One Accord strives to support DBC in growing a multi-ethnic church that reflects, welcomes, and serves our community. Our vision is to foster a church where all races, people, tribes, and languages come together before the throne.

 

                    

EDUCATE

embracing diversity

ENGAGE

building unity

WORSHIP

glorifying God

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

 

Focus of the Month

 

On Mother's Day, we celebrate the profound impact of mothers who embody love, sacrifice, and faith. Scripture reminds us of the significant role mothers play in shaping the lives of their children and pointing them to God's love. Like Psalm 139:13, which says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb," we recognize that motherhood is a divine design. We honor the many ways mothers reflect God's love and care, and we pray for those who are struggling, grieving, or celebrating today, that they may experience God's comfort and joy.

The History of Mother's Day

Mother's Day has its roots in the United States, dating back to the early 20th century. Anna Jarvis, an American woman, campaigned for a national holiday to honor mothers after her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, passed away in 1905. Ann Reeves Jarvis had been a social activist and educator who had organized "Mother's Friendship Day" events during the Civil War to promote reconciliation. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother's legacy and the sacrifices she made for her family. With the help of local groups and churches, Jarvis organized the first Mother's Day service on May 10, 1908, at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The holiday gained popularity, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. Over time, the holiday has evolved to honor not just biological mothers but also adoptive mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and other maternal figures. Today, Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, often with gifts, family gatherings, and expressions of gratitude for mothers and mother figures.

Focus of the Month

 

The National Day of Prayer is an annual event held on the first Thursday in May in the United States. It was created in 1952 when Congress passed a joint resolution requesting the President to set aside a day for the nation to turn to God in prayer. President Bill Clinton signed the current law in 1998, which designates the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. The event encourages Americans to pray for the nation, its leaders, and its people, and to seek God's guidance and wisdom. Many churches, organizations, and individuals participate by holding prayer services, rallies, or simply taking time for personal prayer. The National Day of Prayer aims to promote spiritual unity and reflection across the country.

The Importance of National Day of Prayer

From a Christian perspective, the National Day of Prayer is important because it:

  • Encourages unity in prayer: Christians come together to pray for the nation, its leaders, and its people, promoting unity and collective intercession.
  • Seeks God's guidance: It acknowledges God's sovereignty and seeks His wisdom and guidance for the nation, aligning with biblical teachings like 2 Chronicles 7:14.
  • Demonstrates humility: By praying, Christians demonstrate humility and dependence on God, recognizing His power and authority.
  • Fosters spiritual reflection: The National Day of Prayer encourages Christians to reflect on their own relationship with God and the role of faith in their lives.
  • Aligns with biblical mandates: Christians are called to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and for the well-being of their communities, making the National Day of Prayer a way to fulfill these biblical mandates.

Celebration of the Month

 

 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. This month-long celebration honors the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the country's history, culture, and achievements. The celebration has its roots in the Asian American movement of the 1960s and 1970s and was first introduced in Congress in 1977 by Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution in 1978, designating the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. In 1992, Congress passed legislation extending the celebration to the entire month of May ¹. During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, communities across the nation come together to recognize the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through various events, festivals, and educational activities ². By celebrating AAPI Heritage Month through a Christian lens, we can deepen our appreciation for the diverse body of Christ and participate in God's mission to reach all nations.

The Importance of Recognizing AAPI MOnth:

As Christians, celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month can be an opportunity to:

  • Reflect on God's diversity: Psalm 139:13-14 reminds us that God creates each person uniquely, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and diversity within the AAPI community.
  • Honor the contributions of AAPI Christians: Many AAPI Christians have made significant contributions to the global church, and their stories can inspire and encourage us in our faith.
  • Build bridges of understanding: By engaging with the AAPI community, Christians can build relationships, foster empathy, and demonstrate God's love.
  • Share the Gospel: AAPI Heritage Month provides an opportunity for Christians to share the Good News with their AAPI neighbors, friends, and colleagues, demonstrating God's love and redemption.
  • Learn from AAPI Christian perspectives: Engaging with AAPI Christian voices can enrich our understanding of Scripture and broaden our perspective on God's work in the world.

Some ways to celebrate include:

  • Learning and Exploration Reading: Explore Polynesian history and the Aloha State.
  • Documentaries: Watch documentaries about the transcontinental railroad and Asian American experiences.
  • Classes: Take a class in Japanese Washi papermaking or learn to make traditional dishes like Pho.
  • Supporting the Community Businesses: Support Asian American-owned companies and donate to Asian American nonprofit organizations.
  • Events: Attend local AAPI festivals and events. Media: Watch AAPI films and TV series, and read books by AAPI authors ³ ⁴.

*Sources: 1) en.wikipedia.org 2) asianpacificheritage.gov 3) www.nationaldaycalendar.com 4) www.rd.com

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Below are a few of the questions and/or concerns that you may have about our ministry. After reviewing the section, if you have any additional questions and/or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at  . 

Why is racial reconciliation important to the body of Christ?

Reconciliation between people is important because it is important to God. In Ephesians 2, we see that Jesus broke the wall of hostility between Jews and the Gentiles. His purpose was to create in Himself one body, from two very different and distinct ethnic groups. God wants us to be vertically reconciled to Him and horizontally reconciled to others. And as in all cases, reconciliation requires intentional conversations about difficult issues. There is no better place to have difficult conversations than in the Church, a community called to love one another.  

DBC is not a racist church and has a history of non-discrimination towards minorities. Why do we have this ministry given our history?

DBC is a welcoming church and most people who visit here say they feel welcomed at the first point of contact. But integrating into our church can be difficult. We’ve heard this from a variety of people. Finding ways to welcome and receive all people in our increasingly diverse community is critical to our mission. Our purpose for this specific ministry is to build a culture of hospitality in our church for everyone.

I don’t see color. We are all the same, right?

It is good and right to see people based on their character and as God’s creation, made in his image. But God created diverse cultures. In Revelation 7:9, John says “After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne…”. The implication is that John saw diversity, and that is OK. We are all different and we can value the diversity this brings. Growing in our understanding of others can help us as a church fulfill our mission to make disciples of all nations so that the vision of Revelation 7:9 is fulfilled!

how do I become a part of One Accord?

 

 

One Accord strives to support DBC in growing a multi-ethnic church that reflects, welcomes, and serves our community. Our vision is to foster a church where all races, people, tribes, and languages come together before the throne.

Questions? Send us an email!
Admin Office hours: Monday - Thursday, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm