Serving God in a Migrant Crisis: Ministry to People on the Move by Patrick Johnstone

Serving God in a Migrant Crisis: Ministry to People on the Move Reviews

• 
  Bob

  Summary: Concisely sets forth the scope of our present-day global refugee crisis, how as Christians we might think about all this, and several levels of action steps we may take.
  
  We are facing an unprecedented refugee crisis. Corrupt regimes. Violent gangs. Climate change driven migration. Religious persecution. Ethnic cleansing. All these causes and more are leading people to do something no one wants or easily chooses to do--leave home, sometimes paying large sums to shady figures, with no certainty of finding refuge on the other end.
  
  Patrick Johnstone is well known to many as the author of successive editions of Operation World, a guide that has helped many of us pray, or even be led to go to parts of the world and people groups who have not heard the Christian message. His study of these people groups made him keenly aware of these unprecedented movements of people, and the possibility that the very people we hope to reach with the Christian message may be on our doorstep. The question is not, how will we reach them, but will we welcome them?
  
  Johnstone begins by inviting us to connect with our own immigrant histories and by drawing our attention to the one who we follow, who was himself a refugee as a child. In the first part, he explores the unprecedented human tide of immigrants, one out of every 122 on the planet. He turns to fears real and imagined and separates fact from fiction. Then he looks at the factors driving the refugee and migrant crisis, arguing that there is no end in sight and that more developed nations will be dealing with this for some time to come.
  
  In the second part of the book, he focuses on what we need to know. First of all, he helps us understand why people leave their homes, often taking great financial and safety risks to do so. He reminds us that the biblical story is an immigrant story. God even causes some immigration. Our savior was an immigrant. Immigrants are not the "other,"  but rather are people who are "one of us." Johnstone asks whether our immigration discussions ought to begin with policies and legalities, or with a concern of the humanity of the immigrant. Whatever we, and our nations do, it will have some kind of profound effect on the lives of real people, many of them among the most defenseless in the world. On the other hand, we often do not consider is that these people may turn out not as a problem to be solved, but a blessing. They provide needed workers in low-birthrate countries, some are fellow believers who rejuvenate the faith of complacent Christians, and some of our most respected scientists, political leaders, and business people have been immigrants.
  
  So, what should we do? That is the concern of the final chapters in the third part of the book. He begins by suggesting five starting points:
  
  1. Appreciate the strategic opportunity. God is bringing the world to us!
  2. Recognize and admit our past mistakes.
  3. Become more sensitive to other cultures.
  4. Believe that God truly cares about migrants.
  5. Start praying.
  
  This last point literally struck home. The author quotes a Ghanaian theologian who participated in African immigrant revivals, praying for the awakening of the West in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago. I live in Columbus and my church hosts a Ghanaian congregation. It made me wonder if some of those worshiping in our church building were among those the theologian was praying with. It makes me wonder if we are the ones being blessed by their presence and what they might teach us about prayer and spiritual warfare in the post-Christian West.
  
  He then concludes with four action levels: the individual, the church, what Christian agencies can do and what the global body of Christ can do. This lasts challenges us both in speaking to ourselves about the need at hand, and speaking to our governments.
  
  What was so refreshing about this book is that it stepped aside from media circus and the political fray and centered the discussion on the reality of the human crisis behind the policy debates and the biblical convictions and dispositions of the heart of people who follow Jesus the refugee. While not ignoring the important role Christians can have in challenging the government, it also focused on the critical role Christians can play in their home church communities by hosting refugees, welcoming immigrants into our homes, networking them into work opportunities, and sharing our faith with them.
  
  This last phrase will be a problem for some. Certainly, we should do all that we can for the immigrant whether they believe or not. But Johnstone makes a telling observation that comes out of his years of work among many people groups: "Immigrants will think it odd if you don't introduce your faith. They will wonder if you are ashamed of your beliefs for some reason." This reminds me that the greatest tragedy of yielding to the fears and insecurities that feed political bases and media ratings; is that in so doing we miss the opportunity to love the alien and the stranger, see them become friends, and perhaps witness their turning to new life in Christ. What others see as a crisis and a problem, Johnstone recognizes as a great opportunity. Will we?
  
  ____________________________
  
  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
• 
  James

  People are moving and people are being displaced. There are immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers all wishing to leave there country of origin, for a variety of reasons poverty, environmental catastrophes, terrorism, nations destabilized by war and revolution, and the promise of a better life somewhere else. “There are about 60 million people on the move . . . . 1 out of every 122 people on the planet today is out of there natural home” (15). “The world has literally come to our doorstep. Will we open the door?” (back cover).
  
