How Far are Missionaries Sent?

It may come as no surprise to you that US churches send the most missionaries. According to an article on the Gospel Coalition website, churches in the US support around 127,000 of the 400,000 missionaries serving worldwide. 

But did you know that the US also receives the most missionaries? This same article reports that the US currently hosts more than 32,000 missionaries from other countries. This influx of missionaries from other countries comes from two fairly recent developments: maturing churches in the global south and diaspora peoples moving to the US.

The nations are coming to Houston.

And God is orchestrating their movement.

If you haven’t grabbed a copy of it yet, you need to read Philip Jenkins' The Next Christendom. In it, Jenkins chronicles the stunning growth of the churches in the developing world and argues that the center of Christianity is shifting from the western nations to the global south. To ignore this mighty work of God is to be left behind in the changing face of missions. The mission field is becoming the mission force and they’re sending the majority of their missionaries to the diaspora peoples living in the US.

What are diaspora people? 

You might recognize the word “diaspora” from the New Testament. You’ll find the word in John 7:35, James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1. This word originally referred to Jews—and later applied to Christians—scattered from their homeland throughout the world. Lately, others have employed “diaspora” to include peoples caught up in the great migration taking place in our day. Many of these come to make their home in the US.

The Immigration Act of 1965 opened the door for a wave of immigrants and refugees. Pew Research reports that the number of foreign born residents in the US grew from 4.7% in 1970 to 13.7% in 2018 . Josh Ellis, Executive Director of the Union Baptist Association, estimates that Houston is home to more than 350 people groups, speaking 220+ languages. The Greater Houston Partnership website puts the number of Houston’s foreign-born at 1.7 million. 

While daily news feeds and social media debate the political implications, Acts 17:26-27 makes it clear that something bigger is going on. As my friend Keelan Cook likes to say, for Christians, politics needs to speak a word but the gospel must set the agenda. The simple fact is, the nations are coming to Houston. But the larger truth is, God is orchestrating their movement.

Alright, I’ve cut the bait; now let’s fish. 

When “going” doesn’t require a move

We need diaspora missionaries. We need missionaries who will do whatever it takes to carry out the core missionary tasks among Houston’s diaspora peoples. We need men and women who will commit themselves to establish churches in Houston that can reach every nook and cranny of this great migration. This need flows out of a new dimension to international missions. Sending missionaries from the west to the rest is no longer adequate when many of the least-reached peoples “over there” are coming here. We’ll always need missionaries sent there. But today there is an urgent need for missionaries who are sent here.

“Sending missionaries from the West to the rest is no longer adequate when many of the least-reached peoples “over there” are coming here. ”

That’s one reason we’re offering the Missionary Sending Cohort this January. The Missionary Sending Cohort is a two-semester workshop that equips believers in the theory and practice of the 6 core missionary tasks: entry, evangelism, discipleship, church formation, leadership training, and engaging new fields.

This small group of participants meets every other week, taking the week off in between to apply what’s being learned. This cohort not only equips international missionaries sent “over there” but also diaspora missionaries sent here.

Are you sent here?

Maybe you’re currently serving among Houston’s foreign-born population.

You’re building relationships, meeting needs, and even having gospel conversations with immigrants. But maybe you sense a need for more.

Maybe you encountered circumstances that prevented an international missionary appointment.

“A great many of Houston’s 1.7 million foreign-born people grope in the darkness, waiting to bump into you and me, hoping to find Him (Acts 17:26-27). Let’s be prepared to engage them well.”

This obstacle can deal a crushing blow to those who feel they’re sent but simply can’t go. Diaspora missions is no guaranteed path to do here what you desire to do over there. It will come with its own set of challenges. But your desire combined with this pressing need means that the Missionary Sending Cohort deserves a closer look.

Maybe you’re a church leader who sees the need for a missionary approach among Houston’s diaspora peoples.

You sense the need for an approach that works to establish churches able to reach every nook and cranny of Houston’s foreign-born population. You realize that they’re probably not coming to you so you’re going to have to go to them.

Talk with your pastor. Share your burden and this opportunity. If you get a green light, contact me a cris@ubahouston.org. A great many of Houston’s 1.7 million foreign-born people grope in the darkness, waiting to bump into you and me, hoping to find Him (Acts 17:26-27). Let’s be prepared to engage them well.

As the Senior Consultant for Sending Pathways, Cris Alley helps support the local church in thinking and acting like missionaries.

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Photo by Alisa Matthews on Unsplash