Faith Victory Ministries International is located in the heart of Chicago’s Edgewater community. The neighborhood is comprised of nearly 57,000 people and recent (2010) demographics indicate it is 54.65 percent white; 14.34 percent black; 16.49 percent Latino; 11.65 percent Asian, and 2.88 percent other.
The diversity of God’s world is reflected in FVMI’s church congregation, and our church fully recognizes that cultural and ethnic differences are gifts from God, and we can all learn from each other while on this earthly journey. We also recognize there is excellence in each person, as human kind was made in the image of God, and we serve an awesome, perfect, holy God.
Our Father, in his infinite wisdom, decided which “tribe,” which nation, which ethnic group we would be born into, and all of His decisions are good. As a member of a tribe, we are called to reach other tribes with the compelling gospel message of Jesus Christ and to join as one, as ambassadors for Christ’s glory.
As believers, our individuality should not be a barrier to us loving and celebrating each other. We celebrate this by celebrating the nations represented at FVMI on Victory International Friends and Family Day.
Some refer to the United States as a “melting pot” where all ethnic groups, cultures, and customs blend into one another. However, a “tossed salad” is a more accurate description, because although there are many ingredients in the salad, each one offers a unique taste worth savoring—although they are in the same bowl. This is an accurate depiction of the diversity we celebrate on our church’s International Day.
With each ethnic group participating in a worship experience, it is a prophetic picture of the love God, the Father, has for all human kind. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified, so all can be saved, regardless as to socioeconomic status, age, gender, ethnicity, or nationality.
Scripture relating to diversity and God’s view on it are below:
Galatians 3:28 (KJV)
38 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Revelations 14:6-7 (KJV)
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all thing whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.