The field of diaspora missiology has erupted over the past twenty years as a legitimate subfield of missiology. Diaspora missiology studies occur at the intersection of missiology and migration theory with an emphasis on strategies to minister to and through the diaspora populations of the world. While the prevailing focus in diaspora missiology rightly centers on ministering to non-Christian immigrants, many immigrants to the United States identify as evangelicals (16% according to Pew Research Center). As members of the global evangelical community, how can American evangelicals minister to evangelical immigrants?
In this paper, I will demonstrate that one of the most impactful ways that the American church can be a partner in global evangelicalism is to demonstrate biblical hospitality to the evangelical immigrants inhabiting our communities and churches. Unfortunately, The Immigration Coalition estimates that eighty-five percent of immigrants to the United States have never been invited into an American home, a reality that likely encompasses the experience of evangelical immigrants.
First, utilizing the literature in diaspora missiology and biblical studies, I will briefly explore the biblical teaching on hospitality toward immigrants. Second, I will analyze the evangelical immigrant population in the United States, their experiences with other evangelicals, and the significance given to hospitality in non-Western cultural frameworks. Third, I will propose a strategic framework for churches to minister to evangelical immigrants. Finally, I will forecast the potential missional impact of hospitality as American evangelicals minister to immigrants.
While much has been written concerning the importance of hospitality as an evangelistic technique in diaspora missiology literature, little has been written on its practice with evangelical immigrants. This paper hopes to contribute to this deficiency.