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.
Convicted of his sin
Diaspora in Ontario: During street evangelism, we met a young Muslim man named A from Sudan. He listened attentively to the open-air preaching and was convicted by his own sin according to God’s law stemming from the 10 commandments. He didn’t have a Bible at home, so we gave him an NT and A said he would definitely read it. A encouraged me to continue to preach, gave me a hug, and left. Please pray for the word of God to touch A’s heart and that he will realize that reconciliation with God can only come through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Facing fear
Diaspora in Washington DC: Pray for believers facing fear. May they see, feel, and hear how God is meeting them in these moments and be strengthened, sustained. Pray they offer those gifts back to God by witnessing about His goodness to others around them facing these same uncertainties.
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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.”
