Outreach to Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore: Understanding partnerships in diaspora mission between church and parachurch organizations

Abstract

The existence of a church–parachurch network for diaspora mission to Indonesian domestic workers offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities for church–parachurch partnership in Singapore and beyond. The four themes that characterize this network are: (1) a common vision; (2) generosity in resources; (3) camaraderie in partnership; and (4) collaboration for improvement. In this partnership model, the traditional categories of sodality and modality have undergone a reconfiguration. The partnership dynamic also witnesses a greater overlap of roles between the church and parachurch. Furthermore, communication in the church–parachurch network has gone beyond the usual church–parachurch relationships to include church-to-church connections. This church–parachurch network can therefore be a model for diaspora mission in other places.