Introduction
Street tacos. Bilingual advertisements. Astros baseball. High school football. Oil. Traffic & traffic jams! Each of these describe my city of Houston, home to 4 million strong. These are the visible aspects of my city’s culture.
There’s a deeper layer to my city than food, sports, business, and did I mention the traffic?! We are a melting pot of cultures: there’s “Western” culture, Houston culture, religious culture, and community culture.
Understanding Houston’s Unique Blend of Cultures
“Western” culture values cowboy hats, big belt buckles, and cowboy boots for both men and women. As the 4th largest city in the US and the most diverse city in our country, each of us, no matter our heart language or country of origin, shares a love (or at least an intrigue) for Western wear.
Houston culture thrives on our annual rodeo every Spring, a city-wide event that brings together people from across the country and world. Even as a transplant from Wisconsin, I’ve embraced the tradition, wearing cowboy boots with nice jeans on Rodeo Sunday.
For Houstonians, Rodeo Sunday isn’t just a promotion day at church—it marks the start of our city’s rodeo, a celebration embedded in the heart of our community.
Religious Diversity in Houston
Religious culture in Houston is as diverse as the people who live here. Our city is home to Muslim mosques, Jewish synagogues, Joel Osteen ministries, Sikh temples, Hindu temples, non-denominational churches, and more Baptist churches than you thought were possible.
Simply being aware of the local religious demographics makes me a more informed part of our community. Conversations like, “Oh, you worship at the mosque off of Cypress-Rosehill Rd. How’s the building program going?” help me connect with those around me on a deeper level.
The Power of Community Culture
Houston’s community culture revolves around our love for local schools, high school football teams, and community sports leagues. We show our appreciation by volunteering as mentors in our school districts, giving gift bags to teachers, and participating in events that strengthen our community ties.
By adapting to and embracing this community culture, we build trust and demonstrate our care for the people around us. Whether it’s mentoring students, sponsoring a spaghetti dinner for the local football team, or organizing a neighborhood clean-up after a storm, these acts of service lay the groundwork for meaningful relationships.
Adapting to Culture for Gospel Outreach
Adapting to the culture in order to share the gospel takes time, wisdom, and a willingness to embrace parts of the culture that may initially seem strange, odd, or even inconvenient. Embracing local customs, like wearing cowboy boots or enjoying street tacos, is often easy. However, engaging in long-term investments, like mentoring or volunteering, takes greater intentionality and patience.
It’s not always about immediate results, but about building trust and authentic relationships that provide a platform for sharing the gospel.
Practical Steps for Cultural Adaptation
To adapt to my culture for the sake of sharing the gospel, I’ve learned to:
- Be aware of my immediate cultural context – Know what makes your city unique, from food to traditions, and engage with it meaningfully.
- Build intentional bridges for relationships – Step outside your comfort zone and connect with people through shared experiences.
- Take the time to earn trust – Relationships are built on trust, and trust takes time.
- Take the plunge and share the gospel – Once trust is established, don’t shy away from sharing the good news.
Conclusion
May God raise up many culturally savvy Christians who are not simply chasing pop culture trends, but who are intentional about building relational bridges across various cultures in their communities for the gospel. When we take the time to adapt to the culture around us, we open doors to share Christ’s love in powerful and lasting ways.
Joel Mosier is the Lead Pastor at GraceLife Baptist Church in Cypress, TX and serves as anExchangeTrainer. Contact Joel about leading an Exchange Training Event or to discuss this [email protected]