  In Serving God in the Migrant Crisis, Patrick Johnstone and Dean Merrill teamed up to examine the causes of today’s refugee crisis and the global displacement, explore the Christian response towards immigrants and aliens, and describe actional steps that individuals, churches, non-profits and the global body of Christ can do to respond to immigrants, refugees and vulnerable strangers in crisis. Johnstone is the original author of Operation World (a global prayer guide for Christians), and a number of other Operation World resources. He served on the leadership team for Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ (WEC International) for 32 years and has been active in writing, in advocating for and ministering to refugees in his home, Derby, England. [Merrill is the author or coauthor of more than 40 books, but the ‘I’ voice throughout the book, is Johnstone’s].
  
  The book divides into three sections. In part one, Johnstone examines what’s going on. Chapter 1, describes the scope of the global migrant crisis. Chapter 2 explores our attitudes toward immigrants. Notably, Johnstone speaks to several fears people have about migrants. Against the charge that immigrants will take advantage of us and be drain on resources, Johnstone posits that once migrants start working, their payroll tax contributes toward social funding (25-26). He also challenges the notion that immigrants have ill will in their hearts (or maybe secret terrorists). Certainly, there is a risk, which government officials are aware of and work to neutralize, but the vast majority of immigrants are more likely to be victims of crime then they are to be perpetrators. Johnstone quotes Michael Collyer of the University of Sussex:
  
  Where rapid urbanization coincides with a significant rise in urban violence migrants are often blamed. However, newcomers are over-represtened amongst poor and marginalized groups who typically suffer the most serious consequences of violence—they are much more likely to be the victims of violence than perpetrators (26).
  
  Against the idea that helping people will only increase the flood of immigrants into our country, Johnstone allows that while may be true and that there are complicated issues around who immigrates and how (e.g. no one has argued for completely open borders), he reminds us that as Christians we ought to continue to treat immigrants as Divine image bearers (27). In chapter 3, Johnstone argues that with continued political unrest—failed states, and states which are on ‘shaky ground—as well as other factors, there seems to be no end in sight to global migration.
  
  In part two, Johnstone describes what we should know as we seek to respond to the migrant crisis. Chapter 4 describes why people run—the things that push refugees out of their homelands, and the things that pull them to seek asylum in the West (e.g. security, hope and the promise of a better life). Chapter 5 provides a brief overview of immigrants in the biblical story (e.g. Jesus, Moses, the people of Israel, etc). Chapter 6 exhorts us to behave compassionately towards immigrants and refugees and to challenge the policies that are harmful toward them. Often government policies in the developing world, leave refugees languishing and at-risk in their countries of origin:
  
  Whatever our nationality, citizens who care about justice for the “alien and stranger” need to work to reform these polices and practices. After all, 99 percent of the world’s refugees are not being savely restelled whether inside the borders of their own country, in a nearby country, or accross the ocean. Instead, they are waiting, waiting, waiting, often in squalid conditions as months and years tick by” (63-64).
  
  Johnstone challenges us further, to not let fear or politics get in the way of helping the stranger:
  
  Let it never be said that we “would have liked to” help today’s refugees, but the policy environment was not conducive, and so we turned to other activities. “Of course we want to keep terrorists out of the country,” says Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (United States) “but let’s not punish the victims of ISIS for the sins of ISIS.
  
  His collegue Matthew Soerens, United States director of church mobilization for WOlrd Relief, adds, “With governemetn doing its job of screening and vertting, our role can’t be to ask, “Is it safe?” We have to ask, “Who is my neighbor?”
  
  The need for real people—God’s highest creation—must always trump poitical arguements and personal fear. (68).
  
  Chapter 7 argues that the contributions of immigrants to society will both re-energize a complacent society, and a complacent faith (i.e. often refugees fleeing primarily Muslim countries, are Christians).
  
  In part three, Johnstone explores what we can do. Chapter 8 describes where we start. First, as an evangelical Christian committed to mission, Johnstone argues that we ought to appreciate the strategic opportunity of the world knocking on our door (82). Second, Johnstone argues that we need to admit and acknowledge our past mistakes, namely how Christian enmeshment with empire and colonialism is a driven a good deal of the current migrant crisis (86-89). Third, we need to become more sensitive toward other cultures (88-90). Fourth, we need to believe that God really cares about migrants (90). Johnstone points to a number of examples from the Bible that demonstrate God’s care for the immigrant (cf. Leviticus 19:33-34, Leviticus 24:22. Deut. 10:18-19, Deut 24:14-15, Deut. 27:19, 1 Kings 8:41-43, Psalm 146:9, Ezekiel 47:21-23, Zechariah 7:8-10, Hebrews 13:2).
  
  The remainder of the book, (chapters 9-12) describe what individuals, churches, organizations and the world church can do to minister to migrants.
  
  This is a short book, and certainly, Johnstone does not untangle all the issues. However, there are several aspects of this book I really appreciated. First, this book is certainly non-partisan. Johnstone is an old school evangelical but from a British, not American context. Many of the issues he describes were already pertinent before our current U.S. President took office. The current political rhetoric in this country makes it sound like Democrats care about helping people and Republicans lack compassion. The truth is that Republicans and Democrats have both been bad about carrying for immigrants. Second, I appreciate how much Johnstone sees the migrant crisis as an opportunity to care for others, to share our faith and to bless the world.
  
