Ministering to migrants
February-2024

In an Asian country, many migrants have come from elsewhere looking for jobs so they can send funds back to poor families at home.  One of our workers ministers to these people as they’ve struggled with everything from homesickness and the pandemic to host country immigration rules. The ministry gives them venues to relax with fellow migrants, to practice their cultural events, to get advice and health checks and to hear the gospel.

 This ministry is evolving and migrant fellowships are growing in numbers as more migrant workers come back into the country.  It’s exciting to see, and to be able to connect people with a fellowship in their area. Each fellowship now has two migrant worker leaders. Some of the new leaders speak and can translate from English, and are wanting to improve their English.

A new possibility is to have more involvement and engagement by local fellowships from the host country with the migrant workers.  This was difficult to achieve during the covid pandemic for various reasons. But now, some local fellowships have expressed an interest to be involved.  It would be ideal to eventually have each migrant fellowship linked with a local fellowship that provides support, encouragement, prayer and personal involvement. This can have a positive impact on both migrant and local fellowships, and is more sustainable for the ministry longterm.

Migrant Events

During public holidays day-long outreach events for migrant workers were held with around 200-300 people coming to each one.  These events include worship, message, eating food together, cultural programmes and counselling/prayer. In November there was a singing and dancing competition for migrant workers, and a volleyball sports competition.

Over Lunar New Year, there has been a weekend leaders retreat for migrant worker lay leaders and there will be a combined women’s programme in March. There are plans for a larger general event in April – usually this event is three days, but it is difficult to find a venue able to accommodate 300+ people for that time.

People who are away from their home countries hoping to make money to send home can be vulnerable.  Please pray with us for:

  • good health for migrant workers and leaders; many have struggled with health issues recently
  • migrant fellowships and leaders to flourish and new followers to grow in Him
  • more involvement from local fellowships in this ministry
  • sorting out logisitics and venue for the big programme in April.