Befriending Neighbors
/Concordia Seminary launches the CFNA Ministry based Befriending Neighbors Online Curriculum
CFNA ministry started as a cross-cultural outreach initiative led by mission-focused Lutheran believers and church workers since the early 2000s. Their desire was to engage the nations coming into our neighborhoods and inviting them into a relationship with Jesus and His living community of faith. The mode of invitation was based on service and relationship building, and the goal was to engage Lutheran believers to be in mission to the foreigner in our midst (Lev. 19:33-34 – “When a foreigner resides among you in your land…love them as yourself, for you were a foreigner in Egypt.”)
This effort of CFNA to encourage believers to be in cross-cultural mission to their new neighbors recently received a boost at the Multi-Ethnic Symposium at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. On May 6th, CFNA had the honor of presenting its ministry to a national audience of pastors, professors, students, and church leaders at the Symposium. With nearly 100 participants in attendance, CFNA was invited to present at the afternoon plenary session, highlighting its Christ-centered work among refugees and immigrants in the city. After an introductory overview of CFNA work, the session presentation saw a panel discussion with CFNA’s current Board Chair (Dr. Judith Meyer), two former Board Chairs (Dr. Allan Buckman & Dr. Douglas Rutt) and myself (Stanish) as the Executive Director, responding to practical ministry questions raised by the audience. The session facilitated sharing of both the challenges and God-given opportunities that arise as diverse people settle in the U.S.
A significant moment during the event was the Seminary’s official release of Befriending Neighbors, a free online video-based curriculum developed in partnership with CFNA. Designed to equip congregations to engage meaningfully with their immigrant neighbors, this resource, made possible through a grant from Biblical Charities Foundation, includes video modules (4 sessions and 9 short videos), discussion guides, personal reflection prompts, and tools for forming ministry action plans. The curriculum is now available for use by churches and ministry groups nationwide, for Bible studies and/or small group study, thereby offering a practical way for congregations to begin or strengthen outreach among New Americans. Interested believers and congregations can access this free resource by creating a user profile and accessing the curriculum at:
https://befriendingneighbors.concordiatheology.org/
As we thank Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (especially Dr. Erik Herrmann, Dr. Kevin Golden, & Mrs. Jessica Bordeleau) and Biblical Charities for this blessing, our prayer is that believers will access and use this free online resource to deepen their faith and Christian witness in their increasingly changing neighborhoods. All this done in the anticipation of the day when the church reflecting its scriptural Revelation vision (Rev. 7:9) stands together in worshiping the Lamb on the throne!
By Rev. Dr. Stanish Stanley, Executive Director
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