  Johnstone is more of a practitioner than a scholar and this is a popular level book (134 pages. I read it on a plane ride). Certainly what is said here can be nuanced but if you are looking at the world and wondering how as a Christian you ought to respond to the millions of displaced peoples, this is a good place to start. I give this four stars. ★★★★
  
  Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  George P.

  Millions of people are on the move today. They cross international borders fleeing war or persecution, seeking better economic prospects, or both. How should Christians respond?
  
  A 2016 Lifeway Research
  survey of 1,000 U.S. pastors revealed ambivalence. On the one hand, “Most pastors say Christians should lend a hand to refugees and foreigners, and believe caring for refugees is a privilege.” On the other hand, “pastors say their churches are twice as likely to fear refugees as they are to help them.”
  
  Patrick Johnstone, writing with Dean Merrill, thinks Christians need to be more hopeful: “I firmly believe that for Christians today, the current migrant surge is not a problembut a potentiality” (emphasis in original). He surveys the state of global immigration today, outlines a biblical and practical case for welcoming immigrants, then identifies what Christians individuals, churches, and relief agencies can do.
  
  I largely agree with Johnstone. As a Christian in America, I believe we are a big enough and wealthy enough nation to welcome immigrants. The strengths of Johnstone’s book are that it humanizes the immigrant crisis, shows why fears of immigration are overblown, and outlines  biblical attitudes about and actions toward “foreigners.”
  
  The weakness of Johnstone’s book is that it doesn’t wrestle with questions of law or public policy in a sustained or realistic way. On a handful of occasions, Johnstone concedes that he is not arguing for “open borders.” He then criticizes existing legalimmigration policies, even as he downplays the problem of illegalimmigration. “The needs of real people—God’s highest creation—must always trump political arguments and personal fear.” If immigrant need always trumps policy, then what’s the point of trying to enact policy in the first place?
  
  So, read Serving God in a Migrant Crisis to see how you and your church can respond to immigrants and refugees both at home and abroad. But if you’re looking for Christian guidance on immigration policy, keep looking.
  
  Book Reviewed
  Patrick Johnstone with Dean Merrill, Serving God in a Migrant Crisis (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2018).
  
  P.S. If you found my review helpful,
  please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
• 
  Marti Wade

  “Our world is full of war, poverty, terrorism, corruption, failed states, and ecological disasters, all of which uproot people and send them searching for a better life,” write Johnstone and Merrill. “I have news for you. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
  
  This brief but informative and compelling book puts today’s migrant crisis in perspective, describing its causes, effects, complexities, and implications for the global church. Each chapter concludes with thoughtful questions for readers to ask themselves. Several chapters explore what individuals, local churches, Christian agencies, and the global body of Christ can do.
  
  Both readable and well-documented, this book also surveys relevant biblical passages and principles. It does a good job steering clear of preaching or self-righteousness. It also points to helpful resources. Though more could be said about any of the topics covered, sometimes brevity is best. This book feels balanced and up to date. It might make a good study for your small group.
  
  Note that this is second in a series of books by Johnstone and Merrill on challenges facing the global church. The first is "Serving God in Today’s Cities: Facing the Challenge of Urbanization."
• 
  Mary Lou

  Patrick Johnstone’s new book, Serving God in a Migrant Crisis, is a call to Christians to treat the migrant crisis engulfing the world not from a legal or political point of view first, but as a moral issue in response to Jesus’ command: I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt.25:35). He cites contemporary research findings that show Christians’ apprehension about welcoming migrants into their countries. Speaking from a Biblical standpoint he then challenges that apprehension with the words: “The Christian’s care for people operates on a higher moral plane than the Christian’s concern for economic policy”(p. 53).
  
  Johnstone’s book is very well written, well documented, and appropriately challenging since “a staggering 42,500 people are uprooted every day. That’s one person every two seconds. Half of them are children” (p.5). The politics of this issue are rending nations apart, but Johnstone puts a human face on the complex problems involved and helps people understand why the migrants keep pouring out of their war-torn, gang-controlled countries, risking everything to find safety and hope in our broken world. This is a must read. M.L.Codman-Wilson, Ph.D. 8/25/16
  
• 
  Lacy Monahan

  “And so, because of a bloody, senseless civil war, a Muslim from a remote village in North Africa found herself forging a new friendship with a Christian. By every account, her life seems a tragedy. She’s certainly a victim of great evil. But what is equally clear, for those with eyes to see, is that God is up to something good.”
  
  I have read quite a few refugee/immigrant books, but thoroughly enjoyed this one. Lots of compelling stories, data and questions to consider.
• 
  Marti Wade

  Read the 2015 edition from GMI when it first came out. The 2018 edition from InterVarsity seems to be identical.