BEDFORD, Texas  The Rev. Doug Riggs said there was no earthly plan for Woodland Heights Baptist Church to become home to several multicultural churches, but that, apparently, was God's plan.
In July 2000, a Brazilian church started a trend when it asked to share Woodland Heights' facilities. Since then, a Korean church and a 50-member Chinese church followed suit. Now, Sudanese people are coming to services and may start a church on the premises as well, according to Associated Baptist Press.
"It's not something we set out to do necessarily," Riggs said. "But it's something God laid in our hands."
Riggs acknowledged he was not used to working in a multicultural setting, but said he has learned a host church must be willing to treat other congregations as equals. While leaders interact and encourage each other, the congregations essentially function independently.
"It is working out perfectly," said the Rev. Jair Campos, pastor of Igreja Batista Brasiliera Central. "Woodland Heights respects the mission churches."
Riggs said the host church needs to emphasize reaching people rather than simply growing the church. If more people can become Christians through the churches, he wants to help, he told the news service.
"I think the only thing it requires from an English congregation is a mindset that this is not our castle that we need to protect with a moat," he said.
