When I went on my first cross-cultural ministry trip to Mexico, I was touched by the culture. I loved the language, the food and the different forms of communication.
My first culture shock came on a hillside in Monterrey. Families there lived in shanty houses made of tin and wood. When someone got a phone call, the family didn’t pick up the phone directly. Instead, their relatives would call the local convenience store. The clerk would blare the name over a loudspeaker, and the person would walk down the hill to take the call. It was so different from anything I’d ever experienced.
Years later, I landed in Thailand and found myself disoriented again. This time, it wasn’t shanty houses but golden temples. It wasn’t loudspeakers, but the smell of fish sauce in the air.
In both places, I found myself asking: “How do I relate to these people to share the gospel with them? We seem so different.”
The Heart of Cross-cultural Evangelism
The question I was asking myself is the one at the heart of effective inter-cultural evangelism. After all, sharing the message of Jesus with people from diverse backgrounds is the key to reaching the world. Read this to learn about what evangelism is. Read 40 evangelism verses here.
The Bible teaches us to spread the gospel to all nations, as highlighted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This command highlights the importance of cross-cultural evangelism, reminding us that the gospel reaches beyond borders and cultures.
But what is cross-cultural evangelism? Cross-cultural evangelism means sharing your faith with people from a culture different than your own. We understand and respect others’ customs. This helps us share the gospel both respectfully and clearly across cultures. We can connect with others by appreciating their points of view. Their cultural lens plays a large role in their point of view.
This show of respect fosters deep conversations about faith. By embracing cross-cultural ministries, we grow the Christian community.
Effective cross-cultural evangelism techniques start with cultivating genuine relationships. Communication plays a key role here, as does understanding language barriers and cultural nuances.
There are places online where you can take intercultural evangelism courses. The Center for Intercultural Training offers a great program.
Over the years, I’ve found three simple phrases that help me stay grounded when stepping into new cultures. These sayings have guided me and the student team I’ve ministered with when culture shock was strong and the differences felt overwhelming.
Cross-Cultural Evangelism – 3 Phrases to Live By
Here are three phrases to live by in cross-cultural evangelism.
1. “It’s not wrong; it’s just different.” Respect in cross-cultural evangelism.
This phrase became our youth group’s daily reminder on our mission trip to Japan.
As Americans, we sometimes assume that “our way” is the “right way.” But I’ve had to learn that when you step into another culture, that mindset builds walls instead of bridges.
For example, Japanese social norms often emphasize indirect communication. At first, I found myself frustrated. But when I remembered “It’s not wrong; it’s just different” my perspective shifted.
Instead of judging, I grew curious. Instead of dismissing it, I sought to understand. This posture of humility transformed my interactions. It allowed me to build genuine relationships and honor the people I met.
Jesus modeled this same humility. In John 4:1-26, He approached the Samaritan woman at the well. Jews and Samaritans didn’t interact, but Jesus crossed the cultural barrier. Jesus didn’t treat her culture as “wrong,” but He entered her world with respect and offered living water.
When we stop seeing things as “wrong” and just see them as “different,” we can share the gospel more clearly and kindly.
Jesus didn’t treat her culture as “wrong,” but He entered her world with respect and offered living water.
On our mission trip in Japan, my team and I used Jesus Film Project resources to support our cross-cultural ministry efforts. There were videos already translated into Japanese. This made sure that the message of hope could reach every soul.
The 3D Gospel
Each community has its unique way of life. Getting these little differences right is important for reaching out smoothly. In Jason Georges’ book The 3D Gospel, the author shares diverse leading values from different parts of the world.
Georges splits the world into three categories:
- Innocence-guilt cultures
- Shame-honor cultures
- Fear-power cultures
Connecting with these types of cultures will aid us as we bring the gospel to the world. You can take the “culture test” to better understand your own worldview.
Western Christianity often emphasizes only one dimension of the gospel: guilt-innocence. However, as Georges calls it, the “3D Gospel” is multi-dimensional, addressing guilt, shame, and fear.
Presenting the gospel in all three dimensions offers a fuller, more holistic message that resonates across cultures.
2. “Flexibility is your friend.” Opening doors for the gospel cross-culturally
On a mission trip to Fiji, our youth team adopted this saying because schedules were, well—fluid. Meetings started late, events ended later, and timetables never seemed to line up.
At first, it was frustrating. But repeating the phrase “Flexibility is your friend” reminded us that being adaptable is part of cross-cultural ministry.
Flexibility also communicates respect. It shows you value people over your own agenda. This builds trust and encourages relationships.
The apostle Paul modeled this in Acts 17:16-34. Standing in Athens, he adjusted his message to connect with the Greek audience.
He quoted their poets and pointed to their altar “to an unknown god.” Instead of forcing his Jewish framework, he flexed to theirs—without compromising the gospel.
If we want to build friendships across cultures, we must be willing to adjust our expectations, schedules and methods. Flexibility makes space for relationships—and it’s through relationships that the gospel flows most naturally.
