Warning of 'Dropbox' phishing scam: 

last week MI's main email, info@missions.org.nz, was temporarily compromised by a phishing scam and emails were sent out from that address that looked like they were from Dropbox: 

"Hi

I tried sending you some pdf document through attachments, but it says files are too large, so I had to resend using Dropbox Application Upload..."

If you receive an email like this delete it.  If you have clicked on a link supposedly for dropbox, then please change your password and secure your account.  Other organisations have been infected by this too, so please be wary of anyone sending you an unexpected invitation to view files via Dropbox, or change your Dropbox password.  Apologies for the hassle!!

From the Director’s Desk

Welcome to this edition of MI Link, dedicated to the theme of “Migrant Ministry.” With an increase of migrants coming to Aotearoa New Zealand, our churches are becoming vibrant multi-ethnic communities, presenting a unique mission opportunity.

In this issue, you will find compelling articles that showcase transformative initiatives:

• Your Home Away from Home: Kyoung Young Kim highlights the Rodem House ministry in Christchurch, where shared meals and fellowship create a nurturing environment for migrants, helping them to feel truly at home and experience God’s Kingdom.

• A Story of Mission, Church, and Migrants: Helen Clark recounts the growth of an English conversation class in Hamilton, powered by prayer and community-building, fostering Bible studies and connections among migrant families.

• Same Same: But Different: Allen Hou, founder of the Asian Community Transformation Trust, emphasizes the vital role of migrant churches in navigating challenges faced by diverse communities.

• Developing a Strategy for Migrant Ministry: Terry McGrath and Rev. Victoria Sibley-Bentley urge churches to embrace biblical principles of love and respect, encouraging active engagement with diaspora communities.

• Migrant Alliance and Integration Network (MAIN): Chris Ponniah discusses how Missions Interlink NZ supports churches in transitioning from mono-cultural to truly multi-ethnic congregations, embracing ethnic involvement from all nationalities.

I hope this edition inspires you to take bold steps in reaching out to migrants in your neighbourhood. Together, let’s grow vibrant multi-ethnic faith communities that reflect the heart of the gospel!

Blessings,

Chris

Your Home Away from Home: fellowship, food & family 

Migrant Ministry in NZ  Kyoung Young Kim

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Isaiah 32:18)

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2)

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6)

The Bible mentions “home” or “house” in many places. God, who doesn’t need a limited place or space, made humans long for “home”. There are so many people in NZ who left their homes and moved here short or long term. You don’t need to know the exact number of migrants in NZ, just look around. It’s easy to see different people and hear different languages. What do they want here? They want to feel at home here and feel a sense of belonging...

A story of Mission, Church and Migrants, Helen Clark, WEC

In 2011 a WEC missionary from Colombia came to Aotearoa with a heart for migrants.  In 2013 she settled in Hamilton to start as an intern with her church and work with refugee families.  She noted the migrants had English classes, but no English-speaking friends to practice with.  She decided to start an English conversation class at her church, despite her own English not being prefect.  With the support of the Pastor and WEC she began with a small team of volunteers from her church and other churches.  WEC provided cross-cultural training to the ministry volunteers in preparation.

Despite delivering many advertising flyers in the area around the church and other neighbouring areas, only one Colombian family turned up on the first night of conversational English classes.  However, the team persevered and continued speaking to migrants, telling them about the free class.  Over the next few weeks other families came, and numbers grew to 60, but still only Colombians.  The leader and helpers prayed for people of other nationalities to come too.  On the last night of the first term... 

Same Same; But Different 

Allen Hou, Asian Community Transformation Trust

Migrant – a person who moves from one place to another.

Aotearoa, like many countries, is filled with migrants. There are new migrants who apply for various types of visas to come to New Zealand, old migrants from before immigration policies changed back in 1987, the first Chinese/Asian migrants from the mid-19th century, and European settlers.

These days, when we use the word ‘migrant’ in New Zealand, we often refer to “1st or 2nd Generation Migrants” – those who were born overseas or whose parents were born overseas. In this context, we have migrant churches and various ministries that the Government and NGOs provide for this group of people.

Where does the Church fit into all of this?

