Cross-Cultural Missions
Recently, my husband and I encountered a discipleship challenge rooted in cultural differences. As we processed it, we realized the issue stemmed from a belief that someone wasn’t qualified to teach because of their age. This perspective was shaped by culture rather than by biblical discipleship. That conversation opened our eyes to a broader reality: many disciple-makers are faithfully serving outside their cultural comfort zones. Whether across generations, religious backgrounds, or even stepping as civilians into military contexts.
We’ve seen this play out in simple but meaningful ways. At one outreach dinner, I realized I was older than one attendee’s mother; a gap that subtly shaped expectations about the relationship. In another instance, a friend felt unnecessary shame for not knowing what “breakfast foods” meant, since her culture doesn’t categorize meals that way. These moments, while small on the surface, can create real barriers in discipleship relationships.
To speak into these kinds of challenges, I sat down with long-time friends and missionary couple, Pastor Brian and Julie Wooley. We explored what cross-cultural discipleship looks like in practice—and how we can navigate these differences with humility, wisdom, and grace.
What is your background?
-We both grew up in the United States, but as children, we felt God’s call towards missions. In college, we had opportunities to participate in short-term mission trips. Brian went to Africa and India for a summer, and Julie spent a summer in Montreal and took week-long trips in Brazil and Sicily. God used these opportunities to help us better understand how many adjustments are required to serve in another culture and place. When we were engaged, a friend invited us to move to Guam after marriage to help serve a church there. We agreed to serve a year, but loved it so much that we ended up staying for three years! We haven’t lived back in the States since. We served three and a half years in the Philippines and the last 16 years in Okinawa, Japan.
How do you define discipleship?
-Discipleship is the process of helping people live their lives with all the everyday realities, relationships, and responsibilities with Jesus, and as a place where God’s kingdom can come. It is easy for church and God to be separated from the majority of our everyday lives. Discipleship is different from religion, in that it is an invitation to experience everything with Jesus.
How have you seen cultural beliefs or traditions impact your mission?
-We have learned that ministry requires patience. For Westerners, it takes patience to help them recognize and surrender their self-centered identities and desires. For Japanese, it takes patience to help them choose Jesus above social and family expectations. Jesus is inviting us all into his kingdom and his mission. It is so easy, though, for other things to quietly remain as idols or barriers to the next step of obedience.
How have you adapted your approach when sharing the gospel with different cultures?
-We don’t necessarily have a specific approach, but we always start with where someone is in their relationship with God or questions about God. God is already working in someone’s life whenever they show interest or have questions, and he’s simply inviting us to join him as he gives friendship and points of connection.
Many Japanese people are curious about Christianity. Christmas and Easter are great times and points of connection. Many Japanese would not think it’s okay for them to go to church because they think it’s a place only for Christians. But they feel okay coming for special events.
It’s also common for Japanese people to be interested in God or attend Bible studies for many years before they make a decision to follow Jesus. This requires trust and patience for Christians who want to share their faith with their Japanese friends. We have both had experiences of meeting with a Japanese friend for years, and no decision was made. The person showed interest and wanted to study the Bible but then suddenly stopped all communication. We have to trust Jesus and keep praying for that person, whether or not we ever have contact with them again.
What strategies have helped you overcome the cultural barriers?
-It is important to always take the perspective and stance of a learner. No matter how long we live in a place, we are always learning about people, language, and culture. Remembering we are learners helps us have grace with ourselves and others. It helps us stay tuned to how God is leading and not our own or external expectations.
How do you stay spiritually healthy while doing ministry?
-It’s so important that we stay grounded in Jesus and prioritize rest for our family. We must constantly be praying for the people in our church and our non-believing friends. It’s so easy to get bitter about church people who come and go or not seeing any ‘results’ from friendships with non-believers. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and trusting him with all aspects of ministry is vital. He is building his church; it’s not ours, and he is simply asking us to come alongside him.
We also don’t ever want our children to feel like the church or any ministry is more important than they are. This requires intention to sometimes say no to obligations or opportunities and set realistic boundaries for our family. We want our children to love Jesus and follow his leading in their lives.
If you could give one piece of advice to those making disciples cross-culturally, what would it be?
-Make sure you are always in a posture of learning and follow Jesus’ leading, not your own ideas or expectations.
You can find more information about the Woolery’s mission here.
