CONSIDERING A BIBLICAL MANDATE FOR PROVIDING HOLISTIC PASTORAL CARE TO DIASPORA POPULATIONS

Abstract

According to the United Nations, 232 million people worldwide qualify as diaspora/immigrant peoples (diaspora peoples being defined as displaced peoples due to economics, politics, health, religion, etc.) (United Nations 2015). The United States is the largest recipient of such displaced peoples with 46 million in 2014 (14% of the United States population of 320 million), this statistic increased 33% (12 million) since the year 2000. The Christian religion classifies the majority of all diaspora peoples in the world (49% or 105 million), but  the United States has a far greater number (74% or 32 million). However, this leaves 14 million unevangelized peoples who have arrived from unreached people groups (Pew Research Report 2012; United Nations 2015). This tragic, forced, modern migration of large population groups gives United States Christians a golden opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” (Matt. 28:18-20) . “For Christians who participate in God’s redemptive purposes, the migration of people, whether forced or voluntary, should be viewed not as accidental, but part of God’s sovereign plan” (Im 2014, 148).