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Diaspora missions have been a primary tool for the spreading of the Gospel since the beginning of the church as recorded in the Book of Acts. This continues to be the case today, and in New England we are experiencing a great movement of Diaspora Christians engaged in missionary activity both in North America and around the world.

On Saturday October 25, 2008, EGC’s Intercultural Ministries and Grace Chapel in Lexington collaborated to bring together two dozen Diaspora mission practitioners and supporters from around New England to network, learn, and share about what God is doing around the world today through Diaspora missions. Attendees represented five continents and many countries, such as Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Peru, India, Brazil, Nigeria, countries in East and Southeast Asia, and others.

The consultation was also an opportunity for Gregg Detwiler, the Emmanuel Gospel Center’s director of Intercultural Ministries, to present the early findings of an ongoing Diaspora Missions Research Project being conducted through the Center. For the past few months, Gregg and his colleagues have interviewed Diaspora missions practitioners from across New England to learn in what countries they are doing missions, what types of ministry they are engaging in, and to hear how lives are being transformed in the process. The research has already been very fruitful, shedding light on the work being done around the world to advance the Kingdom of God, whether it is building schools, distributing food and medication, or building up church leadership in developing nations.

The interviews also highlighted some of the challenges faced by Diaspora missionaries. For instance, there is a need for more deeply committed partners both in country and in the United States, for further leadership training for those leading the ministry on the ground, and for stronger networking with churches in America. Gregg and his team will continue this research project in the coming months, with the hopes of using the data gathered to better serve and equip those engaged in particular types of Diaspora missions.

Using the information, they can connect those who are specifically engaged in youth ministry or leadership development or medical missions, or those who are serving specific regions or people groups. This will be invaluable in helping Diaspora missions practitioners form a stronger community and share resources, information, and ideas. The data will also serve to inform churches and individuals about the types of Diaspora missions being conducted from New England and how to pray for and otherwise support these missionaries.

by Sally Steele

[published in Inside EGC, November-December, 2008]