Migration and mission: A literature analysis of the contribution of migrants to missions

Abstract

Migration is a common human phenomenon responsible for many socio-cultural, political and economic dynamics. It has been utilised in various ways to serve diverse purposes. It has also been a veritable means of actualising the Great Commission mandate in church history. Western countries used migration to spread missionaries worldwide by sending personnel to explore, study and Christianise foreign lands. With the decline of Christianity in the former Christian empire of the West and the advancement of globalisation, Christians in former heathen lands are now migrating to the West and carrying the burden to re-Christianise the West, which is termed Reverse Mission. The article utilises literature to elucidate the concept of Migration and Missions. It reveals how migration from the Global South to the Global North can be capitalised on to re-missionise the West. The article argues that migrant Christians involved in Reverse Missions should employ cultural intelligence to intentionally seek ways to minister the gospel in the socio-cultural contexts of Western natives, thereby moving beyond ministering only to migrant communities in Western lands.
Contribution: The article argues that African people relocating to the West can use this opportunity to take the gospel back to its source.