After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2
On Saturday, December 10, we had our second annual Ethnic pastors and wives Christmas Banquet. Bob Cook, pastor of the Church at Grace Park, helped sponsor and provide catering for the event. We had a fun and festive evening celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world, complete with gift-giving and prayers for the nations.
We celebrated the arrival of Oscar and Miriam Aguilar. Oscar is the pastor emeritus of Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida that continues to meet in East Nashville. Oscar, as many of you know, suffered a stroke this past January, and it was no small miracle that he was able to be at this event and walk up the stairs of the associational office after being confined to a wheelchair for most of the year. Miriam gave testimony to how grateful they were to the association and to individual churches that have loved and helped their family in this difficult period. Please keep the Aguilars in your prayers.
Pastor Zhang of the Nashville Chinese Baptist Church was in attendance with his wife. Pastor Joshua, as he is known by many, gave an inspirational update from his church. Although it is the only Chinese Baptist church in Nashville, they continue to multiply. He shared his heart and vision to try to reach the nearly 20,000 Chinese speakers in Nashville. Their church has an open position for a youth minister who desires to minister in English but in a cross-cultural environment within Nashville. Write me if you know anyone interested.
David and Hom Soukasene were also at the party. David used to pastor a Laotian church that was based in Nashville, as they are from Loas in Southesast Asia, but God has really given them a heart to lead an international church that reaches out to the refugee community in Smyrna and Antioch areas. They also minister to many MTSU students.
These are just a few of the pastors and wives that were at the banquet that represent the nations who have gathered in and around Nashville. Both Bob Cook and my family were deeply blessed by giving these ministers a memorable evening. My question is this, which churches in Nashville wish to share in this blessing next year?
Brett Boesch, International Ministry Strategist