Diaspora. Diaspor...what?

Diaspora.

If you say it fast enough, someone might say Gazoontite! (A German “good health” wish, commonly shared after a person sneezes).

Diaspora is a very old word that is finding new use in our modern and rapidly changing society. It comes from Greek and we see it used in Acts 8:1 where it refers to the early Christians who were “scattered” throughout Judea and Samaria following great persecution in Jerusalem.

Diaspora refers to a scattered population and is frequently used to denote modern movements of people through immigration, both voluntary and involuntary.

The Nations in Canada

When missiologists refer to diaspora, we are typically referring to groups of people who have been relocated geographically to a place outside of their home country.

We have a great sensitivity to the opportunities provided when people who were traditionally associated with foreign missions are now our neighbors. Canada has become a new home to millions of individuals who have immigrated from every corner of the globe.

Outreach Canada views this as an opportunity for the Canadian church to express love to our neighbours, who represent the world on our doorstep.

New Neighbours

The Bible is full of passages that call us to love our neighbor and show hospitality to those who are strangers/sojourners/immigrants among us.

The church has been commissioned with sharing the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ love and His offer of grace to all nations. For the last two-thousand years, the church has stumbled its way through some successful, and some very unsuccessful attempts to share God’s love around the word.

Today, this mission is right in our own neighborhoods.

We have so much to learn from our diaspora neighbours. When I lived overseas, I loved it when people asked me about Canada and our culture. It showed that they cared about things that were important to me.

As you meet your neighbors, ask them about where their family originated and about their cultures. You may learn some new things as you make new friends and demonstrate the love of God through your hospitality.

Diaspora Ministries

We realize that Diaspora Ministries is a common & important theme at OC. In light of this, a new team has been formed, led by Lorna Johnston, the Diaspora Ministries Leader. Stay tuned...more information coming soon on Diaspora Ministries!

When Craig Kraft was very young, he wanted to be a policeman or a cowboy. Later in life, he dreamed of being a professional fisherman or the manager of a remote wilderness lodge. Now, Craig is the Executive Director of Outreach Canada! Craig loves to watch sports, work in the yard & spend time in the woods. Craig loves that OC is a team of passionate people who work together toward the goal of discipling people into the kingdom of God and he loves the opportunities he has to work with so many different people across Canada & the world.