ARTICLE – JOURNEY TO AMERICA SERIES. (3/4) : STRONG CHURCHES, KINGDOM VISION

Churches, Multiculturalism, and Mission in Texas

During my stay in the United States, I spent most of my time in the state of Texas, especially in the regions of Houston and Dallas. This choice was no coincidence: Texas strongly represents the so-called “Bible Belt,” but it’s also a space of intense cultural and urban diversity. It was in this environment that I immersed myself in a journey of observation, mentorship, and reflection on the American evangelical landscape.

I was welcomed by two brothers I met back in Cuiabá, when I pastored youth: Bruno Zechin and Allan Velasques. Today, both are doing meaningful work in the U.S. Bruno serves as a chaplain and translator on the American rodeo circuit, providing pastoral care to a cowboy community and planting a church that is beginning to take root in the Dallas area. Allan, meanwhile, runs an ice cream shop in Houston focused on serving people with special needs, connecting his business to philanthropic projects and ministries like Brookwood—which I had the joy of visiting in person.

Beyond reconnecting with these brothers, my visit aimed to mentor young ministry leaders and explore the structure and dynamics of local churches. I visited around eight American evangelical churches at various stages of development, from church plants to large, established ministries. I spent time at Second Baptist Church of Houston, Presbyterian ministries like MDPC, Free Methodists, Lutherans, and independent churches. I also attended meetings with Adhonep, a Christian businesspeople’s ministry (Houston Chapter), visited a synagogue, and explored museums, bookstores, and socially impactful organizations.

Multiculturalism: Faith in Many Languages

Multiculturalism in the United States is not just a demographic trait—it’s a spiritual reality. The churches I visited reflect this diversity: services in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and even Asian languages. Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and white Americans coexist in faith communities that strive to be welcoming and contextualized. In one church, I saw services offered in three different languages, each bringing its own cultural expression to worship.

This coexistence is not just tolerance—it’s celebration. Multiculturalism is lived as spiritual wealth, a way to manifest the body of Christ in its fullness. The American church, especially in Texas, seems to understand that mission is not only cross-cultural but also intra-cultural: it happens within borders, among neighbors of different backgrounds.

Post-Denominationalism: Beyond the Labels

Another aspect that caught my attention was the rise and consolidation of post-denominational ministries. These are communities not defined by a specific theological tradition but by a shared purpose: reaching people and serving the city. I saw churches operating in shared spaces, where a Baptist congregation holds morning services and a Pentecostal community uses the same building at night. In some cases, independent ministries use historic church facilities with full freedom and mutual support.

This fluidity doesn’t mean a lack of doctrine or identity, but rather an openness to collaboration. The focus isn’t on preserving denominational identity—though denominations still exist and are part of the local identity—but on living the gospel in a relevant way. It’s as if churches were saying: “The gospel is more important.”

Kingdom Vision: The Golf Cart as a Metaphor

One of the most striking images from my visit was seeing a staff member driving a golf cart between buildings on the church campus. It wasn’t ostentation—it was functionality. The church was so large, with so many ministry and service areas, that the cart became a tool of pastoral care. That scene made me reflect on the kingdom vision that permeates many American churches: a structure that serves people, not the other way around.

And in American churches, structure is not a problem! Services typically last 60 minutes. One hour, with liturgy (worship, prayers, and scripture readings) taking about 25 minutes and the sermon between 35 to 45 minutes. Worship is excellent, and the broadcast infrastructure is impeccable and highly professional. Institutional communication is very efficient, with flyers featuring QR codes that lead to Small Groups—similar to the departmental ministry models we have in Brazil. These groups should not be confused with pastoral care small groups, which are also part of the integration strategy in many churches I visited.

In nearly every location, the preacher handed out a written sermon outline, some with fill-in-the-blank guides for use during the message. Additionally, in larger ministries, services often follow distinct liturgical styles (blended, contemporary, and traditional).

This kingdom vision also expresses itself in church cooperation. Different ministries share resources, buildings, and even teams. I saw churches supporting short-term missions together, even from different traditions. This culture of mutual support reveals a deep understanding that the kingdom of God is greater than any denomination or ecclesiastical model.

One example was the Eden Project, an urban mission initiative that revitalized an old shopping mall and transformed it into a multifunctional space: stores, community areas, and a youth-focused church. This missional creativity made me reflect on how the gospel can occupy urban spaces in relevant and transformative ways.

This experience allowed me to closely observe the multiculturalism present in American churches, especially in Texas. The interdenominational and post-denominational vision is increasingly present, with ministries organized around shared purposes rather than formal structures. What I saw in Texas wasn’t just a diversity of styles and formats, but a unity of purpose: reaching people, serving communities, and living the gospel with generosity and boldness.

We know the American landscape has its challenges—polarization has wounded society, and there are generational issues in the social fabric. Just like in Brazil, there are hurdles to overcome. Historical and social issues still await reconciliation. However, there are also signs of hope that cannot be ignored, and we can—and should—recognize these positive realities and celebrate God for the proclamation of the gospel in an increasingly multicultural society.