No Invasions

In recent days we have seen Russia invade Georgia. Too often we have seen US-based churches and ministries crash into other countries in the same manner, and with the same negative results.

Far too often we have seen American-based churches and missions roll into another country with a lot of swagger and bravado, as if they were an invading army, but only to fall flat on their faces, and having accomplished a whole lot of nothing.

Swagger + Bravado + "I Know It All Better Than The Locals" Attitude = No Success

Here at Flamingo Road Church in Lima, our membership is about 50% Peruvians and 50% foreigners (from all over the world). We are very deliberate and intentional about including many Peruvians in our church leadership here because: 1) We don't want to be looked upon as an invading army that has crashed upon the shores of Lima with a take-over-everything attitude, and 2) The Peruvians who are part of our leadership team are priceless to us in terms of what they offer us with respect to wisdom, insight, direction, and advice about local culture and norms, both in the local church and in society as a whole. Simply put, we could not be doing what we are doing in Peru without them.

We have learned that when you respect and embrace the local culture and the local people wherever you go, God will bless you for it.