Kevin Gushiken is the teaching pastor of Harvard Avenue Evangelical Free Church in Villa Park, Illinois. For years the church was predominantly Caucasian. But eight years ago the congregation merged with a neighboring Spanish-speaking congregation. Around the same time, the church experienced an influx of African-Americans, Filipinos, and Indians. Leadership Journal's Paul Pastor talked with Gushiken about how the church pursues a common vision while striving to honor the diversity of its members.

Did you always intend to be a multiethnic church?

Not necessarily, but I've always had a desire for racial reconciliation. I'm biracial—Asian and Caucasian. Growing up I saw racial reconciliation in the home, different ethnic groups coming together. I didn't see until much later how important that was when, as a church, we started becoming more multiethnic.