E-Connected Archive - April 2009
Bloom where you're planted
“Our work is witness. We witness at work.” What could happen if many born-again Spirit-filled migrant workers caught this vision?
Within the Muslim world it’s increasingly common for short-term contracts to be given to migrant workers. A large population of Asian migrant workers now live in the Middle East; Filipinos alone number around 1.5 million in the Gulf with Indian, African and Chinese workers also travelling extensively. |
 |
Short-term contracts are given in a wide range of fields including healthcare, construction, business, education, hotel work and other service industries. Most contracts are for 2-3 years but there are those who continue with the same overseas work for more than 10 years.
Many of these migrant workers are followers of Jesus. Whilst away from home and their normal worshiping communities, these dispersed believers often gather together with others in their area to form new fellowships. In almost all of these groups there are several people who have daily contact with local people. Nannies and domestic helpers in particular have 24-hour opportunities to relate with their local employers.
Global Initiatives & dispersed believers
If all dispersed believers intentionally bloomed where God has strategically planted them, this would make a huge difference to fulfilling the mandate of the Great Commission ‘to go and make disciples of all nations’. If each dispersed worshipping community were mobilised and equipped to take its place in the harvest force - in intentional and long term work to bless both expats and the local host communities - the possibilities would be endless!
This is where Frontiers can play a role – Consider the example of Abdul…
Abdul is a businessman from a restricted-access country in the Middle East. Whilst doing business in the city of another Middle Eastern country, Abdul married an Asian follower of Jesus. Following his marriage, Abdul would drop off his wife and pick her up from meetings of a dispersed fellowship located in the same city.
After a period of about a year, the Lord touched Abdul’s heart. Seeing the witness of his wife, her pastor and other members of the fellowship, Abdul decided to follow Jesus for himself. For the next twelve months, he was actively involved in the fellowship and was discipled by its leaders.
Due to events back in Abdul’s home country, he and his wife had to return home. A couple of years later he was able to invite the pastor, and another leader of the fellowship they had attended, to visit him and his wife in the restricted-access country they had returned to. On this occasion, they were able to baptise man
y new local believers in a gathering of about 80 adults which had been started by Abdul and his wife.
Frontiers would love to see stories like Abdul’s repeated. Through Global Initiatives we are committed to training, supporting and coaching fellowships of dispersed believers to reach out to Muslims in the places where they live and work. If you’re interested in finding out more about how you could get involved with this work, please contact us. To support this vision financially you can give online here.