{"id":17252,"date":"2018-02-08T18:09:21","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T02:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/?p=17252"},"modified":"2018-02-12T11:41:33","modified_gmt":"2018-02-12T19:41:33","slug":"how-has-deep-listening-and-transformational-change-affirmed-our-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pnwumc.org\/news\/how-has-deep-listening-and-transformational-change-affirmed-our-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"How has deep listening and transformational change affirmed our mission?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Pastor Lyn Rush<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lyn Rush serves Pinoy Van-Port Ministries in Vancouver, Wash. This new church start serves Filipino Americans and immigrants with a keen focus on social justice for all. In part two of this essay, Rush acknowledges “people are people”, dispels the notion all marchers are destructive, and reaffirms her commitment to social justice through peace. (Click here to read, part 1<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.)<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Members of Pinoy Van-Port Ministries’ planning team gathered on November 4, 2017 to collaborate and plan for upcoming ministry events.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Part II:\u00a0God is alive in the midst of everything we do.<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

DEEP LISTENING + RISK-TAKING > DOUBTING<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In our first planning meeting at a coffee shop<\/strong><\/span>, we\u2019ve committed to exploring the possibilities of bridging all these differences<\/strong><\/span> and challenges thus far by trusting God\u2019s guidance. We continue to do so not as the typical traditional church<\/strong><\/span>. It will be unusual, flexible, multicultural, engaging, while seeking justice<\/strong><\/span> towards peacemaking without limits.<\/p>\n

As I help build a community for faith in Jesus Christ<\/strong><\/span> with Pinoy Van-Port Ministries<\/strong><\/span>, I\u2019ve found that \u201cpeople are people\u201d<\/strong><\/span>. Processing what people like and dislike involves deep listening<\/strong><\/span>. Some will say that you are going in the \u201cwrong direction\u201d<\/strong><\/span> or even the \u201cwrong crowd\u201d<\/strong><\/span>. Or someone will say, \u201cYou will never have a Filipino Church.\u201d<\/strong><\/span> But part of risk-taking<\/strong><\/span> is believing it can be done if we allow God to be our guide<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Everyone defines social justice<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in their own way, whether derived from a dictionary<\/strong><\/span> or relating it to Jesus\u2019 life<\/strong><\/span> and teachings. In our ministry, we approach human rights concerns for the people in the Philippines<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. We make connections with immigrants\u2019 lives in the community when it comes to labor and wages.<\/p>\n

My appeal: enough of the doubts<\/strong><\/span>. Pray first and then ask, \u201cWhat does Jesus want us to do in our lives?\u201d<\/strong><\/span> This is a challenge for all of us who professed being Christians.<\/p>\n

Remember the verse, Matthew 5: 46-48 (NIV)<\/strong><\/span>?<\/p>\n

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Members of Pinoy Van-Port Ministries (Vancouver, Wash.) participated in the Anti-Imperialism, Anti-Militarism and Anti-War Protest in Toronto, Canada on August 6, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYES!\u201d TO ADVOCACY<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While working with young people and young adults<\/strong><\/span> for social justice, right away you feel the tension<\/strong><\/span> on other people\u2019s faces of those against human rights advocates. I\u2019ve found that walking with this group has been a very peaceful, organized, and passionate<\/strong><\/span> protest experience with citizens coming from different countries. Together, we\u2019ve marched for freedom from imperialism<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, the call for (racial and criminal justice) equality<\/strong><\/span>, equal & fair wages for immigrant workers<\/strong><\/span>, freedom for activist prisoners<\/strong><\/span>, and a voice for the oppressed<\/strong><\/span> and other human rights violations.<\/p>\n

We are NOT the stereotypes<\/strong><\/span> you might see on the TV news of rallyists who destroy property. These voices want to be loved, protected and accepted<\/strong><\/span>. \u201cYes!\u201d to human rights advocates who march and rally!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The work for social justice starts with seeing everyone with a good heart<\/strong><\/span>. In our past gatherings, despite the distance, everyone shows up, open to new possibilities:<\/p>\n