Category Archives: Missions

More than just sanctuary, migrants need social citizenship

Nancy Berlinger. What can a city expect or demand of migrants as social citizens? Mindful that the process of social integration usually takes more than one generation, it would not be fair to expect or demand that migrants integrate into a new society on an unrealistic timetable.  https://aeon.co/ideas/more-than-just-sanctuary-migrants-need-social-citizenship

Who is the Stranger Next Door? An Honest Answer From a Stranger

Sadiri Joy Tira. Who is the stranger next door? There are diachronic and synchronic strangers; cultural, tribal, linguistic, and religious strangers; social, and economic strangers; and of course, relational strangers. Host nations see new immigrants or foreigners as strangers, but these people also see their hosts as strangers. Perhaps the answer is that we are all strangers to one another. Strangers are simply people whoContinue reading “Who is the Stranger Next Door? An Honest Answer From a Stranger”

Global Kingdom, Global People: Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World

Melba Padilla Maggay. In an age of unsurpassed globalization, Melba Maggay reminds us of the beauty of unique cultures no matter how small their imprint on the world may seem. Yet these cultures do not exist in isolation, but have a complex interrelation with one another, be they monoliths such as western capitalism or subsistenceContinue reading “Global Kingdom, Global People: Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World”

Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Local Churches

Sadiri Joy Tira. As an amateur anthropologist, I want to write about what I have observed about Coca-Cola, Starbucks and some local churches.  But before I go further, I want to make it clear that I am not advertizing Coca-Cola and Starbucks products, but am simply making a few comments about these beverages and theirContinue reading “Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Local Churches”

Beyond Hospitality: Migration, Multiculturalism, and the Church

Edited by Charles Cook, Lorajoy Tira-Dimangondayao, and Lauren Goldbeck. The Canadian landscape continues to change as we welcome people from every corner of the world. The church in Canada has historically been on the forefront of assisting new Canadians to settle in this country. But is that enough? The contributors to this book believe thatContinue reading “Beyond Hospitality: Migration, Multiculturalism, and the Church”

An Interview With a Partially Trained Multi-ethnic Community Outreach Worker

Juno Wang. This interview is taken from my intercultural education research paper written in April 2018.  The interview was conducted in person with an outreach worker who attended a one-year experimental training program in the Silicon Valley.  The purpose of the interview was to determine her training experiences, identify any barriers or challenges she hadContinue reading “An Interview With a Partially Trained Multi-ethnic Community Outreach Worker”

Exercise Buddies and Indian Bride Outreach

            After completing my GGBTS seminary training, I began to look for opportunities to form a group for my exercise buddies from the gym. The pastor with most seniority of a local Anglo church went to the same gym, and was very supportive of my gym outreach.  I joined his church and began to useContinue reading “Exercise Buddies and Indian Bride Outreach”

Engaging Chinese Diaspora in the Ministry of Bible Translation

Enoch Wan and Jeremiah Chung. This book provides readers the vision and rationale for engaging Chinese diaspora laity in Bible translation beyond traditional ways. By giving, praying, and sending, they will not merely promote transformation in the Bibleless people; they themselves, as volunteers and the related Chinese diaspora congregations, will be transformed. It includes practicalContinue reading “Engaging Chinese Diaspora in the Ministry of Bible Translation”

The 2011 Triple Disaster in Japan and the Diaspora: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward

Enoch Wan and Elton S. L. Law. The catastrophic March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami not only devastated that region of Japan but also triggered several potentially even more disastrous Fujishima nuclear power incidents. Even as geological specialists, nuclear physicists, economic advisors, political pundits, sociological analysts, and humanitarian organizers grapple with these tragic eventsContinue reading “The 2011 Triple Disaster in Japan and the Diaspora: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward”