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Ministry to diaspora peoples
by Justin D. Long
There are some tremendous opportunities for ministry and service among diaspora peoples (members of ethnic groups that live outside their native country). In some instances, these opportunities can yield even greater results than living and working among the peoples resident in their native land, since diaspora peoples often reside in open countries.
Take, for example, the Chinese. More than 60 million Chinese live outside of China (more than a third of which live in Taiwan). Of these, some 0.2 million reside in Africa; 53.6 million live in Asia (outside of China); 0.7 million live in Europe; 0.8 million live in Latin America; 2.6 million live in North America; and 0.3 million live in Oceania.
In a recent book I've been reading, 'Bold New World' by William Knoke, an entire section is devoted to the importance of diaspora Chinese in the local economies (p. 199-200). For example, the Chinese form just 1% of the population of the Philippines, yet comprise 35% of the sales of Philippine companies and two-thirds of the 50 largest enterprises. Chinese are 2% of the population of Indonesia but account for up to three quarters of private domestic capital and control 17 of the 25 largest business groups. In Thailand, the Chinese number 10% of the population but own 90% of commercial and manufacturing assets and half the capital in domestic banks. Chinese in Malaysia form a third of the population and have tight control of the economy. Altogether, diaspora Chinese number about 4% of the population of mainland China, yet represent a disproportionately large fraction of total global Chinese wealth. This economic setting has worked against them in some places: for example, the recent riots in Indonesia were specifically directed against the ethnic Chinese.
Ministering to ethnic Chinese in countries other than China can have some significant advantages. First, of course, it's easier to minister to Chinese outside of China. Indonesians are concerned about people evangelizing Muslims in Indonesia, but likely aren't as sensitive about people evangelizing Chinese. Secondly, diaspora Chinese are financially better off than mainland Chinese, and diaspora Chinese Christians could help to support missions to mainland China--either by sending 'tentmakers' back to China under the support of their companies, or through direct financial support.
There are several methods and ministries for reaching diaspora Chinese. If you're interested in pursuing this further, I'd recommend you contact Brent Fulton with ChinaSource (e-mail China@xc.org). In the meantime, in closing I would point out that what is true for one ethnic group -- the Chinese -- is also true of many others. Before you begin any sort of ministry abroad, you would be well advised to ask the question, "Are there any diaspora from my target group right here in my country, or even in my state?" Many times there are, and ministering among them can yield both good experience and, potentially, new opportunities abroad.
One word of warning: don't begin such ministry without first consulting experienced servants of the Lord. Plunging headlong into something you know very little about can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort. Learn all you can first, and you won't begrudge the time spent educating yourself later.