Another successful method of working among foreigners is through the organization of special bands in our churches. Where there are foreign-speaking people in the vicinity, the church should have a band which gives its attention to these foreigners. Some members of the band can, perhaps, give Bible studies, while others can take care of the literature.
The personnel of the band should be carefully chosen. In larger churches especially, it is well to ascertain if you have any members who speak a foreign language. Even though they may not be able to speak the particular language, if they speak some foreign language it will be a help to them. If you should not find any such persons, but have some whose parents were born in a foreign country, that will help. When it is possible to tell a stranger that one's parents or grandparents came from his native country or perhaps a neighboring country, it will break down prejudice and open doors.
If you should have charge of a number of churches which are not too far distant from each other, it would be well to have a meeting of these band leaders about once a quarter, at which time the leaders of the foreign bands could discuss their problems and needs, and the methods they find most successful.
In starting an effort in a new locality, it would be well to have someone give special attention to the foreigners, endeavoring to reach them with the message. The methods mentioned may be used in these efforts. The worker may be able to secure an interpreter from among the people. If he is successful in this, he could have a preliminary meeting for those who do not understand English very well, and give them a synopsis of the sermon that he is about to preach in his larger hall. This will enable them to get a better understanding of his subject. Then invite them to stay for the regular evening meeting, which most of them will do.
It has also been found that efforts can be carried on entirely through an interpreter. So, if the foreigners should not come out to your regular services, you can arrange some evenings in the effort when you are not too busy with your English work, to hold a little meeting—perhaps just a cottage meeting—with them. If it can be arranged, you can give some studies in the English language. You will find many of them eager to study English, especially those who, since coming to this country, have not been able to go to school.
If possible, give your main doctrinal subjects to them in Bible studies where they can use the Bible and read it for themselves in their own language. While a foreigner may be able to speak English and seemingly understand it, as a rule his religious training has all been in his own language; and when it comes to religion, he has to think it over in his own tongue and in this own way. We should not forget that the foreigner is slow to accept new ideas, and so we must be patient, remembering that it is a very important step we are inviting him to take, namely, to change not only his lifelong habits and faith, but those of generations of his people.
Never speak in a depreciative way of the country from which these friends come; rather, give them credit for all the good things to be found in their country. Remember that these countries were established long before America was; and that many foreigners, at least when they first arrive in this country, have the idea that their ways and customs and mannerisms are superior to those they find here. It is therefore very important to learn something about the people for whom you are about to labor. Study their history and their customs. Find out who their heroes are and some of the great deeds credited to them, so that you may have a common ground for conversation and ordinary discussion. Familiarize yourself with their religion and some of the main points in their teachings.
We would emphasize once more the importance of remembering that the foreigner looks with suspicion on every advance made in his behalf until you have gained his confidence by your friendliness. We must remember that many of these people have been taught to be suspicious by their hard experiences when they first landed in our country. Perhaps it was some real estate agent who dealt unscrupulously with them, or some person took advantage of them in exchanging their money. It may have been an immigration officer who was unkind to them. Before these people leave their own land for American shores, they are warned by their pastor and relatives to be very careful of the many religions afloat in America, which are liable to lead them astray. They will probably be informed that the antichrist is in the land here, and that the best way to avoid becoming entangled is to stay away from every new religion, and not to study it nor receive any of its literature. That is why it is best to seek to gain their confidence in some other way than by the religious approach.
We should avoid arguments. Most of the foreigners, especially those coming from Southern Europe, are eager to argue and enjoy getting into a debate. They will perhaps lead you away from the subject you are trying to study with them, and will argue on some other point. The best way to meet that kind of person is to hold to your subject; and having establisher his faith in the Holy Scriptures, let that be the deciding factor rather than your argument. We should never take anything for granted, but always lay a good foundation, and study carefully with him any point on which we wish him to be informed. He may tell you that he knows all about it, and it may be true that he has heard some things, but most likely he understands very little regarding it when it comes to actual Bible proof. So it is well to let him read it in his own Bible in order that he may be convinced that his Bible teaches the same truth your Bible does. If you are working among Catholics, you would of course want them to use the Catholic Bible. Then convince them that the Protestant Bible you are using is the same as theirs.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
