What We Focus On Shapes Our Church and Our City

“According to your faith let it be done to you.” Jesus

— Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

What above Jesus quote and Quantum Physics Can Teach Us About Intercultural Ministry and Mission

By Osoba Otaigbe | Intercultural Church and City Transformation

As a multi-disciplinary learner with a strategic mindset, I’ve recently been exploring quantum physics and discovering some deep and fascinating connections with spirituality. Quantum physics may seem far from the world of church and mission, but it offers a powerful truth that deeply connects with how we lead, pray, and transform our communities. It’s called the observer effect, and it simply means this:

Where we place our attention is where we place our energy, and what we give energy to, begins to grow. This has profound implications for how we do intercultural church and engage in city transformation.

According to your faith let it be done to you.” Jesus

Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

This Jesus quote shows that belief (our inner world) has the power to shape outcomes (our outer world), much like how quantum theory says energy follows intention.

1. What We Focus on in Church Is What Grows

In intercultural mission and churches, we often deal with differences in language, background, and tradition. These differences can either divide us or enrich us—depending on where we put our focus.

If we focus on the problems—“people won’t mix,” “it’s too difficult”—we give energy to fear and separation. But when we focus on celebrating cultural diversity, building bridges, and seeking unity in Christ, we release creative, kingdom-building energy.

For instance, a church realises that members from different cultures always sit separately on Sundays. Rather than accept this, they begin to invite stories and testimonies from different cultural backgrounds, pray in multiple languages, and form intercultural small groups. Slowly but surely, the culture of the church will begin to change.

2. What We Believe Affects the City

Beliefs are powerful. If church leaders believe, “This city is too divided,” then their actions (or lack of action) will reflect that. But if they believe, “God can heal and unite this city,” they will begin to pray, plan, and lead in ways that bring people together.

For instance, if at an ICCT Gathering, leaders from across the city came together, some with doubts. “Will our cultures clash?” “Will anyone show up?” But after experiencing shared worship, dialogue, and hospitality across cultures, new trust and vision emerged. As we are currently experiencing that our past ICCT gathering which sparked ongoing partnerships and intercultural initiatives in our Cities

Our belief shapes our action, and our action shapes the city.

3. Why Do We Focus Only on What We Can See?

Science tells us the universe is 99.9999% energy and only 0.0001% matter. Yet we often focus only on the physical: church buildings, attendance numbers, or budgets.

In reality, the unseen things, like prayer, relationships, imagination, and the Holy Spirit—carry the most power for transformation.

Assuming a small church feels discouraged because they don’t have a diverse congregation yet. But if they focus on building relationships across cultures, praying for the nations, and equipping leaders with cultural intelligence, change will come. It begins in the invisible and becomes visible over time.

Final Reflection: You Are Not Just Watching, You Are Creating

The Jesus quote and Quantum physics reminds us that we are not just observers of our world—we are participants. We shape our church and our city by what we focus on.

So here’s the question:

         •       Are we focusing on division or unity?

         •       Are we giving our energy to fear or faith?

         •       Are we speaking problems or praying possibilities?

Because where our attention goes, our energy flows. And where our energy flows, transformation happens.

Join our Intercultural Prayer from 1st to 15th of June 2025 for a focused time of intercultural prayer as part of the ongoing journey of Intercultural Church and City Transformation (ICCT).

Each day at 12 noon, we’ll be praying together using a specially designed Intercultural Prayer Guide, with scriptures, themes, and prompts to guide us as we seek God’s heart for unity, justice, and transformation across our cities and cultures.

Ways to Participate:

• Join us daily on Zoom at 12 noon for live corporate prayer with others from across the nation and beyond.

• Churches and congregations are encouraged to use the guide in Sunday services or midweek gatherings.

• Small groups and home fellowships can pray through the guide together.

• Individuals can set aside 12 noon each day to pray alone, knowing you are joined in spirit with many others.

Access the guide here