Diaspora in the North
According to the United Nations, over 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and it is proliferating, especially in developing countries. Thousands are leaving their homes, flocking to urban areas for jobs and opportunities to provide better lives for their families. The growth is added to by ongoing refugee placements.
So what does this mean for the ministry field? SEND International has recently begun a new division called Diaspora ministries, focusing on the urban areas of development. By reaching people in a concentrated area, team members have a better chance of influence and have the potential to create disciples that are connected to their home villages and countries. We are building Diaspora teams in Alaska and Northern Canada. In even one city, we can reach a variety of people in a cross-cultural setting, even though it may seem non-traditional for us because it is an urban environment instead of a rural one.
Right now, SEND North’s Diaspora program is focused primarily on reaching the small pockets of people in our urban areas for the sake of sharing the Good News to people close to us. Diaspora comes from an Old Testament word describing the dispersion of the Jews in early history. It is used again by Peter in 1 Peter to address the early church Christians who fled from Jerusalem. At SEND North, we are interested in those that are dispersed from their homes and have congregated in the Far North. Our focus on these urban gathering places includes Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife. Our opportunities are only growing. In Anchorage alone, 100-200 refugees were coming in annually until recently. Anchorage is one of the most diverse cities in the United States.
Our Diaspora program is currently concentrated in Anchorage, led by a team member in the area, and operates in a 3-prong fashion. The first prong focuses on assessment. We strive to gather accurate information about the different sections of Anchorage so we can better serve the demographics and sections within the city. Our research has confirmed that our primary urban area is growing in diversity rapidly. Secondly, we collaborate with pre-established churches and organizations to facilitate and support work already happening. In as many ways as possible, we want to “focus on the bigger picture of the Lord’s work” as we assist other groups, our team leader emphasized. Finally, we want to utilize giftings and interests of our members to fill the needs as we see them. For instance, our team member that leads the program participates in a growing jail ministry in town. He cares for and shows compassion for those “in chains” (Hebrews 13:3). The diversity in the jails is equal to that outside, and people are hungry for the Gospel. To read more about the jail ministries, read last week’s article.
The need is great, and the workers are few. As we continue to focus on the second and third steps to the program, we need more members willing to jump in headfirst to our urban areas and engage with the need of such a diverse collection of people. Do you enjoy living in a suburban setting and want to add influence to your location? Consider the Diaspora program and visit our Opportunities Page .
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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