Mission in the Diaspora: The Role of Migrants (Refugees) as Principal Bearers of the Christian Faith

Abstract

Th is paper explores migration and displacement as both a crisis and opportunity. It maintains that throughout biblical history—and even in the history of modern mission—migrants and refugees have often become the principal bearers of the Christian faith. In our own generation, Africans who have migrated to other parts of the world for various reasons have traveled with their faith. Many African churches such as Kingsway International Christian Centre, Th e Church of Pentecost, Winners Chapel International, International Central Gospel Church, and Victory Bible Church International have all established branches of their churches in the diaspora through the efforts of their members who have migrated abroad. These Christians often come together in house fellowships, which metamorphose into churches and then pastors from their home countries are sent to lead them. Th is situation, I have argued, accounts for the significant expansion of the African churches in the diaspora.