It’s also good to remember that different cultures view time, structure and schedules differently. Some cultures value punctuality and structure while others don’t––not as much they value people and the quality of the time spent together. It’s not wrong; just different.
Changing our strategy for cross-cultural communication
On my first trip to Thailand, we saw hundreds of university students pray to receive Christ. A year later, we found that none stayed connected to the ministry. Many had prayed not out of genuine faith, but to avoid bringing us shame.
The next time we went, we tried a different approach. We needed to be flexible.
Instead of pushing for quick decisions, we took time to understand the culture and discern where people truly stood. We listened carefully, asked questions, and even slowed down, so much so that it sometimes felt like we were talking people out of praying.
People respond to the gospel differently, yet only the Holy Spirit transforms hearts. Every type of evangelism depends on God’s work in human hearts.
3. “Expectation is your enemy.” Trusting God in cross-cultural evangelism
A missionary named Felicity prepared to reach a Muslim country by studying the Quran deeply. Yet when she arrived, she found that most locals didn’t know the Quran at all. Her preparation wasn’t wasted, but her expectations didn’t match reality.
This is why we say, “Expectation is your enemy.”
When we cling to preconceived outcomes, we miss what God is really doing. True fruit takes time, and it’s the Holy Spirit—not our strategies—that brings transformation.
Practical steps for adjusting expectations
When we step into a new culture, it’s easy to assume how people will react to the gospel. But unmet expectations often lead to frustration or discouragement. Instead of stepping into cross-cultural evangelism with expectations, keep the following truths in mind:
- True fruit looks different across cultures, and you may not always spot it. Someone from the same culture may be able to notice it. Seek their guidance. But remember, only the Holy Spirit brings lasting transformation.
- Engaging in cross-cultural evangelism requires thoughtful strategies to connect with diverse communities. Identifying cultural entry points is a crucial step. Cultural entry points help you connect the culture to the gospel. Revisit Georges’ 3D gospel cultural categories (fear-power, honor-shame, innocence-guilt) and consider these examples:
- In a fear-power culture: We could share that Jesus has authority over all spiritual powers and brings freedom from fear.
- In an honor-shame culture: We may want to relay that the gospel restores honor to the shamed and adopts us into God’s family.
- In an innocence-guilt culture: We could explore a person’s need for forgiveness and connect them with Christ’s payment for our sin on the cross.
- To truly engage in cross-cultural evangelism, we need to approach each culture with humility and openness. Let’s not assume we understand everything or hold too tightly to our own culture and customs. The key is listening first to understand a person’s point of view.
- Every community’s values and traditions shape how they hear and process the gospel. By taking time to understand these norms, we can enter into meaningful dialogue and show respect in our interactions. This often means adapting how we communicate.
When we let go of expectations and follow God, we build trust and open hearts.
Read Felicity’s story and gain more practical tips for how to approach cross-cultural evangelism by setting your expectations aside.
How Local Stories Bridge to the Gospel
Sharing local stories, images, or proverbs can bridge cultural gaps and help biblical truths resonate more deeply.
In Acts 14:8–18, Paul and Barnabas were being worshiped by the people of Lystra after healing a lame man. Paul tells them to stop. He uses their experience of harvest and joy as a cultural story pointing to God’s goodness. Even after his explanation, the people still wanted to sacrifice to them.
Resources like ones from Jesus Film Project—already translated into hundreds of languages—make the message of the gospel available while honoring local context.
Cru has a ministry called StoryRunners. StoryRunners equips Christians to shape and use oral Bible stories to help launch churches among those who don’t have access to the Bible.
The ministry uses stories to change lives. In intercultural (cross-cultural) ministry, sensitivity and creativity in storytelling help break down barriers. Stories invite people to experience Christ’s love in a way that speaks to them. StoryRunners offers online training in storytelling.
Organizing events that honor various cultures fosters a sense of belonging, paving the way for sharing Jesus’s message. By focusing on these cross-cultural evangelism strategies, we can strengthen relationships and share the gospel in meaningful ways.
Living Out These Reminders
Cross-cultural evangelism isn’t about clever methods or polished presentations. It’s about posture—approaching others with humility, flexibility and trust in God.
- It’s not wrong; it’s just different and reminds us to honor cultures instead of judging them.
- Flexibility is your friend reminds us to release control and value people over plans.
- Expectation is your enemy reminds us to trust the Spirit instead of measuring success by numbers.
These three mantras won’t solve every challenge, but they will keep your heart steady as you cross cultures with the gospel. Whether you’re a university student going on a mission trip, a mission team leader, or a theology student, these sayings will be your guide.
You don’t have to actually go overseas to meet people from different cultures. A majority of immigrants in the U.S. live in only 12 metropolitan cities. We have the world right at our fingertips.
So next time you step into a new culture—whether overseas or right in your own neighborhood—carry these three sayings with you. Memorize them. Practice them. Live them.
When we practice humility, flexibility, and trust, we give Jesus room to be seen.
