Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Alban Books
Pages: 154
•
Trim: 6⅜ x 9½
978-1-5381-4725-2 • Hardback • December 2020 • $77.00 • (£59.00)
978-1-5381-4726-9 • Paperback • December 2020 • $30.00 • (£25.00)
Mario Manuel Catalino Melendez is Filipino and Cajun French and grew up around the deaf community. He is the Augie Henry Chair of Old Testament and assistant professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies at Oklahoma Baptist University. He has also served as a minority ministry strategist, Hispanic youth intern, and bible study writer for a refugee church, as well as lecturing on the topic of multi-ethnic ministry. He is a participant in the Hispanic Theological Educators section of the Evangelical Bible Society. He has served as a multi-ethnic ministry consultant in English, Asian, and Hispanic churches in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Psychology of Third Culture Syndrome
Chapter 2: Your Parishioner, the Third Culture Kid
Chapter 3: Your Ministry for the Third Culture Kid
Chapter 4: Your Pastor, the Third Culture Kid
Conclusion: Points of Application
Appendix: Finding Timothy
Further Reading
About the Author
This is a much needed resource for every church leader. The question of how to bridge cultural gaps with the gospel has never been so important. Third Culture Faithful gives practical steps that any church can take to reach their community with the gospel.
— Josh Carter, senior pastor of Hyland Heights Baptist Church
Mario Melendez has produced a must-read for church leaders and members with a true desire for ethnic diversity. Melendez offers biblical insight into how to reach and develop the leadership potential in third culture people to grow a biblically sound, yet culturally diverse church.
— Lee E. Brand Jr., dean of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary of Memphis, Tennesse
Despite American society being more diverse than ever, many churches remain monoethnic. Third Culture Faithful focuses on the role multiethnic Christians play in helping to change this troubling reality. Melendez excels at explaining how third culture people can help to strengthen the church and serve as bridges between different ethnocultural groups.
— Matthew Akers, associate dean of doctoral studies, director of the Hispanic Institute, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Unfortunately, the church has adopted racial categories in which a large percentage of the population simply do not fit, causing many to people to feel like they have no place among the people of God. Melendez—who is himself of Filipino, Cajun French, Spanish, and French descent—shows a better way to minister to and empower “third culture” people. A paradigm shifting resource!
— Miguel Echevarria, assistant professor, director of Hispanic Leadership Development, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary