More Than Words

Have you ever been to a church service conducted entirely in a language you do not speak? Do you think it would be a waste of your time to go? Can your faith be built up even if you don’t understand the words spoken or sung?

After leading a Feed the Hunger short term mission trip I am frequently asked something to the effect of, “What do you like most about traveling?” or, “What was your favorite part about the trip?” For me the answer always remains the same: worshiping in a cross-cultural setting. A close second is building friendships with travelers. I propose that for followers of Christ, worshiping periodically in a cross-cultural context is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our faith. I am convinced that when we gather together in heaven as the Body of Christ, the way you “do” church on Sunday is not the way we will worship in heaven. Worship there will be a dynamic expression of various cultures here on earth, reflecting the diverse grace of God.

In August, Caleb and I had the pleasure of leading a group of 17 travelers to Haiti. Through God’s sovereignty, our time in Haiti happened to coincide with the often-delayed national primary elections. It was the country’s first election in 4 years. Haiti does not have a good reputation when it comes to holding fair and peaceful elections. I was surprised to hear from an informal poll of my Haitian friends that only a little more than 10% of the country votes because most people either feel the process is rigged or their personal safety would be in jeopardy if they showed up at a polling station.

In the days leading up to election Sunday, we were certainly paying attention to the national scene. We learned on Saturday morning through our Haitian partner, Pastor Maxeau Antoine, that the government had issued a travel ban for Sunday on all private vehicles in an effort to promote a peaceful climate for voting. This meant that we would be confined to places within walking distance of the guesthouse where we were staying. It also meant we could not worship at Maxeau’s church, which is always a trip favorite.

In speaking with the manager of our guesthouse, we learned that there was an indigenous church four blocks from the house and that it was the home church to girls from one of the orphan homes that FtH regularly supplies with food. We would be welcome there; however, there would be no interpreter and the service would be 100% in Creole. I knew it would still be a rewarding experience so I offered this to the group for those that were willing. Everyone decided to go to worship the next day.

We were not disappointed as we met God that morning in that church building. The service started with singing – and lots of it! We sang Creole hymns and worship songs for 45 minutes. Sometimes sitting and sometimes standing; sometimes clapping and sometimes quiet before the Lord. But even though I could not sing along, the Spirit of God was ministering deeply to me and several others. Our hearts were quiet before the Lord. As the singing gave our minds a chance to clear out, the voice of God’s Spirit was able seize our attention.

When the singing was over, a lady came to the microphone and led the congregation in a time of passionate prayer. The majority of the congregation bowed on their knees before God in tears. I too found myself weeping before God; mostly in awe of such a magnificent God but also repenting of my own self-righteousness that God had exposed to me during the singing. It was one of the most meaningful worship experiences I ever participated in, and I did not understand a word of it with my mind. But I understood plenty in my heart. Many of my travel teammates had similar experiences that morning as well.

That Sunday only reinforced the fact that we really do worship God in spirit and truth. Our faith is enhanced and strengthened by hearing, and sometimes there is much to be gained by hearing what seems like foreign words. It only fuels a longing for an eternity of worship joined by those from every tribe and tongue!

Scott Hahn | Packathon Director