The African Diaspora
Population: It is estimated that nearly 19 million Africans live off the continent of Africa. These men, women, and children are the African Diaspora, some of whom are probably your near neighbors. About 3 Million African Diaspora live in North America, 5 million in Asia, and another 11 million live in Europe.
Location and Background: The African Diaspora live around the globe, and their histories and reasons for leaving the continent are diverse. Some are refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants, students and professionals, undocumented immigrants, and tragically, others are victims of human trafficking.
History, Culture, and Religion: Because the African Diaspora come from Africa’s 54 individual countries as well as many of the continent’s outlying islands, each group’s history, culture and religion varies widely.
A Unique Opportunity: Many of the African Diaspora come from nations that are closed to missionary outreach, so their presence in places like Europe, Australia, and the Americas presents a unique opportunity to share the Good News with men and women who may have never heard it in their homelands, and who may one day to return their nation of origin transformed by Christ and eager to share their new hope with their friends and family.
Gospel conversations
Diaspora in Alberta:
- Praise God for the Gospel opportunities we had in January – one with a friend who always seemed closed to that kind of conversation. Pray that we can get together again soon, even during Ramadan, and continue going deeper with spiritual discussions.
- Pray that our Somali neighbors would accept our invitation to our house soon and that God would guide our conversations as we get to know them.
Profound demonstration*
Diaspora in Minnesota: Pray that in this challenging time in Minnesota, Christians can truly be a light to the Somalis around us. Pray that the Somalis will see how Christians care for them—as a neighbor—in profound ways demonstrating the Gospel.
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“Whether they are economic migrants, international students, undocumented immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers, one fact remains the same – They are the new neighbors our churches are called to love.”
