The Power of Leverage

This is Part 5 of my Cultural Crossroads series. In earlier posts, I explored how ethnic diaspora churches began as places of refuge, the cultural and generational gaps they face, the resistance they encounter, and explored the biblical doctrine of Missio Dei that must drive these communities to fulfill the Great Commission.

Throughout history, people have used the power of leverage to build, move, and innovate. Egyptians used it to build pyramids, armies used it to build war machines like trebuchets, children use it on playgrounds to lift heavier kids on a seesaw. The power of leverage is simple: the right application of force, strategically positioned, can achieve results far beyond what seems possible. In the same way, ethnic churches possess incredible power, and if leveraged correctly, can produce transformative results.

While ethnic churches face many challenges, as explored in the previous sections, they also possess unique strengths that can be leveraged to advance God’s Kingdom. When immigrant believers recognize that their presence in their new homeland is not merely about building a better life, but about fulfilling a divine calling, their churches shift from being cultural enclaves to dynamic mission hubs. As Jehu Hanciles observes:

“Modern migration movement is also a missionary movement, based on the fundamental premise that every Christian migrant is a potential missionary… The new Christian immigrants and their descendants will clearly have a lasting impact on the American religious landscape… the new immigrant congregations are performing a vital missionary function by their very presence”.1

Ethnic churches have the potential to be not only centers of cultural preservation but also bearers of the life-giving gospel, reaching their communities in ways uniquely shaped by their heritage. The very “gaps” they navigate, whether it’s cultural, social, generational, or linguistic, can become bridges that connect diverse communities and advance the Missio Dei. The following post will explore how these unique strengths can be leveraged to share the gospel, enrich American Christianity, and contribute to a vibrant national mosaic.

According to anthropologist Michael Rynkiewich, “weakening the family threatens both individuals and societies.”2 (93). Unfortunately, U.S. is becoming a country where this threat has become a reality. Over the past several decades, the institution of family has been deliberately weakened through both popular media and public policy. Broken families, single motherhood, and divorce have become the norm, leaving a generation to grapple with instability and the loss of the foundational values once upheld by strong family units.

While family is increasingly fragile in American society, ethnic churches often stand out as compelling examples of strong family values. Data consistently shows that immigrants place grater emphasis on marriage, childbearing, and multigenerational living than native-born Americans. According to the Pew Research Center, 56% of immigrant women aged 15-44 are married, compared to only 36% of U.S.-born women.3 Additionally, 82.6% of children with at least one foreign-born parent live with two parents, compared to 69.5% of children with native-born parents.4 When it comes to having children, a 2017 study found that “the birth rate for immigrant women was 77.4 births per 1,000 women, compared to 59.2 for U.S.-born women.”5

This strength goes beyond numbers. It is deeply woven into the fabric of immigrant communities. Family is not merely a biological connection, but a foundational structure that supports, nurtures, and sustains people through hardship or major life events. Because most immigrants come from collectivist societies, their families model a way of life that prioritizes communal well-being over personal independence. Castleberry observes, “Immigrant families have a lot to teach native-born families about what an extended family looks like. The American household gets increasingly more complicated, and the example immigrants offer comes at an opportune time, as ‘boomerang kids’ now return home after college, postponing marriage until twenty-eight or thirty.”6

The strength of immigrant families extends beyond their own communities and provides significant leverage for ethnic churches to share a picture of God’s Kingdom. One pastor of a multi-ethnic church in Sacramento with many first-generation Slavic immigrant families, observes that “there is a hunger in our culture for family and traditional values.”7 He notes that at a time when many American families are fractured, ethnic churches, rooted in strong family values, can serve as a place of stability and belonging. By modeling biblical family values and fostering intergenerational bonds, they offer a compelling witness to a society in need of familial renewal.

Most immigrants come from collectivist societies where community takes precedence over personal autonomy, and this deeply shapes the culture of their churches. Unlike many American large churches, where anonymity is common and attendees can slip in and out unnoticed, ethnic churches embody a communal approach to faith. “Individualism may seem like the natural human default model for postmodern America and Europe,” Joseph Castleberry notes, “but the majority of the world’s cultures place far less importance on the individual self than Americans do.”8 This mindset aligns closely with the biblical model of God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments, where the well-being of the community was prioritized over individual pursuits.

