This week, I’ve been reflecting on how, despite the diversity of expression across cultures, the true essence of Christianity transcends these differences. Christianity was always intended to unite a global community. I’ve personally witnessed this vibrant diversity in worship across regions like Africa, Asia and Latin America. In these places, Christianity, though initially spread through European colonisation, has taken deep root in the faith and flourished with an undeniable zeal. What strikes me is that while the forms of worship may be distinct, shaped by each culture’s unique expression, there remains a unifying spirit that weaves through every nation. This spirit reflects the inclusive nature of the gospel as intended by Jesus Christ. It’s a gospel that not only thrives within different cultural contexts but is also enriched by them, showing that Christianity, while diverse in practice, is unified in purpose and spirit.

Revelation 7:9 reminds us that “every nation and tribe and people and language” will stand before God in the end times. This shows us that God does not seek to diminish our diverse cultural identities or modes of expression but rather envisions a harmonious gathering of all peoples, each maintaining their unique characteristics while united in reverence before Him. Christianity isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice; it embraces diverse ways of worship and expression. The diverse cultures God has bestowed upon us are not meant to divide, but to deepen our collective experience of the Christian faith. 

A gospel artist I enjoy listening to is Simiane, a white French singer who was drawn to Africa from an early age. She once remarked how Africa helped shape her music ministry. In an interview, she expressed her deep love for Africa but also shared that she never felt inclined to move there permanently because, as she put it, “God made me French for a reason.” She felt a divine calling to return to France and bring back what she had learned amongst African communities, to spark a “revolution” in her own country. This story highlights how certain communities, such as those in Africa, can help revitalise the Christian body globally.

Arguably, one of the greatest challenges faced by those who were brought from Africa to America as slaves was the complete suppression of their cultural expression and the imposition of a Westernised version of God. This portrayal, distorted by colonisers who misused biblical principles for their own gain, often depicted God as someone who condoned slavery. As I mentioned last week, many of these colonisers claimed to be establishing the Christian faith, yet they manipulated it to justify their actions, further deepening the spiritual and cultural oppression of the enslaved.

However, as I mentioned in my last article, despite this oppression, some individuals came to know the truth for themselves by reading the very Bibles given to them by their white oppressors. It is no surprise that many African-American pastors rose up to preach the word of God in its purest form, with no agenda other than to spread the life-saving message of the gospel. Their motivation wasn’t greed or power; it was a deep understanding of a God who did not intend for His children to endure such suffering, but to instead experience the richness of the Kingdom of God. They deeply grasped the truth of Bible verses like Galatians 3:28, where it states, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In addition, many African Americans turned to Methodist and Baptist churches, where spiritual leaders preached against slavery and where Black people were given roles of responsibility in the church, including positions as ministers and pastors. These churches became key places of liberation for African Americans, where they were free to embrace the richness of their native culture through dancing, singing and expression that were not contrary to God’s directive, as perhaps perceived by colonisers. 

From these churches, ministers such as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged, deeply rooted in their Christian beliefs of a liberation in Christ. King’s unwavering commitment to justice was driven by his understanding that all people are created equal in the eyes of God. His faith enabled him to distinguish between the actions of flawed human beings and the divine truth of a God who values equality without any notion of superiority or inferiority based on ethnicity. A clear example of King’s Christian approach is seen in the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom. He urged the crowd to embrace non-violent resistance, referencing Peter’s violence during Jesus’ arrest (John 18) and Jesus’ command to put away the sword. This understanding inspired King’s commitment to peaceful civil rights activism, following Jesus’ example of non-violence and love in the face of injustice.

Today, it is worth noting that the landscape of religion in America is particularly rich and poignant in areas where countercultural and radical preachers rose up to defend civil rights and biblical truth. This is evident in the flourishing of churches in certain parts of America that uphold these values. Pastors in these vibrant communities can be preaching to hundreds on Sunday mornings, welcoming congregations of all ethnicities. Through their efforts, they have established a profound global influence, sharing a gospel that resonates universally and speaks to the hearts of all people.

As I continue this series, next week I will explore how the gospel has also taken root in transformative ways in parts of Asia and South America. In these regions, the same spirit has inspired the rise of ministries with a significant global impact, drawing many into the faith. While there may be concerns about Christianity’s decline in certain regions, it is important to explore where the faith is growing in innovative and dynamic ways.