MINISTRY MODEL
Love New Internationals encourages a ministry model that creates for immigrants a natural pathway to Jesus.
This 3-Stage ministry model includes settlement programming to help new immigrants adjust to life in their new country, spiritual programming for those interested in learning about Jesus, as well as the Bridges class, which bridges the gap between settlement and spiritual programming.
The Bridges class focuses on culture, English language, and the life and teaching of Jesus. Each class includes a vocabulary lesson that includes words from a gospel text as well as discussion questions that encourage students to talk about their birth country, family, immigrant experience, goals, dreams, and even their failures and regrets. People from various cultural and religious backgrounds participate without pressure.
Stage 1 - Settlement Classes & Events
This stage has little or no spiritual content. It is for those looking for friendship. Our goal with the settlement classes is to serve new immigrants in our neighborhood; to help them settle into their new life and communities.
Stage 2 - Bridges Class
Stage 2 is a gentle introduction to the gospel. These consist of pre-evangelistic classes for the spiritually curious. Most who attend come from countries where they are unable to ask questions about Jesus, Christianity, or the Church.
Stage 3 - Spiritual Classes
This stage consists of spiritual classes for those who want to follow Jesus. These classes are what churches are already good at; for new believers or those close to faith. It includes ESL bible studies, the Alpha course, and worship services.
Understanding Bridges Class
It can be difficult for new immigrants to move from an ESL class to a Friday night bible study or a Sunday morning church worship service. We have developed transitional programming that serves as a bridge from settlement programming to more spiritually focused programming. We call this class “Bridges.”
“Bridges” is a class with friendly people from around the world studying English language, culture, and Christian faith. The class is offered in a context that is welcoming, respectful, and interactive. Each week we have a focus on some aspect of culture (e.g. winter driving, Valentine’s Day, daylight savings, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, garage sales, camping, Halloween, etc). This is followed by a reading of 8-10 verses from one of the gospels. Then we break into small groups of 3-5 with one volunteer at each table.
Students are led through an English vocabulary exercise based on the gospel portion that has been read, followed by 11-13 discussion questions that are based on that gospel text. These questions show the link between the ideas in the life and teaching of Jesus and our own contemporary lives. For example, if in the gospel text Jesus was in a boat on a lake, one of the discussion questions might ask about student experiences in a boat or on a lake.
We usually have 1 or 2 spiritually focused questions each week that provide a non-threatening exploration of the implications of Jesus’ teaching for our own lives. For example, when Jesus told Peter to forgive his brother 77 times we asked the question, “Tell us about a time when you forgave someone or someone else forgave you.” Like all of our curriculum, “Bridges” can be used by volunteers without specialized TESL training.
