What is Cross-Cultural Missions
Since our inception in 2003, CIM Canada has been committed to cross-cultural missions. This is our mandate and we have effectively shared the gospel in this manner. But what exactly is cross-cultural missions? I am often asked this question in my travels. In a broad sense, cross-cultural missions is sharing the gospel message to a culture that is not your own. I am a CBC (Canadian Born Chinese), so sharing the news of Jesus Christ to Asians that are not CBC is cross cultural missions. Millennials sharing to Gen Alpha is cross cultural missions. Sharing with the homeless may be considered cross-cultural missions. At CIM Ministries, currently, we are sharing cross-culturally to the Roma people group in Eastern Europe and to rural tribes in Western Africa. Those are the people groups that we have been called to minister to. Of course, if we meet people who are not part of those groups, and they want to know more about Jesus, we will share with them too.
The goal of cross-cultural missions is to share the love of Christ, build relationships, serve those in need and ultimately bring transformation to the lives we come into contact with. It is not an easy mission as we can not impose our culture that we know and grew up with as the correct and only way to do things. We must learn the culture of the people group that are ministering to and work hand in hand with that culture. At CIM, we build relationships with partnerships in countries that we go to and also learn the different cultures through interactions with the people in that culture. We also consistently go back to the same villages and people groups to solidify the relationships and to learn more about their culture.
(In northern Ghana, some cultures will gift you with goats and yams after you share the gospel)
(Life in a Roma village in Albania)
There are many reasons why cross-cultural missions is important. Firstly, it allows us to bring the gospel to all people groups and nations fulfilling the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20 and is the key verse for our organization. There is nothing greater than introducing someone to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Secondly, it allows us to build relationships and overcome cultural barriers. I can honestly say that some of my closest friendships are in cross cultural settings built on my many trips overseas. These relationships are not superficial. They go much deeper than that with Christ being at the centre of the relationships. I also view things now from a worldly perspective instead of just a CBC North American point of view. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for the many times I have been submerged in cross-cultural settings and the relationships I have built.
Cross-cultural missions is also very Biblical in nature. Aside from the Great Commission, its roots may be traced back to the Old Testament. In Genesis 12:3, God says to Abraham that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him. This sets the stage for a mission that transcends all ethnic and cultural boundaries. In Isaiah 49:6, it says, “ I will make you a light to the nations, to bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
At CIM, cross-cultural missions is at the core of who we are. Not only have I seen it change the lives of the cultures we minister to, but also in the lives of those who have went. Many that have joined short term missions trips overseas have returned many times. Some have committed to be International workers, missions department leaders, deacons, and pastors. Others pray for our missions fields on a regular basis or give financially so we can continue with the ministries God has entrusted us to.
You, too, may experience cross-cultural missions through CIM. Over the Easter season, a STM team from First Alliance Church in Calgary went to visit our International Worker, Janice. They are the supporting church for Janice. You may click on the following link to see how a cross-cultural STM is like: https://youtu.be/bSGlbT5Ul4I
Pray for our missions fields. Join one of our STM teams. Give of your finances. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you are already called to be on the mission field.
Rev. Isaac Quan
Executive Director, CIM Ministries
To subscribe to our YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/@cimcanada1148
We also have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/cimcanada/
To read our International Worker Janice’s blogs.
https://www.cimcanada.org/janice-ministry-updates
Janice and her family are currently in Canada for home assignment from June-September.
June Financials 2025
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. The invasion rages on and innocent lives are lost each day. Pray for House of Mercy as they take care of refugees, physically and spiritually. Pray for peace talks and for a ceasefire. There has been much confusion regarding this process.
Pray for guidance and direction for our next steps for our Roma Ministry. Pray for the planning of sending a STM team to North Macedonia and Serbia scheduled for September 14-October 7. If anyone is interested in more information about the STM, please contact us at cimcanadaoffice@gmail.com.
Pray for the pastors and teachers that we support in Ghana. Pray for fruitful ministry and God’s provision for each pastor’s family needs. Pray for the conflict to end in the Nkwanta region where Pastor Gideon oversees. The tribal conflict has gotten worse and Pastor Gideon and family have had to relocate to Kechiebi for now.
Pray for Janice in Ghana as she continues with her ministry as our International Worker in Ghana. Pray for her home assignment in Canada from June-September.
Pray for the finances of CIM Ministries. The economic situation in Canada may become very unstable with the uncertainty of a tariff trade war with the United States resulting possibly with less donors. Pray for new donors and a healthy general fund to run our ministries. Praise God that our financial situation has improved over the last year. In order to run our ministries effectively, we are currently seeking monthly donors. We encourage donors to give to our General Fund so we can distribute the funds where the needs are the greatest. Click here to donate.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking for an Executive Director and Director of Ministry.