SERVING GOD IN A MIGRANT CRISIS PB

Some call today's refugee crisis a disaster. Patrick Johnstone sees divine blessings. Millions are on the move, driven by war, drought, terrorism, poverty, failed states, environmental catastrophes, disease, revolutions, and the desire for a better life. Christians have a unique perspective because Jesus was a refugee. So was Abraham. So was Joseph. So was Moses.

'God has used migration for millennia to achieve His purposes for His people,' says Johnstone, the pioneering missionary researcher and author of the bestselling book Operation World. 'He is doing so again in our time.' Today, some turn their backs on refugees. Patrick Johnstone helps us understand what's causing today's refugee crisis, explore Christian theology and tradition on migration, and see how Christian workers around the globe are opening their hearts to embrace these modern outcasts.

'The world has literally come to our doorstep,' says Johnstone. 'Will we open the door?'

Book review by GLO General Director, Dr. Stephen McQuoid 01/06/2017
'Serving God in a Migrant Crisis' by Patrick Johnstone is a brilliant little book. This is a very timely publication given that the whole issue of migration is such a hot topic. Johnstone begins by talking about the scale of the migrant problem emphasizing that it is an issue that will be with us for a long time and then asks the reader to analyse how they feel about migrants. This is followed by an interesting analysis of failed states, wars and religious and cultural tensions that force people to run away from their homelands. Among his fascinating statistics is that some 13% of the world’s adult population (some 640 million people) say they would like to leave their country permanently.

He recognises that host countries can have real difficulties with migration and that in many place it has caused genuine social, economic and political unrest. However, he calls for compassion, especially from Christians who should recognise that Jesus himself as once a migrant and that we are commanded in scripture to welcome the stranger. He also forces the reader to think more deeply about the migrant issue and its causes. For example, in the USA many are concerned and angry about Mexican and other Latin migrants who come into their country. However, Johnstone points out that many of these migrants are running in fear from the drug cartels that have made their lives unbearable, and those drug cartels are themselves made strong because of the insatiable appetite in the USA for illegal drugs!

Johnstone finishes off by urging Christians to see migration as a great gospel opportunity and there is some practical advice as to how local churches, individual Christians and Christian agencies can reach out to migrants and win them for Christ by showing Christian concern and practical help. This is a book that every thoughtful church leader and Christian should read – especially if the issue of migration worries you.

Paperback: 148 pages
Publisher: Malcolm Down Publishing Ltd (30 Sept. 2016)