Our History
Four years have flown by since September 20, 2014, when Ethnos church first launched as a church-plant at Carver School in the Brewers Hills Community in Milwaukee, WI. With continual fervent prayers and financial support from The Network Churches in southeastern Wisconsin, my wife Luna and I, along with 25 persons from Eastbrook Church, were sent out to begin this amazing work. Through prayers, the proclamation of the Gospel and God’s Word and faith, we have seen spiritual breakthroughs in many lives and communities in Milwaukee and overcome many challenges. [purchase_link id=”0″ style=”” color=”” text=”Purchase”]
On September 21, 2016, Ethnos relocated and re-launched with the support from North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist churches (MWBC). The Lord saw fit to bless our meeting place at 1400 N. 6th St. Since that time, we have experienced God’s presence ministering, impacting, and touching more than 500 families throughout various parts of Milwaukee.
Today, September 2018, Ethnos continues to thrive and serve as a vital part of the community in downtown Milwaukee. We still believe in our call as a mission church. Through several outreaches at Ethnos and the adjoining Hillside community, more than 100 adults have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and many have experienced God’s healing touch in our church services. This past summer, Ethnos conducted more than 5 Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) programs within the Hillside community and at Ethnos. As a result, more than 150 children heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed and many accepted Christ as their savior. Additionally, Ethnos has conducted services that served as ministry opportunities to people from other parts of the world resulting in the ability to connect with over 20 different nationalities.
We genuinely value our partners. For the past two years, Ethnos has been given the opportunity to partner with more churches to connect with international students and refugees through hospitality outreaches and English conversation programs. Through affiliation with NAMB (North American Mission Board) and different churches, we trained 4 church planters to plant three new churches in the coming years within Milwaukee and planted an Arabic service on Saturday mornings. We are very appreciative to our Heavenly Father for giving us the opportunity to reach out beyond our own community! Now, we are looking for more churches to partner with us and support our mission in prayers and funds to multiply in every level and to reach out to the nations around us. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
Our Times Call for It
- Heaven will be multi-ethnic. (Rev. 5:9)
- The demographics of our city are changing. Therefore, more diverse churches are needed.
- More than 25% of the population are immigrants, refugees and internationals. Therefore, the mission field is here.
- A multi-ethnic church that is both diverse and unified in Christ brings great glory to God. Therefore, love and unity among the children of God are required. (John 13:35; John 17: 20-23)
- Many internationals are falling through the cracks of existing churches. There are groups of people who do not fit into the traditional categories of churches. Some are lonely and looking for a place to belong. Some seek opportunities to be understood and comforted by others. Therefore, partnership with other churches is essential!
- Many Muslims Background Believers know well what it means to be rejected by their family and by society, as well as losing their homes and countries. Therefore, the Church needs to be family oriented in order to serve as a community for those undergoing that kind of rejection.
- Mono-ethnic churches in the United State often fail to grow, or even die out, because of their isolation within the American culture and churches. Therefore, we need to be supported financially and socially by other mission churches.
The Bible Calls for It
Our seminal idea is based on John 17:20-23 and Ephesians 2:11-22. We want to see the people of God—people of differing cultural backgrounds—learning to be in relationship together in Christ. Only then can we witness the full light of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. “Go and preach the gospel to every nation,” applies to Christians of all nations (including Americans) and establishes the biblical principle that all kinds of people are welcome—and expected—in a healthy church.
The mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32 is one of the tiniest seeds found in the Middle East. Just as a large tree can grow from a tiny seed, God can accomplish mighty things through faith. We believe the mustard seed represents the divine beginnings for an Ethnos Church plant in Milwaukee. While it is impossible to immediately develop relationships with over 600,000 people who reside in the city of Milwaukee, it is possible for a few disciples to begin to move Milwaukee with faith.