Cross Cultural Consultation held in Puerto Rico.

With tears streaming down his face, Brother Joseph Craddock, a minister of Germantown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, spoke for many when he joyfully proclaimed, "This has been the best experience of my life." Forty-seven pastors and leaders from the mainland joined with sisters and brothers of Puerto Rico at the Cross Cultural Consultation hosted by the Castaner church, April 29-May 3.

Spirit-filled worship occurred several times a day and the Castaner church building was filled to overflowing each evening. Sermons, testimonies, music, and prayers were offered to God in French, Creole, Spanish, and English, held together by the power of the Holy Spirit. Harriet Finney, past Annual Conference moderator, reminded the gathering that the church has not yet arrived in becoming the multi-cultural church of the New Testament, but is on its way and closer to this goal than when it first began. Ruben Deoleo, of Lancaster, Pa., and Miguel Alicia, of Rio Prieto, P.R., also preached. Worship was led by Gilbert Romero of Bella Vista, Calif. Belita Mitchell, of Harrisburg, Pa., retold the Cross Cultural Ministries Team story. Greetings from the General Board were shared by Frank Ramirez, of Everett, Pa.

The worship experience was enriched by the leadership of Puerto Rican Church of the Brethren congregations including Las Casa del Amigo Fellowship of Santana, Arecibo, where Loren and Lily Crespo are pastors; Yahuecas, where Norma Medina Rivera is pastor; Juan and Isabel Figueroa, pastors of Camito Christian Center; the young adults of Vega Baja, where Hector Perez is pastor; and the youth of Castaner, where General Board member Jaime Diaz is pastor.

Educational opportunities included hearing the story of the Brethren in Puerto Rico and a tour of the Castaner hospital led by Elsa Groff; an introduction to the work of the Anti-Racism Training Team led by James Washington, of Whitehouse, Texas, and Sharon Reich, of New Hope, Va.; and a workshop on new ways of dealing with conflict led by Mark Chidley of Cape Coral, Fla.

Castaner church provided hospitality including meals and housing. A work project left behind a new driveway for the church, which was financially assisted by three Indiana congregations: Bremen, Pleasant Dale, and Anderson.

The Cross Cultural Ministries Team is supported by the General Board and receives staff assistance from Congregational Life Team members Duane Grady and Carol Yeazell. A 2005 event is planned for April 21-24 at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind. For more information contact Grady at 800-505-1596 or e-mail dgrady_gb@brethren.org.

Source: Newsline 5/7/2004
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