When I think about making disciples across cultures, I’m reminded of how easy it is to miss the mark if we’re not careful. We carry our own cultural baggage into every interaction, our ways of communicating, our assumptions about what’s respectful, even how we understand faith itself. And if we want to truly connect with people from different backgrounds, we’ve got to be willing to step outside our comfort zones.
The thing is, cultural differences show up everywhere in discipleship. Take communication styles, for instance. I’ve noticed that folks from Western backgrounds tend to be pretty direct; we say what we mean, sometimes bluntly. But in many Eastern cultures, there’s an art to indirect communication that values harmony over directness. Neither approach is wrong, but if you don’t understand the difference, you can easily misread someone or, worse, offend them without realizing it.
The Apostle Paul really understood this. In 1 Corinthians 9:22, he wrote about becoming “all things to all people” to reach them with the gospel. That’s not about being fake, it’s about being adaptable and genuinely trying to meet people where they are.
Getting Better at Communication
Communication is everything in discipleship, right? But here’s where it gets tricky across cultures. Sometimes we need to dial back our vocabulary, use stories that resonate with someone’s background, and pay attention to what’s not being said. Body language can mean totally different things depending on where you’re from.
I’ve seen how powerful it is when someone makes even a small effort to speak a few words in your native language. It’s not about being fluent, it’s about showing respect. Remember the day of Pentecost in Acts 2? When did the apostles suddenly speak in different languages, and everyone could hear the gospel in their own tongue? There was something beautiful about that moment, and I think it speaks to how God values our differences.
Building Real Trust
Trust doesn’t happen overnight, especially when you’re bridging cultural divides. It takes patience, showing up consistently, and genuinely caring about someone’s life beyond just “making them a disciple.” People can tell when you’re interested versus when you’re just checking boxes.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust God with all our hearts rather than lean on our own understanding. That applies here, too. Sometimes we won’t understand someone’s perspective or cultural practices, and that’s when we need to lean on God’s wisdom rather than our own assumptions.
The Power of Empathy
Empathy is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it mean? For me, it’s about trying to see the world through someone else’s eyes, really imagining what it’s like to walk in their shoes.
Jesus was the ultimate example of this. In John 11:35, we get the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” He cried with Mary and Martha over Lazarus’ death. He didn’t just sympathize from a distance, He felt their pain. That’s the kind of compassion we need when we’re working across cultures.
Want to develop more empathy? Spend time in someone else’s cultural space. Don’t just visit—immerse yourself. Listen actively when people share their experiences. And pray for the people you’re discipling. There’s something about bringing someone before God in prayer that opens your heart to better understand them. After all, as Galatians 3:28 reminds us, in Christ we’re all one, there’s no Jew or Gentile, slave or free.
Real Stories from the Field
Let me share a few examples of how this works in practice.
Papua New Guinea
The SDA Church has been working in Papua New Guinea for over a century now, and they’ve had to learn some hard lessons about cultural adaptation. The country has incredibly diverse tribal cultures, and missionaries quickly discovered that the typical Western evangelism playbook didn’t work there. Papua New Guinea – Adventist Heritage Centre
Instead of pushing ahead with their original plans, they switched gears. They started using storytelling, which was already a huge part of local tradition, to share biblical truths. They participated in community gatherings on local terms. By respecting and working within traditional customs rather than against them, they built genuine trust. The result? Strong indigenous Adventist communities that feel authentically local, not like foreign imports.
South Korea
South Korea presented a different challenge: a unique blend of traditional Confucian values and rapid modernization. The SDA church has had a presence in Korea for over a century, according to the Adventist Encyclopedia and the Adventist Yearbook, and they’ve learned to emphasize what matters most to Korean culture: family and community connections.
The church established language schools that became well-respected institutions, Mission – SDALI Korea +2, offering English education alongside opportunities to explore faith. They also became involved in health and wellness initiatives that aligned perfectly with Korean cultural values around education and well-being. This wholistic approach, addressing both spiritual and physical needs, helped bridge cultural gaps in a meaningful way.
African Urban Centers
In cities like Nairobi and Lagos, the challenge was different again. Rapid urbanization was creating a gap between traditional rural values and the realities of city life. The SDA Church responded by creating urban ministries that addressed the actual struggles people faced: unemployment, loneliness, and disconnection.
They set up youth mentorship programs, vocational training, and community service projects. These weren’t just religious activities; they were practical responses to real needs. By showing they understood the unique challenges of urban African life, the church demonstrated that discipleship isn’t just about spiritual lessons; it’s about walking with people through their daily realities.
What We Can Learn
These stories teach us some important lessons. First, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to discipleship. What works in one place won’t necessarily work in another. Second, respecting local customs isn’t optional; it’s essential. And third, relationships matter more than programs. When people feel genuinely valued and understood, that’s when real transformation happens.
Moving Forward
Bridging cultural gaps isn’t just a nice strategy; it’s what Jesus commanded us to do. In Matthew 28:19, He told us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Not just the nations that think like us or act like us, but all nations. That means every culture, every language, every perspective.
When we approach discipleship with humility, cultural sensitivity, and genuine love, we reflect the inclusive heart of Christ. We build a global Church that’s truly diverse and unified at the same time. And honestly? That’s beautiful. That’s what it’s supposed to look like.
So, let’s commit to doing this well. Let’s be learners, not just teachers. Let’s be listeners, not just speakers. Let’s be bridge-builders in a world that desperately needs more connection, not less.
Global Discipleship Network 