(1 Timothy 2:4)
"Experiencing The Heartbeat Of God" HIM was born out of the experience of Executive Mobilizer James P. While serving on global mission trips in the 90’s, he would hear on the field from the nationals he served, “where are the black missionaries” or they would say, “you are the first African American missionary I ever met”? Of course he could not speak for all African Americans, but a seed was planted in his heart. That seed was a seed of mobilization. All he knew was that He loved God and wanted all to know Him. This was consistent with the words of Paul to Timothy concerning God’s will, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:4). He began to research on the lack of African American representation on the mission field and discovered the work of Dr. James Sutherland the executive director of Reconciliation Ministries Network (www.rmni.org), who later became his mentor. The one of many contributions of Dr. Sutherland to mobilization was his dissertation entitled: WHY SO FEW AF-AM MISSIONARIES? - "African American underrepresentation in intercultural Missions: Perceptions of Black Missionaries And The Theory of Survival/Security” (You may read the 330page research here: https://www.rmni.org/african-american-mis- sions/dissertation-why-so-few-afam-missionaries.html) According to a recent census conducted by Reconciliation Ministries Network in 2015, there are 223 African American U.S. missionaries serving 2.5 years or more in a foreign land. As of 2010, the World Christian Database notes that there were a total of 126, 650 cross-cultural U.S. This is the most current total of cross-cultural missionaries that was able to be obtained, but we can safely assume that this number has not decreased and may have increased if it has followed previous trends. For the sake of this argument, however, let’s assume that the total of cross-cultural U.S. missionaries serving abroad has remained steady at 126,650. That would mean that the African American missionary representation is less than 1%. It actually equates to .175% to be more accurate. As an African American himself, he was troubled by this fact because he knew African American people attend church and are very religious. As a matter of fact, it is known African Americans are the most religious people group in America. According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 by the Pew Research Center’s Fo- rum on Religion & Public Life, African Americans “are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole.” It cited that 87% of African Americans (vs. 83% of all Americans) are affiliated with a religion. It also found that 79 % of African Americans (vs. 56% overall) say that religion is “very important in their life”. However, there is a difference from being religious and being an Interethnic Disciple who is on mission with God. This has been motivation to make a difference. There is a need to teach God’s interethnic heart to His Church! There is a need to INSPIRE, TRAIN, and MOBILIZE! It states in The Manila Manifesto, “The whole gospel has been entrusted to the whole church, in order that it may be made known to the whole world”. It is God’s strategy that the whole church, be involved in His mission in the earth. The responsibility is NOT just on a few people groups. God loves all people and wants all his children to be on mission for HIM. God loves all people groups. God desires ALL ethnicities to join Him in His global mission. There is Hope! HIM is moving full steam ahead creating exposure for all ethnically diverse youth and adults to the Heartbeat of God, mentoring their role in the global mission of God. Derived from the Gospel of Matthew 22:37-39; 28:18-20. The mission is achieved by:
• Facilitating Awareness to relevant missiology issues and mission strategies in ethnically diverse urban communities
• Exploring Available partnerships, resources, and global opportunities
• Coaching Action plans for personal role development in the Mission of God.
