Who We Are
We are Christians from around the world who gather each Sunday (and often during the week) to worship God and sere our Lord in word and deed. Some of us are living temporarily in DC as visitors, guest workers or students; others have immigrated and have made our new home here; living and working in the Washington DC region for the Federal and local government, research institutes, American and global corporations, diplomatic missions, advocacy groups, and non-profit organizations on career or short term assignments. Some of us have arrived in the United States recently, others were born in the U.S. to immigrant parents or came here as children. We all are sojourners here. This is our home away from home, our place for fellowship and worship. We support one another, but we also reach out in service and mission to the City and the far corners of the world.
In addition to English, most of us also speak one or more other languages, including Chinese, Spanish, French, Hindi, German, Tagalog and Russian. We are drawn together by our common use of English, but more importantly by the One who draws us together, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are an International Church
People from 119 countries and territories have worshiped with us. Over twenty nationalities are represented in our worship service. We endeavor to share the Gospel of Jesus with those in the international community, especially the first generation of arrivals to America living and working in Washington DC.
We are a Multicultural Church
There is a continuing discussion of the definition of a multicultural church. For our purpose, we define a multicultural church as ‘the intentional gathering of believers committed to be a community who interact, love, accept , and live out their new lives in Christ amidst their differences of ethnic and cultural heritage.” (Wong 2010)
It is more common for the ‘second generation’ of the international community to gravitate towards a multicultural church. While they still embrace their ancestral culture (example: food, holidays, even language), they seek to blend in to the larger “American/Western” culture. Thus, their identities as Americans supersede their ethnic and cultural identity. There is a preference for contemporary music, a less formal and more casual worship environment, and emphasis on building relationships.
We are Multigenerational Church
Men and women, teens and children enjoy opportunities for Christian fellowship, discipleship and a whole lot of fun.
We are a Cross-cultural Church
Cross-cultural interactions are common here. Inter-cultural families feel at home.
We are a City Church
In a time when so many churches have fled to the suburbs, we seek to serve the city. The needs are great–both spiritual and physical. Washington, DC is a city of extreme wealth and extreme poverty. It’s a city where power is sought after. We offer very little in the way of political power, but we do offer the gospel of Jesus Christ: “…the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
People From These Countries and Territories Have Worshiped at WIC
Afghanistan – Albania – Algeria – Anguilla – Australia – Azerbaijan – Bangladesh – Belgium Bolivia – Bosnia-Herzegovina – Botswana – Brazil – Burkina Faso – Burma – Bulgaria – Burundi – Cambodia – Cameroon – Canada – Chile – Colombia – Congo – Costa Rica – Cuba – Czech Republic – Dominican Republic – Ecuador – El Salvador – Egypt – Eritrea – Estonia Ethiopia – Fiji – Finland – France – Gabon – Georgia – Germany – Ghana – Great Britain Greece – Guam – Guatemala – Guyana – Haiti – Hong Kong – Hungary – India – Indonesia – Iran – Ireland – Israel – Italy – Jamaica – Japan – Jordan – Kazakhstan – Kenya – South Korea – Kyrgyzstan – Laos – Lebanon – Liberia – Luxemburg – Macao – Madagascar – Malawi – Malaysia – Martinique – Mauritius – Mexico – Moldova – Morocco – Nepal Netherlands – New Zealand – Nicaragua – Nigeria – Norway – Pakistan – Panama – Paraguay – People’s Republic of China – Peru – Philippines – Poland – Puerto Rico – Romania – Republic of China (Taiwan) – Russia – Rwanda – Scotland – Senegal – Serbia – South Africa – Sierra Leone – Singapore – Sri Lanka – St. Lucia – Surinam – Swaziland – Sweden – Switzerland – Syria – Thailand – Togo – Tanzania – Trinidad – Tunisia – Turkey – United States of America – Uganda – Uruguay – Uzbekistan – Venezuela – Vietnam – Virgin Islands – Zaire – Zimbabwe
