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Praise God!
We thank God for the growing awareness in the Church of the implications of the global diaspora phenomena. Last month, GDN Executive Committee Chair TV Thomas facilitated discussions on this topic with Christian & Missionary Alliance of USA denominational leaders, missions pastors and church leaders.
Prayer requests for the Diaspora Missiology Compendium project
Please pray for the Lord to provide abundantly to cover the compendium expenses. Please pray that copies may be shipped to major seminaries, colleges, divinity schools and missions training centers. Pray also for funds to compensate the technical editors.
Please ask God to give wisdom for the Diaspora Missiology Educators Consultation in Singapore, from March 2-6. The group will make recommendations on diaspora missiology curriculum and on using the compendium for training in academic institutions and local churches.
Pray that the compendium will be available in April 2016 and lead to a greater understanding of and involvement in God's plan in the movement of peoples.
Prayer requests from Global Diaspora Forum participants
Please pray for the mostly Nepali diaspora youth leaders from urban areas across India who will be attending the HimGlo Youth Leaders Summit in Goa from February 7-9. Ask God to empower these leaders to fight the good fight of the faith.
Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) is working to launch a forum to network Nigerian Christian leaders in diaspora. Pray that this forum will catalyze these leaders towards focused and fruitful engagement with the people groups they now live among. Ask God to send forth Nigerians to unreached areas as well. Lift up GDN Board member Mike Adegbile as he leads this initiative; ask God to give him wisdom, favor, and the support of Nigerian followers of Jesus worldwide.
The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency regarding the fast-spreading, mosquito-borne Zika virus. Please ask the Lord of creation to halt the spread of the virus and to eliminate its adverse effects. Pray for God’s calming and comforting presence to surround pregnant women in affected countries. As Brazil prepares for the Summer Olympics in August, pray that God will be known as the Great Physician.
Diaspora People in Focus: Chinese
This year, February 8 is Chinese New Year, a major celebration for Chinese families. For this holiday, hundreds of millions of urban workers in China will briefly return to their families in rural areas. Chinese New Year will also be celebrated by the 40 million Chinese have been scattered to nearly every nation.
Praise God for the amazing growth of the Church among the Chinese. Pray that the Father of lights, from whom comes every good and perfect gift, will bless even more families with eternal joy. Pray that as Chinese Christ-followers travel, the Spirit will lead them to share with those whose hearts are ready.
Pray for Chinese living in diaspora to know that Heavenly Father’s presence is always near. Ask the Lord Jesus to teach churches how to be families for diaspora Chinese. Pray that brothers and sisters throughout Africa will be equipped to reach out to Chinese laborers and business workers. Ask God to bless diaspora Chinese Christ-followers with favor, strength, energy and fruitfulness.
Country of Diaspora: Switzerland
Over 1 in 5 residents in Switzerland are foreign-born, from over 100 nations. Switzerland, one of the wealthiest countries, faces the challenges of an aging Swiss population and the social changes related to high levels of immigration.
Praise God for the unity of Christ-followers in Switzerland across denominations, languages and cultural backgrounds. Praise God for Latino and African congregations who are actively involved in Kingdom outreach.
Ask the Spirit to send renewal among all the churches. Pray for the people of Switzerland to realize the limits of worldly wealth and to pursue treasures that cannot be destroyed or stolen. Pray for youth to find satisfaction in God’s Word. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers among diaspora groups, especially Turks, Kurds and Albanians.
(Information gathered from Migration Policy Institute, cnn.com and Operation World)