Here Am I
Dr. Sunny Pappan
Stop settled classicalism, Move to Diaspora
The narrative of migration threads running through the Bible, beginning with Jesus' descent from
heaven to earth and culminating in His ascension. In between, the Gospels portray Jesus as a refugee,
migrant, and unimportant individual throughout His life. His final message to His disciples heard
themes of migration and diaspora, setting the stage for His followers to become messengers, carrying
His gospel across the globe. This inherent movement within the biblical story reflects the ongoing
journey of migrants, accompanied by the ever-present God. It extends even further, envisioning a
New Jerusalem descending from heaven, signifying the completion of the migration cycle and the
transformation of the world.
The New Testament concludes with John's exile on Patmos, but the Bible recounts numerous
instances of human migrations throughout, highlighting God's unwavering provision and protection
for His people on the move. John the Baptist's sojourn in the wilderness and Jesus' own experience as
a refugee serve as powerful testaments to God's deep understanding and personal connection to the
plight of displaced individuals. His teachings resonate with empathy for migrants, for he himself
walked among them.
Rooted in the emphasis on the Holy Spirit, Pentecostalism fosters a vibrant community of faith
expression. The Pentecostal mission has adapted and manifested through diverse strategies,
encompassing personal witnessing, evangelistic campaigns, and various other methods. As noted by
scholars, "Here practical faith in the power of the Spirit plays a more central place in the Pentecostal
missionary thinking." Additionally, the early Pentecostals were driven by the imminent expectation of
Christ's return, fuelling their missionary activities. The eschatological vision, fueled by the Holy
Spirit's power, motivated them to undertake global witness, believing themselves to be living in the
"last days." This perspective characterizes the Pentecostal mission as inherently both Present and
eschatological.
Mission has been moving slowly away from the classical church-centric to a world-centric
perception. The emphasis was not so much on what God was saying and doing in the world. Rather
mission is thought of in terms of serving the needs of the world and making life on earth more human,
that is, mission was thought of as humanitarianism. It is a shift from settled community thoughts to
save scattered people.