I came to Christchurch on October 8, 1998. Although it was spring, the evening breeze was colder than the cold blast during Taiwan’s winter season. We were greeted by our agent Mr. Zoan, who represented the company “Fu Yin,” which actually means “Gospel.” This was the first time we encountered Christians and were invited to a community of Mandarin-speaking people attending the Christchurch Chinese Church. This started my journey of wearing new labels: Chinese, Asian, and Taiwanese. Chinese means people who speak Mandarin, Asian refers to the region we were from, and Taiwanese distinguishes the type of Chinese I am, since there were also Malaysians, Singaporeans, Mainland Chinese, and more. We were same same, but different.

For minority ethnic groups in New Zealand, churches and other religious communities are often one of the few ethnic community organisations. Much like the synagogues back in Jesus’ time, these faith communities are hubs that facilitate faith formation, business transactions, social interactions, produce exchange, and much more... 

Developing a Strategy for Migrant Ministry Terry McGrath ISMNZ & Rev Victoria Sibley-Bentley

“The foreigner living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:34) 

Ministry amongst the diaspora and migrants in our community is not complex but needs us to think sensibly and prayerfully, with a focus on:[6]

1. Knowing our community profile[7]
2. Being able to identify points of entry or felt need amongst our diaspora.
3. Developing a strategy for ministry within the diaspora e.g. 4 steps to a multicultural ministry:
   1. Identify and use welcomers
   2. Develop a team for ministry and prayer
   3. Make international student/migrant (diaspora) ministry a central feature of your church or group
   4. Develop partnership with missions groups and ministries that can assist you with resources and training as well as providing links for those returning to their home country.

An illustration of this is the story of Central Baptist Church in Palmerston North, whose story of welcoming the foreigner started with welcoming international students. A group of friendly, welcoming, mission focused members built relationships with international students, welcomed them into their homes and offered them friendship and hospitality, out of which, some of these students joined the church. At the same time and over a period of time, the church congregation also became aware of migrants feeling comfortable with the environment at Central Baptist. Some of these migrants began asking about Christianity and were interested in having a Bible study. The result of all of this together, is that the church now has a full Chinese congregation and Chinese pastor. Alongside this, there are many others in the migrant community who have found a place to belong there. Critical to this, has been the endorsement and support of their church leadership and consequently migrant ministry has become a part of their church’s DNA.

In our example of Central Baptist Church, we see a growing cultivation of cross-cultural competencies and people naturally interacting across cultures, with a genuine, loving approach to sharing the gospel. These are vital to upholding the value and dignity, the ‘mana’ of each person we meet, and for life-long discipleship...

Migrant Alliance and Integration Network

by Chris Ponniah

Migrant Alliance and Integration Network (MAIN) is a network of mission agencies and Christian organisations committed to collaborating for the benefit of migrant communities. We aim to come alongside local churches to help integrate migrants into their life and ministry, cultivating a rich tapestry of cultures and experiences within their congregation.

MAIN hosts semi-annual online gatherings for those involved in migrant work, to foster discussion and prayer. Additionally, we are establishing regional meetings to provide in-person support. We are also developing a team of experienced consultants and coaches to inspire vision, facilitate transition of churches into becoming multi-ethnic churches, and help churches develop their ethnic and migrant ministries.

MAIN came about in April 2024, when I led a new initiative brought about by a collaboration of mission agencies and Christian organisations united in a common goal: to empower churches to reach out to the vibrant, growing migrant communities in New Zealand. This initiative aimed to foster an environment where congregations not only embrace the individuals from diverse nationalities already within their congregation (seen in the graph below) but also engage with those living right at our doorstep.

For the next five months, the steering committee diligently crafted a draft Memorandum of Understanding which will become part of a whole new era for Missions Interlink. This new season for MI includes raising awareness for missions both locally and globally and helping churches in Aotearoa New Zealand identify and bridge existing gaps in their outreach efforts. One significant opportunity lies in embracing the influx of migrant Christians. This will undoubtedly enhance church attendance and foster a united, thriving faith community that celebrates diversity.

If you're interested in the ministry of MAIN, please reach out to me for more information.  Together, we can build flourishing faith communities that shine the light of diversity and inclusion!

Church Life Survey 2023 https://clsnz.org/image/CLSNZ_Booklet.pdf, pg. 7.

Note: the following add for the Webinar series sponsored by Missions Interlink Australia is hosted from Australia and occurs at 3.30pm MELBOURNE TIME.