What is ‘Community Engagement’?

What is Community Engagement? 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” – Romans 10:17 

Successful Scripture translation means a community reads the Word together and experiences hope, life, and transformation. But how do we communicate the value of experiencing God’s Word? 

New missionaries Tim and Erin Schulte leave in September to begin community engagement with the Subula language group in Cameroon for exactly this reason. “God designed us to be in relationship with one another and we live best when we’re in relationship,” Tim shares. “An essential component [of successful Bible translation] is having and building relationships with people around and through Scripture.” 

The Schultes will spend their first months in Cameroon getting to know the community and listening for opportunities to serve and connect. Erin is well-acquainted with focused relationship building after a year-long deaconess internship centered around community engagement in a multi-cultural area of Kansas City. “Engagement comes in so many different forms,” Erin explains, “such as Scripture readings or literacy work…bringing God’s Word home to their lives.” She especially looks forward to hearing Subula people share testimonies of how God is working in their lives.  

In preparation for placement, Tim attended a class focused on community engagement. He shares one of his major takeaways: “The thing about community engagement is that if it’s done right, you’re always learning as much as you’re teaching.” As a second-generation missionary, Tim believes his African upbringing is key to correct mindset, “In America we are often raised with an unspoken emphasis on productivity and numbers, but Africa is a relationship-based economy.” Erin echoes, “keeping track of things is important, but God knows the numbers…we’re serving alongside Jesus, we’re not the final tally of souls that are won.” 

Support Tim and Erin Schulte through prayer or gift and help build a community centered around God’s Word.