What do bilingual pastors do when they are not in the pulpit? What all pastors do when they are not in the pulpit: teach and counsel, study and prepare, reach out and reach in. The main difference is that they do it in two languages!
Being bilingual has afforded me opportunities to reach out to all people in my area of Detroit. Recent demographic surveys show that 70% of southwest Detroiters prefer to speak Spanish at home, and 30% prefer English. If I were not able to speak Spanish, I would struggle to reach out to the majority of our mission field!
However, just being able to speak another language does not make reaching out easier. Perhaps even more important is understanding the complexities of multiple cultures, and within that, of understanding individual people. This simply takes time, practice, and humility—because I believe anyone with a heart for sharing Jesus can do it.
I have found that humility is key. If you love someone, you are willing to look silly for the sake of the gospel and the relationship. That willingness to try—despite how you look or sound—goes a long way in building bonds with people of a different language and culture.
I cannot recall how many times I have felt silly or embarrassed while trying to communicate in Spanish. I have said “the wrong word” countless times, committed cultural faux pas, stumbled in my preaching, and been laughed at as I reached out. But those are the specific moments that have helped me grow in language and cultural awareness. The goal is planting the gospel seed into another heart: “We are fools for Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:10). Thank God for his grace and mercy—may he give us all the strength and humility to keep reaching out!
Pastor Ryan Kolander
Palabra de Vida, Detroit, Michigan
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, a time to thank called workers for faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word to us. Not sure how to thank your pastor this year? Let him choose a gift with an NPH e-gift card!