“If the ELCA is going to better reflect the diversity present in the United States, it will either do so by creating and supporting more ethnic or language specific congregations, developing new multi-ethnic communities of faith and/or by helping existing predominantly white churches to become the kind of communities to which a more diverse people might be more likely to find a sense of belonging.”
-Pr. Ruben Duran (Retired, Senior Director for Multi-Ethnic Ministries and Leadership)
HISTORY
February 2024 marked the starting point of what today is the Multiethnic and Intersectional Network. This work was started by Rev. Ruben Duran, former Senior Director for Multiethnic Ministries and Leadership at CCL, until his retirement. In January 2025, after a season of prayer, exploration and development with the direction of Rev. Dr. Phil Hirsch, Executive Director of CCL, now Bishop Hirsch of Metro DC Synod, the first gathering launched off in San Diego, CA.
During that initial gathering and prior to Pr. Duran’s retirement, Rev. Dr. Moses Barrios, practitioner in Honolulu, Hawai’i at the time and now Assistant to the Bishop of Metro DC Synod and Pastor of St. Matthew DC, was called to be the Program Manager for the ELCA Multiethnic and Intersectional Ministries. Soon after Rev. Darla DeFrance, also a practitioner in Seattle, WA was invited on to staff as Coordinator for the ELCA Multiethnic and Intersection Ministries to support the movement.
Together with the support of the Design Team, composed with leaders from across the ELCA ecology, the M&I Network launched off on a two-year journey. After receiving funding for 2 years (2025-2027) from the Mission Development Fund (MDF) which was established as temporary restricted fund to be used for new and innovative ministries, the network was free to grow and expand. This network was not meant to be a program but a grassroots movement in the ELCA to strengthen and build churches that better reflect the witness of Christ and the diversity of our communities in the U.S.
After gathering 13 congregations in the first gathering, the movement grew to 30 congregations by the end of summer 2025. By February of 2026, the M&I Network gathered 50 congregations and nearly 100 diverse leaders (lay, rostered, synod, Churchwide and partners).
The fire that was ignited that winter in San Diego, CA continues to burn today! The Holy Spirit continues to fan the flame in us, around us and within us as we attempt to the follow was is next. There is more history to be written.