The American Mosaic:

A Design for the Vision and Mission of the Church

By Jesse Miranda, Jr.

The World At Our Doorstep

The ABC-TV announcer for the 1984 Summer Olympics surprised the nation when he commented that every nation represented in the games was also represented among the residents of Los Angeles, California, where the event was being held. For those living in Los Angeles this was not news because we were already seeing and living this racial and ethnic diversity. A quarter of a century later the entire nation is living this reality.

This national reality is turning into a national nightmare for many in America. Recently televised reports focused on millions of immigrants and their supporters as they marched the streets of cities across the nation raising serious issues and concern. These marches, in which the majority were Hispanics, ignited debates across the country on issues of immigration, legality, and assimilation. They revived the memories of the 60s, and issues on justice, integration, and inclusion.

America now encompasses the nations of the world. The extent and nature of today’s American mosaic is large and complex. Inlaying the many racial, ethnic, and language communities into the mainstream of our nation poses a great challenge for today’s society. Old racial issues remain unresolved and at an impasse; while new issues focus on recent and undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, millions of English, mostly integrated, second- and third-generation racial and ethnic citizens, go unnoticed and unreached by the gospel.

The question is: How does the church respond individually and collectively to the present circumstances in which we live?

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