Why ESL?

Why ESL classes are one of the most effective ways to reach immigrants with the Gospel.

One of the most basic strategies in mission work is to find a need in the community that is not being adequately met and to create a ministry to meet that need. Jesus is the greatest example of this. Most often He began with the physical need of the person and used it as a bridge to meet the person’s spiritual need. He fed the five thousand with bread and fish along with the Word of Truth. He forgave the sins the lame man and then healed his body.

One of the most critical volunteer needs at LINC continues to be teachers for ESL classes. While it’s never been necessary to speak English to be Lutheran, we continue to be amazed at how great a tool the English language can be for discipleship. In each new cultural ministry – Hispanic, Chinese, Korean – ESL classes attract the most number of new opportunities for sharing the Gospel.

English as a Second Language becomes effective as a discipleship tool only when the following factors are present:

• There is a genuine passion to share the Gospel with the community and make disciples
• There is a willingness to go the extra step to build a meaningful relationship with those being ministered to
• The church doesn’t see social ministry as an end in and of itself but a tool and a means for discipleship
• There is a direct connection between the ministry in community and the Word and Sacrament ministry in worship

LINC is involved with all levels of ESL classes at Centro de Fe y Esperanza. Trinity, downtown and San Pedro are collaborating to offer classes at San Pedro. St. Andrew has started classes for their community which is predominately Korean and Memorial-Katy is offering ESL classes as part of their Christ Clinic outreach ministry. Family of Faith and Christ Memorial are also locations for English classes.

How will you serve – as teacher, tutor, teacher support, childcare? It takes a lot of work and patience to make disciples. It is good that God has given us the tools with which to do it.