities for Hispanic/Latine persons to become agents of transformation in society, within The UMC, and in God’s Kin-dom.
Much work has been done. More work is needed.
I am a Latina clergy member in full connection serving a cross-cultural appointment.
On ordination day, the bishop commissioned us with these scriptures:
Matthew 28: 19-20a (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
I felt the weight of hands on my head, the reverence of commissioning and the sacred charge of the newly placed yoke (stole). I focused on going therefore. As I exited the sanctuary, a colleague, said, “You are going to be a great gift for the Mexican church.”
With those few words, I was limited to a people, a language, a culture, and a directive to go therefore… only to Mexicans.
To be clear: I am orgullosa, proud, of my Mexican American Heritage, and love both the Spanish language and my Latine siblings. This is not the point.
The point is: The Great commission is for all Christ followers; clergy and laity alike. We are to share Christ to all nations. It is not just for Hispanic/Latine persons nor only in October.
Today, in the United States, there is much division. Some Jesus followers practice being grace exclusive instead of Christ inclusive, using scripture to limit the breadth, width and depth of God’s love. As United Methodists, we believe God’s love is inexhaustible and freely given.
I imagine the colleague who sent me to pastor the “Mexican Church” only accepts, loves, and cares for the church of the dominant culture within The UMC. This type of commissioning doesn’t reach all nations nor all neighbors. It clings to power structures supporting self.
What if United Methodists took Jesus’ great commission seriously? Would we care for all nations, even the “Mexican Church”?
Would we serve detained persons? Advocate for immigrant rights? Accept pastors with accents? Care for refugees? Care about ICE abuses, family separations, and deportations to foreign lands?
Would we feed the hungry, have compassion for the imprisoned? Visit the sick and lonely? Ensure all children have housing, medical care and education? Care for nations at war?
Would we make disciples of all nations, build community and develop leadership in all languages, for all cultures, and all peoples. Would we? Could we?
Could we evaluate our social circles; are they homogenous? Be patient speaking with someone who has an accent? Study immigration policy and write to a legislator? Hold The Church and ourselves accountable for expressions of racism? See our neighbors as Christ himself? Support an ethnic ministry? Celebrate our Latine siblings every day?
On ordination evening, I responded to my colleague saying, “It’s a good thing God has called us to serve the whole church, so that even Mexicans will be served.”
I pray and preach, work and wait, hoping for the day we no longer need to designate a month to celebrate Hispanic Latino Ministries; when the believers of Christ serve all nations.
May we take the mandate seriously. And may the love of Christ be known. Until then, we’ve work to do… ¡Ándale! Let’s get to it!