Our staff had the pleasure to meet Eoghan Cosgrave, a missions mobilizer with Alliance World Fellowship. He lives in Toulouse, France, with his wife Brigette. Within their church, 49 nations are represented, and 26 different languages are spoken. He describes it as "a foretaste of Heaven." 

During a meeting with our worship arts and communications departments, Eoghan discussed the beauty of multicultural ministry... and its challenges.

Creating a Safe Place

Eoghan described France as "the crossroad of nations," so translation access is one of the major challenges facing Eoghan's church. And this crossroad isn't just marked by linguistic barriers, but also different cultural lenses through which congregants view the world around them. Whether through an American lens, a French lens, a Moroccan lens–you get the point–we bring different perspectives to the table. Because of this, Eoghan strives to make the church a space where questions can be asked without condemnation; where dialogue is not just encouraged but practiced around a table with fellow believers. 

He mentioned one practice, in particular, the church incorporates. Eoghan calls it, "slow Bible reading." It's similar to Lectio Divina, a traditional monastic practice of scripture reading, meditation, and prayer intended to deepen relationship with God and increase the knowledge of God's Word.

Through "slow Bible reading," congregants of all different cultures are able to digest the text and unpack the ways they read the text within their culture of origin. Eoghan emphasized how important this practice is in understanding one another, their relationships with God, and the Biblical text. They're able to see anew when they're together than when they're on their own. As a result, Eoghan says, "Scripture comes alive." 

Next up: "Jesus Culture"

No, not the Christian worship band, Jesus Culture. Eoghan used this term to describe the culture of his church in Toulouse. Jesus Culture is formed when we ask questions like, "How did Jesus talk with those he encountered? How did he respond to those with whom there was disagreement? How did he care for the last, the least, and the lost?" and then seek to emulate them in our everyday lives.

The answers to those questions guide Eoghan and his church community. It all boils down to one thing: Love. Love for God, love for others. According to Jesus, "...on those two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

One time, Eoghan told an individual concerned for an unbelieving friend, "Jesus loves them. Therefore, we love them. They are welcome here." The individual's response was shock and awe. No judgment? No prerequisites for attendance? "It changed her life," he said.

That's Jesus Culture.

To Eoghan, this church culture is not formed solely by a set of doctrinal or belief statements, but by being with Jesus (personally and corporately), becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Near the end of the conversation, he mentioned not just "proclaiming the Gospel," but acting in ways that "tangibly preach the Gospel" to those we encounter every day; that through our words and actions, we embody our beliefs as we show others that there is a God who loves them.

And finally: Jump in! 

The beauty of our denomination is that we're connected with churches around the world. In fact, we provide opportunities for Alliance Church members to go to Toulouse and engage with church spaces like Eoghan's. That said, be on the lookout for ways you could go to France with Alliance Church in the future. Until then, learn more about Eoghan here or receive ministry updates from him and his wife, Brigitte via YouTube. 

He encouraged us at the end of the conversation to, "Come, see for yourself! Get a taste for the beauty of multiculturalism in a church space."