People movement, God movement

One of the great aspects of living in New England is the opportunity to interact with peoples of all tongues, tribes and nations. The multicultural diversity in this area is not only fascinating but also poses tremendous opportunities to further the Kingdom with the potential of impacting the whole world. World leaders are being formed in our universities here, and God has shifted the mission field to our neighborhoods. This reality also comes with some daunting challenges. 

The Gospel spreads through immigration

First, it is imperative to understand that immigration is more than a people movement, it is a God movement. Throughout history, we can trace the evangelization of lost people through immigrant influencers. There are many instances in the Bible in which God’s people were spread out to unreached people groups, and the end result was the expansion of the Gospel around the world. This is still a reality in our days. Data from trustworthy sources point to a modern diaspora like never before in the history of mankind. While many see this through the eyes of politics, human rights and economics, we must not overlook the spiritual aspect of God’s hand in establishing the geographical boundaries of immigrants in order to fulfill His purposes throughout history (Acts 17:26-27). In other words, let us not lose sight of the beauty of God’s intentions by sending His beloved children from all around the world to the unprecedented uniqueness of the New England mission field. 

We must cross ethnic boundaries

Secondly, as we perceive the move of God in moving immigrants to New England, let us be responsive to the move of the Spirit in our own lives, so as to get involved in ethnic ministry as a part of our own Christian calling. It has been said that the most segregated gatherings in North America happen during Sunday morning at church. Let us all make an effort to show a world desperately in need of salvation by embracing the unity amid diversity that the Bible teaches. If there is one message that the world needs to understand, it is that God’s people are united in the same way that the Son and the Father are one. And this so that the world may know that Jesus is the Son of God (John 17:20-21). There is a paradigm shift that needs to occur for the sake of the Gospel: from being content with the current status quo of living in our cultural comfort zones to taking the initiative to “treat the foreigner residing among you as your native-born. Love them as yourself...” Leviticus 19:34. 

Expect the unexpected

Thirdly, let us not forget how God works in mysterious ways throughout the entire biblical narrative. While the Egyptians were mistreating foreigners as mere slaves, God raised up Joseph to be a leader in times of famine. While Nebuchadnezzar relied on his inner circle alone, God sent Daniel to interpret his dreams. Let us also embrace the underlying biblical reality that God’s solutions will many times come from people, places and cultures that are very different than our own. It may well be that in God’s almighty sovereignty, a whole generation of multi-ethnic leaders is being raised in New England to bring spiritual revival to our land. Soli Deo Gloria. 

Joe Souza serves as the ethnic ministry coordinator at the Baptist Convention of New England.