Pastor Steven Grant with Joe Yu and Clément Tendo
One of our most significant priorities as believers is to invest in raising the next generation of Christian leaders. First Church has embraced the ministry of mentoring pastors-in-training who are completing their Master of Divinity degrees at multiple seminaries, including Westminster Theological Seminary. Pastor Steven Grant personally chose two students to join us during Holy Week; Clément Tendo and Joe Yu were here for an intensive one-week internship. They received practical training and skill development in areas of ministry that graduate schools cannot provide. We pray that this experience will help and equip them to move others toward a deeper faith. The Epistle asked these pastors-to-be to share some of their journey with us.
How did your internship experience impact your view of ministry?
Clément: While I can say a lot, from my interaction with members and leaders at First Church, I learned that the church can be a big community and, at the same time, intimate. I was delighted to see how people know and care for each other. I loved seeing how the leadership was in sync during the staff meeting as well as when we met them in their offices. As I graduate from seminary this May, I pray that the Lord will direct me to a place where the church leadership and the fellowship of believers emulate Christian unity as the gospel lays it out.
Joe: From a big-picture perspective, I appreciated learning the ins and outs of a large church. I was amazed to see the many faces and stories that come together at First Church. Coming from a tri-lingual church context (Mandarin, Cantonese, and English), though we strive to develop inter-congregational relationships wherever possible, it is challenging to stay unified due to language and cultural differences. I appreciated the professionality of the staff and leaders, which never overshadowed their hospitality as the church welcomed Clément and me with open arms. Overall, I was blessed to see how God’s Word provided a strong foundation for every team involved in the church’s life.
What was the most surprising thing you experienced at First Church?
Clément: I was surprised to see a Presbyterian Church in the PCUSA still faithful to the ministry of the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ and in cordial collaboration with churches from other denominations. It also reminded me that… God preserves His people even in places where it is hard to hold fast to Christian convictions. I praise God for what He continues to do at First Church.
Joe: Considering the size of First Church, I was delighted to experience the warmth of a small church. When I sat in on the staff meeting, I thought it would be all business talk, especially as it was Holy Week and there were over 30 people present. But, to my surprise, as each person shared ministry updates and even life updates, I was pleased to experience the care and thoughtful prayers for each person in the room. Throughout the week, I became an expert at sharing my testimony and the burden for ministry (working with youth and college-aged persons) because everyone was interested in getting to know me and hearing about how God was working in my life.
What would you share with the next group of interns, if possible?
Clément: I enjoyed the experience beyond my expectations. I pray that God will continue to bless the work of First Church. Spiritually and ministerially, I felt enriched. From the first moments I had with our hosts, Bill and Zarie, to all the people who welcomed us into their homes, Dr. Grant and the whole leadership team, and all the church members, it was a blessing. I’m grateful to God for his work in and through this internship program. Please, don’t give up doing good for in due time, you will reap if you do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9).
Joe: Take notes! I became best friends with my iPad that week as I brought it to every meeting. There were many memorable turns of phrases and plenty of helpful advice for ministry from the pastors and especially from the church staff. While I deeply appreciated speaking with the pastors about preaching and church leadership, speaking with the other staff members provided a well-rounded perspective of how each piece is vital to the whole. The practical ministry experience I gained in one week was invaluable. Oh, and get a grouper sandwich if you’ve never had one before!
You’ve had the opportunity to experience Christianity in various cultures; what can you share with our readers about how those experiences differ from Christianity in the United States?
Clément: I grew up in Goma, a volcanic city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I had the opportunity to live in Uganda, where I attended college, after which I came to the United States. It has been a blessing to worship in different languages and cultures and with different people groups. I have seen that while all churches share their passion for God’s Word, the expressions of worship in Africa and the United States differ. Africans tend to be more expressive through their emotions as they respond in songs and to the gospel’s message. The churches I have visited in the U.S. have styles of worship that are less expressive and more content-oriented. Some churches in Africa sometimes hold extemporaneous services that can go up to three hours, while some in the U.S. tend to be more liturgical and time-bound, with Sunday worship lasting one hour. In Africa, we have joked that Americans have watches while Africans have time. I think this is due to the diversity in the body of Christ across the world.
From my experience, we can learn from the global church; that is, the African church can learn from the American church and vice versa. It has been said that the African church is a mile wide but an inch deep. And one can say that the American church (at least some congregations) is a mile deep but an inch wide. On both sides, there is a tendency to be one-sided. Yet, we must be united in the gospel’s truth as we grow in our love for God and our neighbors, which comes out in worship and fellowship expression. So, as a church, we ought to pray for depth and width and both order and ardor. We are to manage time well and use watches not as masters but as servants to help us keep time as we glorify and enjoy God. I pray that Christ’s body would grow in the grace and knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18) as we continue to love the Lord with our whole being (Deuteronomy 6). May the God of Shalom continue to be with you, First Church!
Joe: I grew up and currently serve in a large Chinese church mainly composed of immigrants from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, as well as their kids (of which I am a part). One of the greatest challenges I’ve noticed, working with the youth for the past eight years, is the cultural barrier between the first and second generations. Many kids have significant communication challenges at home due to language and cultural differences. At home, they often speak a Chinese dialect and are immersed in Asian culture, while at school, they speak English and live immersed in Western culture. Consequentially many students find it easy to compart-mentalize church as part of the home category—something important to their parents but not to them. Having experienced this struggle firsthand and working with students experiencing these same challenges, I’m glad to say that God is nevertheless the one who worked in my life and will do so in theirs as we grow in personally knowing Him.
