St. Luke UMC Launches a Weekly Multicultural Worship Service

St. Luke United Methodist Church (Lexington District) launched a multicultural worship service on February 19, 2012. The service included scripture readings in languages representing Kenya, Senegal, the Congo, Bhutan, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Rev. Harun Gatobu, pastor of multicultural ministries, is originally from Kenya, he will preach and lead the weekly services. 

After nearly three years of planning, including 15 months of monthly multipurpose gatherings, the day was what everyone had envisioned. Senior Pastor, Rev. Debbie Wallce-Padgett said,  “It was an exciting moment when we launched this long anticipated weekly multicultural worship service.  God’s presence could be felt in a deep way.”   

It takes many people working together to bring a service like this together and Wallace-Padgett offered thanks to all the people that played a role in bringing the service to fruition, " Many thanks to the St. Luke staff members Rev. Reid Buchanan and Rev. Harun Gatobu for their vision for this service; St. Luke’s Leadership team and the Ky Conference’s New Church and Congregational Development team for embracing and supporting the service; and to the people of Lexington St. Luke UMC for their commitment to moving toward our vision of “Jesus Christ in every life.”

The Lexington Herald-Leader ran an article about the initial service, to read their first-hand account, click here. Article reprinted with permission from The Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com.

About St. Luke UMC: Located at 2351 Alumni Drive in Lexington, KY, St. Luke UMC is a 1,600 member United Methodist Church whose people are concerned with being faithful Christ-followers who build relationships with their community. The multicultural service is held each Sunday at 3 p.m.