By: Tochukwu, Youth Ministry Intern
The past 1 month working for ETCBC in the church and around the community has been very lesson-filled and self challenging. The community work in the hub and food banks that we serve has exposed us to different kinds of people and cultures from all walks of life. I will even stress that, to an extent I have been pushed out of my comfort zone and forced me to challenge some of the core beliefs that I originally hold. When we (the church community) bring up issues about outreach and community service, we usually default to charity towards the poor and less privileged.This is by no means downplaying the significance of the work done to alleviate the conditions of less privileged. However community outreach as I have observed and participated in these past weeks with the church was not just limited to those who could did not financially have, but to those who consider themselves marginalised in the society that we are in presently. No other groups of people come faster to mind when discussing marginalised groups than the LGBTQ community
I remember the first day when Pastor Sam was briefing us about our activities and events. A particular event stuck out to me. We had to volunteer in a PRIDE event. Every prejudiced nerve in me began firing. A Church partnering with an organization that hosts a PRIDE event, this was honestly very strange to me. Besides every mainstream Christian view about Homosexuality, I definitely do have my own personal prejudices towards the LGTBQ community. My prejudice stems from the culture in which I was raised which was very traditional and frowned against anything that deviates from the norm. Some of my prejudice arises from the quote in Genesis 1: 28 “ Be fruitful and multiply.” I have a problem with any act that hinders the survival of the Human race. Homosexulaity if it becomes the norm will do just that, by its natural incapability of producing offspring.
On the day of the event I was very curious, not knowing what to expect. The event turned out to be as normal as any event and party that I have attended. With the exception of the Pride flag, there was nothing there to set it apart from any other get together. It was just a group of people like any other who wanted to have a nice time and celebrate a huge part of their identity. This caused me to have a huge self reflection about my worldview towards the LGTBQ community. Though my view towards homosexuality may not have changed, I am at least more self aware that I should treat members of the LGTBQ community with all the respect and dignity that I would to any other person.