This emphasis on community is not just theoretical, it plays out in the daily rhythms of church life. For instance, one member of a predominantly Hispanic church in the Apostolic Assembly Faith denomination, described how his church fosters deep connection and accountability, “In order to become a member of the church, the leadership highly recommends attending a cell group. Each cell group keeps track of members, meeting minutes, and reports back to the elders.”9 To those with a Western, individualistic worldview, this structure may feel intrusive. But for this diaspora church, it ensures that no one remains a mere visitor for long. Every person is quickly integrated, cared for, and expected to participate in the life of the church.

In an era when many churches struggle with disengaged members, ethnic churches offer a compelling vision of biblical community that nurtures belonging, accountability, and spiritual growth. Their strong communal mindset not only preserves deep congregational connections but also serves as a model for revitalizing church life in America. Joseph Castleberry envisions a hopeful future in which ethnic churches help restore these values:

Readers familiar with America’s churches in the past will recognize, and perhaps pine for, what we have lost through stagnant church isolation and megachurch anonymity. Immigrants and their churches offer a living memory of America’s past values. As immigrants and their adult children and grandchildren make up an increasing percentage of the American population, their family and ecclesial collectivism will take America back to the future.10

Ethnic churches possess a rich cultural heritage that, though often overlooked, underappreciated, or even avoided by second-generation immigrants, holds immense potential for gospel witness. These congregations embody a unique blend of faith and culture. Their worship spaces reflect both their historical heritage and contemporary expressions of faith that are contextualized to their local communities. These cultural distinctives, when practiced with wisdom, can serve as a bridge for reaching people who might feel disconnected from mainstream church.

Jehu Hanciles rightly observes that “the new immigrants also bring with them new devotional expressions and spirituality.”11 These expressions of devotion and spirituality, when rooted in the Scriptures, offer fresh avenues for gospel witness. Rather than blending into mainstream American church models, ethnic churches can bring distinct worship expressions, through music, liturgy, and communal traditions. Every culture highlights different aspects of the gospel, making ethnic churches vital contributors to a fuller understanding of faith. By leaning into their distinct identities rather than suppressing them, these immigrant churches not only preserver their heritage but also create opportunities to engage the broader community in meaningful and fresh ways.

The resilience and innovation of immigrant communities shape both their integration into American society and their religious practices. The decision to immigrate requires courage, adaptability, and creativity, qualities that are often reflected in the way immigrants establish themselves in a new country.

For example, immigrants make up about 14% of the U.S. workforce but account for approximately 25% of new business creation.12 Their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit is evident in their economic contributions, as they owned approximately 3.5 million businesses in the United States as of 2021, marking an 11.5% increase from 2016, and generated $95.6 billion in business income.13 These numbers highlight the resilience of immigrant communities. They are driven to create, innovate, build, and seize opportunities in ways that not only support their families, but also contribute to the economic and social fabric of the country.

Joseph Castleberry captures this drive for innovation, writing, “Immigrants will often work as many jobs as they can find, putting in eighty-hour weeks if they can get enough work to do so. They like to work, because work brings them a sense of pride and allows them to take a proactive approach to solving their problems.”14 This drive is rooted in both necessity and a deep-seated desire to provide a better future, one that was not a reality in their homeland. This same determination fuels their contributions to the church, where they apply resilience, ingenuity, and work ethic to both ministry and mission.

The pastor from Sacramento mentioned above has seen firsthand how this resilience translates into faith and ministry. He observed that many Christian immigrants, especially those from persecuted or oppressed backgrounds, possess a deeply ingrained sacrificial attitude. “For them, Christianity is not just a belief system, it is a way of life that comes with a cost. They have strong and resilient faith. They understand that faith and ministry come with a cost. Christianity for them means having a sacrificial attitude.” By leveraging this spirit of resilience and innovation, these churches have the potential to launch impactful ministries and find creative ways to engage their neighborhoods with the gospel.

Ethnic diaspora churches may sometimes feel disheartened because of limited resources or cultural and linguistic barriers, believing these challenges hinder their ability to make a significant impact. However, just as leverage allows small forces to create great movement, these very challenges can become strengths when strategically positioned for God’s mission with the power and help of the Holy Spirit. Their strong family values, communal mindset, rich heritage, and resilient spirit provide them with tools that, when applied correctly, can make a powerful impact.

Thank you for reading Part 5 of the series Cultural Crossroads: From Challenges to Impact - Ethnic Diaspora Churches in the American Mosaic, an ongoing journey into how immigrant churches navigate cultural gaps, preserve their heritage, and engage their communities to make a lasting gospel impact in the United States.