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Have you heard of diaspora missions?
Diaspora, from the word “dispersed”, refers to people who are living outside of their home country. This term holds true for more people today than at any other time in history. From big to small, many cities across the world are becoming international centers. Whether relocation is forced by way of war, famine, natural disaster, political persecution, etc., or voluntary by way of education, economics, career opportunity, etc., leaving a homeland comes with incredible stress, difficult adjustment, and unanticipated needs. Walking through our communities raises the question: Has the mission field come to us? Keep reading to learn about the unique opportunity small churches have for diaspora missions without ever leaving home.
The Global Trends Happening Right Now
All through the Bible, God has used the movement of people. Currently, millions of people are leaving their homeland for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes, people leave due to education or a business opportunity. However, just in this past year, 100 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes both internationally and in the US. We see this in the news every day.
As we see and experience this phenomenon, we are also presented with an opportunity. As people leave their homeland, they begin to be very open when thinking about new things. They start to consider things that they previously would have never even thought of. They are more spiritually open than they might have been before.
How Can We Make An Impact In Diaspora Missions?
As Christians, we are called to love. Regardless of if someone looks, acts, or thinks differently than you, we are called to love them. God even said in Leviticus that we are to treat the foreigner among us like one of our own. This is all throughout the Bible! This is kind of our mandate as Christians, to reach out to these people.
Understandably, we like familiarity. We like to keep things consistent and within our comfort zone. However, maybe we shouldn’t. Maybe, instead of walking away, we should engage with people who are different than we are. These are people with long histories, with a family, with passions and love just like us! I want to encourage you to engage with others. Take the time to talk with these people!
It’s All Centered Around Hospitality
The root of hospitality is simply welcoming a stranger. This is a major theme within the Bible, and it all begins with a decision, and it’s your decision to make. You have to choose whether or not to engage with these people. Yes, there might be a language barrier, but in today’s day and age, that is no excuse. We have access to countless apps and websites that make translating so much more accessible! Utilize your resources. It all starts with hospitality. Welcome these people into a conversation. Engage with them. Build relationships with these people!
Where Do We Even Start?
If you live in the US, there is a very high probability that you live near people who have immigrated there. So many people are feeling called to do ministry work right here, cross-culturally. We are surrounded by people from other cultures all the time, and that is so great. We have such a beautiful opportunity here.
I think it should all start with prayer. Pray and ask God if this is something that He wants you to be involved in. If so, ask that God would open up an opportunity that you become aware of.
Another great place to start is by building relationships with people. Smiling and asking how someone’s day is can make a huge difference. Take the time out of your day to consciously listen to people and begin building relationships with these people.
Everyone Should Hear The Good News
Sharing the gospel in any capacity can be scary, and sharing the gospel with people who might not speak the same language as you can be even scarier sometimes. You don’t know what people will say or how they’ll react. However, you do know that everyone needs to and deserves to hear the Good News of the Bible!
As small churches, we have a great opportunity to share the gospel with so many people. As this diaspora continues, and more and more people begin to leave their countries or are forced to leave, we are able to build relationships with so many more people and share God’s love to each and every one of them. I encourage you to pray about this and take action! Constitute to love one another and share hospitality with those whom God has positioned around you.
Read More:
How To Host A Weekend Missions Festival – Small Church Ministry
