. >> reporter: pastor rufus smith of the city of refuge church in houston is one of very few african americans who leads an interracial church. smith says when he took over the evangelical presbyterian congregation, it was mostly white, bored and dwindling. he said he would only agree to be pastor if members promised to integrate. >> to their credit, many of those core people decided, you know, come hell or high water, we're going to try this thing and give it our best shot, though it was an experiment. and here, now 12 years later, we think it's a grand experience. >> reporter: today the church is about 45% white, 45% black and the rest hispanic and asian. but pastor smith says the "grand experience" hasn't always been pleasant. >> you're certainly up against the natural stereotypes. you're up against ignorance. you're up against some hard- heartedness and, you know, some outright evil with respect to some people. >> reporter: pastor rodney woo, half chinese, grew up in a black neighborhood, went to an all white church and married his hispanic childhood sweetheart. >> the poor rich.