Multicultural ministry—listening to one another
VALLEY FORGE, PA (09/25/2025)—“Allelon” (Greek for “one another”) is the annual gathering organized by Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries (MBMM). This year’s event, held from September 18-20 under the theme “Listening to One Another’s Story,” was a space for listening across cultural, racial, and even faith boundaries. Listening was centered at the event as a “theological tool rooted in the character of God and in the ministry of Jesus Christ,” in the words of Rev. Dr. Mar Imsong, executive director of MBMM.
MBMM, a longtime mission partner of American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), serves the needs of immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts through the ACE Center for New Americans. It helps them achieve a path to self-sufficiency, inclusion, and active citizenship in their new communities. It also runs the Thriving Pastoral Ministry Program (TPMP), for pastors from diverse cultural backgrounds which equips pastors to thrive in their ministries in ways that celebrate their heritage.
ABHMS staff attending Allelon 2025 included Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri, Rev. Abigail Medina Betancourt, Rev. Daryn Stylianopoulos, and Rev. Mario Joseph (all members of the Intercultural Ministries Unit), as well as Rev. Dr. Anna Piela (Marketing and Communications). Piela also represented ABC Metro Chicago as one of its associate regional ministers. During the event, they practiced deep listening in their roles as panelists (Piela and Medina Betancourt), fishbowl facilitator (Onwubuariri), and cultural advocate (Stylianopoulos). ABHMS’ presence was strong in worship leadership as well. Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam, pastor of First Baptist Church in America and president of the ABHMS Board of Directors, delivered her sermon titled “Weaving God’s Love Across Cultures” on the second day. The final day’s sermon, preached by Onwubuariri, was titled “Hearts Burning, Eyes Opening — Peace Be Among Us.”
Allelon 2025 was fueled by inspiring conversations about the nature of deep listening, approaches to engaging those whose values are different than ours, hearing God in others’ stories, and paying attention to young people’s concerns. It was a unique opportunity for ABHMS staff to reflect on how the practice of deep listening helps them live into ABHMS’ priority of nurturing cultural and intercultural engagement to promote equitable and inclusive ministries.
“I’m grateful for MBMM for creating intercultural and interreligious brave spaces to promote active listening across divides, an essential skill in times of polarization,” said Medina-Betancourt. “MBMM got it right to focus on active, deep listening, particularly for bridge-making across differences, not only in this annual gathering but throughout the year,” said Onwubuariri.
The theme of Allelon led ABHMS staff to think about the importance of the skill from their ministry perspective. “Active listening is more than hearing words. It is the intentional act of giving another person my full attention,” said Joseph. They raised theological questions, too. “None of us is one-dimensional. It seems the question for those who follow Jesus is, ‘How then, will the fullness of our story meet the stories of our world with the love of God’s story?’” asked Stylianopoulos.
MBMM staff were proud as they watched attendees engage in deep intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Sharing their thoughts on what they had hoped to accomplish, they painted a vision of a world full of Christ’s love for every single person. “Allelon is meant to cultivate unity and openness to difference,” commented Ben Imsong, program coordinator at MBMM ACE Center for New Americans. Tahina Pierre, MBMM’s accounting and database specialist, added “It was meant for all of us to share with one another how to do good and spread the word of our beliefs.” Bahara Hussaini, the Afghan community outreach coordinator at the ACE Center, said “It is vital that young people are involved in initiatives such as this, so that they learn how to build bridges across difference early on.”
Conferees ultimately agreed that deep listening ought to galvanize us into action. “Are we sure that we live the word of God?” said Dr. Ustadh Sohaib Chekima, one of the Muslim panelists. He emphasized that it is important that people of faith unite in “faith in action,” that is, shared initiatives that combat social problems such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, and violence.
According to theologian Xochitl Alvizo, deep listening is a “tool that facilitates our understanding of what is being experienced in a particular historical moment and values the voice and participation of all who make up the Body of Christ—not simply that of a select few.” ABHMS understands that the Body of Christ is teeming with stories of joys — but also of trauma and unmet needs. To help us support immigrants, refugees, and clergy of many different backgrounds through ministry partners such as MBMM, give today.
By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, ABHMS senior writer and associate editor of The Christian Citizen
