Diasporas: People on the Move
| Written by Sadiri Joy Tira |
| Thursday, 27 August 2009 17:09 |
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I met Ibrahim* at Starbucks. Ibrahim is a Ph.D. student from Nigeria. He loves Toronto and the Canadian lifestyle. Though raised as a Muslim, in Canada he feels free to explore what “the world has to offer.” Ibrahim is dating Nia, a recent immigrant from the Philippines who works in telecommunications. On Sundays Nia attends a local Catholic church, because she says there she “feels at home.” Both Ibrahim and Nia are looking for community in Canada. I also met Florica* at Starbucks. Her father is Romanian and her mother a Filipino. Florica was born in the United States, but she divides her time between her American Ivy League university and her university in the Philippines. She travels across North America representing her Asian-American Culture Society. Her boyfriend is an Irish American Catholic. Florica is constantly researching her roots and has a great desire to connect with both her families in Europe and in Asia. I think that she is the face of the future. I met another interesting person at Starbucks - Dr. Albaker.* Dr. Albaker is a medical specialist living and working in Toronto. He is very busy, but still takes the time to drop into Starbucks for a regular coffee break. People are on the Move. Undeniably. But what does this mean for local churches? In this “borderless” world, can you imagine the international ripples if only my Starbucks friends encountered Christians in Canada who have been trained to interact cross-culturally; who share their cross-cultural interests; who have been given strategic evangelism and discipleship tools? Can you imagine them telling their families about new faith in Jesus Christ? In turn, can you imagine their families introducing Jesus Christ to an extended network of relatives and friends “back home” including friends who are “people on the move”?
On the other hand, there are people from “here” moving “there.” My brother-in-law, Rudy* is a Filipino-American Civil-Engineer, raised in Hawaii, and with the US Navy. Just recently, he was stationed and deployed to Afghanistan as an engineering instructor. Imagine how many people he comes in contact with who have the potential of being witnesses for Jesus Christ in a war-torn country. Imagine if Rudy was trained and equipped with evangelism and discipleship tools. If Rudy and other Christians “on the move” like him were trained in cross-cultural communication and were effectively debriefed on their hosts’ culture, imagine how they could witness. People today are on the move! Now here is the question: How can we better reach “people on the move”?
We now have an unprecedented opportunity to introduce the Diasporas to Jesus Christ and invite them to become part of His Church. With Lausanne Diasporas, we are proactively responding to this major global trend of Diasporas and the Diaspora issue will be addressed at Cape Town 2010. Pray that Diaspora Missions will be embraced by the Whole Church. *Names have been changed. Sadiri Joy Tira (D.Min., D.Miss.) is the LCWE Senior Associate for Diasporas, the Global Ministries Diaspora Specialist for the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada, and the International Coordinator for the Filipino International Network.
|
I
am at Starbucks watching people. Yes, I
“people-watch” at Starbucks. If you have
ever wondered where to meet people from around the world, spend a couple of
hours at Starbucks.
There
are thousands of “people on the move” in Canada. One need not look further than the local
Starbucks to meet Diaspora peoples. They
are studying in our schools, drinking coffee at our cafes, serving our meals at
our favourite Sunday restaurants, playing with their kids in our playgrounds,
and jogging around the park with us.
They may even be living “next door.” 
Comments
The global Church and the Canadian local congregations in particular dont need to be challenged! They have enough. What we need is open our "eyes", change our "hearts" and get our "hands" soiled right here. Missions can no longer be done alone via "lineal" movement (e.g. sending - receiving; territorial --- "here-there;" "local" (evangelism) --- foreign (missions). The Great Commission is effectively fullfilled through "multi-directional" approach i.e. non-spatial; going everywhere where God placed people. This is the 21st Century reality. People are moving everywhere in our planet and they are right in our backyard and our "door step"! Anyhow, I appreciate your eschatological exhortation.
JBT
Your wise Kingdom investments to support the training of leaders is commendable.
JBT
But what specific strategies and practices help give people this interest initially? I'm thinking about ideas like using U-tube videos to help the reality of God's people around the world become more tangible. Or, maybe sharing stories of how regular people in other places touch people's live through non-intimidating, small-scale ministries. I'm wondering if this would inspire people to try doing something similar in their own area, but with the amazing and motivating understanding that they are sharing the same purpose with another person around the world. Any other ideas?
Thanks for you comments. Your U-tube idea is excellent. We are living in high-tech world and we need every tool to get our STORY heard, read and something people enjoy watching!
Two tumbs up,
JBT
Starbucks? That is a good place to gossip and no body will ever stop you as long as you dont disturb others and spill over your "tall" pike or Colombian coffee!
JBT
So, when my class reached Yola (The Adamawa State Capital) on our way to "Koma Hills" for a missions trip, someone in my class reminded me of my boast. So, we walked into the market (I and two witnesses). We met the first Igbo man and asked him him where we could buy "Ogbono" (a local seed used in preparing soup) and he gave us direction. As soon as we walked into that section of the market, someone called me by name. That was my first time of visiting Yola. I was right, there were people from my village in Yola and all over Nigeria.
Nigerians are all over the world and so are other peoples. Your six, well articulated points may be known to many church leaders. The challenge of this conference is on how to get even mission leaders to implement what we know. How many Mission Associations are mobilising non-members? How many are inflencing denominations to rethink their policies? How many are interested in inflencing the curricula of even Evangelical Seminaries talk less of reaching out. Who is mobilising prayer outside the "fire-brigade" programmes, Who is training pastors? Who is raising awareness in Eastern Nigeria? Which Mission leader listens to inovative ministries?
While thanking God for the progress made thus far in world evangelisation, my position is that in most cases, the gospel is just spreading. We currently have all we need to evangelise the world, unfortunately, we are not applying them to that purpose. May the church leaders awake to wake the church!
If I were you, I start working with like minded people who share your dreams and ministry. I also deal with people who are difficult to change and dont see beyond their four walls. However, I found consolation with many other Kingdom workers beyond my own organization. So with out out burning "bridges" with my own, I have expanded my "tent" to the left, and to the right. I share your questions and even your frustrations but there is HOPE! Let the Holy Spirit move minds, hearts and hands.
Your article is so interesting since I am also working among the Filipino Diaspora. I plan to do as thesis concerning them and their situation. For the past ten years of working with them, my heart has mix feelings because of the different results of going abroad. Some are worth rejoicing and some causes my heart to break for them and for our country. But nonetheless, both can be seen as opportunity to become part of the fulfillment of the Great Commission . I will keep on reading your blog.
Thanks a lot...