Out of the world’s population, 3.6% are migrants. That’s one in every thirty people. While that may not feel like much, it’s 128 million more migrant peoples than in 1990. Here in Manchester, that percentage increases dramatically. Thirty-one percent of Mancunians were born outside of the UK. Now let’s take these numbers into consideration and start thinking about the Great Commission in Matthew 28. When Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, many of us instantly consider the go. This is the missionary motto, right? But, what if the nations were at our front doors?
Traditionally missionaries have gone to monolithic people groups. Places with one main culture to be learned, one main language to be mastered, all in order to reach one main group. Yet, how does this idea hold up when the nations are on the move? For those who were born and raised in the UK this can be a tall task. To reach other people we must leave our comfort zones behind. We must learn, and empathize with, different cultural perspectives. Those perspective shifts can be jarring and difficult. There is no denying that human beings build barriers around their societies and going beyond those barriers requires risk.
I am also aware that the majority of our churches are part of the 31%. Many of us are migrants. Brothers and sisters, you have a unique perspective that allows you to cross cultural boundaries. Do not waste this advantage. In some ways, you have a headstart since the very risks that are faced by locals you have already overcome! Still, we face other serious challenges that are equally risky. Just like a runner who pulls ahead early in a race and then gets too comfortable, if we become complacent, we will simply leave our comfort zones just to create new ones elsewhere. Don’t let that happen to you.
With the nations at our doors, have we then calculated the risk of reaching out? Have we considered the cost of caring for the poor and least of these? Do we disregard this command because we are migrants and consider this command something for our local friends? Jesus took on the sin of the world and overcame it. If we believe this then we must believe he can overcome any difficulty or uncomfortable situation. This is our hope. It’s not a form of optimism. It’s not even a calculated risk. Our hope is in Christ whose unchanging character and promises are our guarantee. Scripture shows us that as God pours his love into us through his Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), the suffering we endure produces hope. We therefore cannot be a hopeless people even when those risks lead to difficulty! There is therefore no reason to shy away from the challenges that lie before us as we consider Jesus’ commission. We have been called to share Jesus with the nations. The nations are in Manchester. Jesus is our hope that surpasses any discomfort or difficult situation. Let us therefore be bold and courageous as we leave our barriers for the sake of the Gospel.
Rev Justin Siemens