Togetherness, Inclusion, and Changed Lives: 3 Inspiring Examples of the Bible in Action

This God made us in all our diversity from one original person, allowing each culture to have its own time to develop, giving each its own place to live and thrive in its distinct ways. His purpose in all this was that people of every culture and religion would search for this ultimate God, grope for Him in the darkness, as it were, hoping to find Him. Yet, in truth, God is not far from any of us.

Acts 17:26-27 Voice

We believe God has placed each of us in our particular community, company, school, and neighborhood to help people of every culture find God. Rather than living in the shadows of religious tradition and dying churches, God is building a thriving biblical church here in the Bay Area Christian Church that’s passionate about living out the life-changing power and conviction of the Gospel. 

The San Francisco Bay Area has a distinct and thriving culture. It is among the most diverse areas in the world, home to people of every background. This is also the birthplace of many championship sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, scientific and technological innovations, and fashion and music trends–which have all influenced and changed the world from here. We feel so lucky and grateful to get to build our church and community in such a vibrant and diverse place.

Today, we want to share three inspiring ways we have seen God moving here in the Bay Area to help more people get to know him over the last few weeks. 

Building a culture of conviction

The community continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed…

Acts 2:42,44 Voice

God has been guiding us to build a non-traditional church that reaches and reflects a non-traditional demographic here in the Bay Area. This requires each person in our community to embrace cultures different from their own, with the goal of being united in the intense sense of togetherness this scripture describes.

As the Bible tells us in the book of Acts, committing ourselves to the teachings of Scripture will lead to an intense sense of togetherness. When we are God-focused and decide to make the Bible our standard (John 8:31-32), our faith will overflow into honest, interdependent relationships with one another rather than hidden or isolated ones (1 John 1:5-7).

This is why this past weekend we had Lunar New Year-themed Sunday services in San Francisco and the South Bay, where hundreds came together to celebrate a culturally festive time. Inspired by the conviction to love each other deeply as Jesus did (John 13:34-35), we got to build friendship and family over food, red envelopes, and Chinese calligraphy.

Amy and I are so grateful to be in a church where we can appreciate and learn from different cultures, deeply united in passion and biblical conviction to help as many people as possible discover and enjoy walking with God. 

Spreading a culture of inclusion

How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

Ephesians 3:18b TPT

Additionally, the Golden-State Warriors have partnered with E-Sports to host their first E-Hoops-Warriors Day happening today! This will be the first time the Warriors have given E-Hoops participants all-access to the Chase Center for a day of E-Hoops basketball clinics and scrimmages on the Warriors’ court, all to bring greater awareness to inclusion. 

Inclusivity is one of the enduring and exceptional hallmarks of God’s love and heart for people. This is what Exceptional Sports (E-Sports) is all about at its core—bringing together individuals who are neurotypical and those who have special needs, and changing the world through inclusion. BACC is so grateful to be able to support a program like E-Sports that seeks to build an inclusive culture, and is inspired by the Warriors’ passion to support the marginalized communities around them.

Believing in a culture of saving

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

A biblical church is one in which lives are changed and souls are saved because of the Gospel. It’s been so refreshing and inspiring to see 2023 lift off with God changing the lives of Derrick De La Cruz, Sergio Garrido, and Jerome Flores who got baptized in recent weeks!  

With more and more people studying the Bible to build a personal relationship with God, watching and listening to deepspirituality.com, joining local Let’s Talk Nights all over the Bay Area, and building lasting connections at Sunday services, God is building our church with a faith-filled heart and passionate culture of saving lives!

We’re looking forward to many more lives, families, and friendships changing and growing this year—fueled by the Gospel and God’s vision for helping everyone find him. Together with God, we can change the world from here!

Until next time, 

Ray & Amy Kim

Lead Ministers, San Francisco