The Gift of English

Language Ministries: Abraham Arevalo
Thursday, January 1, 2009

"English is a hard language to learn". Many people all over the world would agree with that statement, including myself. As I write these lines I need to think and carefully evaluate every word I am using. I need to be aware of sentence structure and word meanings. Also, my writing needs to be culturally sound and clear to achieve its intention.

I was born in Mexico and learning English is one of the most valuable tools God has given me to accomplish my ministry in Kansas. Even though I have a lot of work to do on my English Skills, I thank the Lord for all I have learned and I treasure it greatly.

We live in a nation so blessed by God that many others from all over the world want to enjoy these blessings and immigrate to our country. As a result of that, more than 50 million people in America speak other languages than English. Eighty-five percent of the elementary schools in the United States have provided some type of translation for the parents of their students. There are many in our community eager to improve their English proficiency to be successful at work, to be a more involved parent, or to seek a better education.

Teaching another person to read and write English is a wonderful way to show the love of Christ. ESL (English as a Second Language) training is being offered to anyone who has an interest in this ministry. The training is being promoted by HOKSBA. It is offered as a tool to all of the churches in our Association to reach the people of many nations that live in our area.

What are the benefits of this ministry? You will give other people a gift that potentially can impact their lives in many different ways:

  • You will give them the opportunity to be more integrated in our community.
  • You will give them the gift of communicating with doctors about their health issues in a private manner and without an interpreter.
  • You will give them the possibility of helping their kids with school work, the ability to talk to teachers and to be more involved on every aspect of their children's education.
  • You will give them the tools to pursue their dreams of better employment, to develop a business idea, or to go back to school to complete a degree.
  • You will help people to protect themselves from frauds and scams targeting immigrants with little knowledge of the English language.

More importantly, you will be used by God to open that person's heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When they see Jesus through your actions, they will be compelled to invite Jesus into their own lives.

Would you consider coming to our ESL training? It will be held from January 15th through the 17th at Pleasantview Baptist Church in Derby. For more information you can reach me at (316) 371-4312 or abraham@hoksba.org. It will be our privilege to see you there!

Abraham Arevalo is the Hispanic Church Planter Strategist for the Heart of Kansas Southern Baptist Association.