Reimagining Community: Engaging Migrants, Refugees, and the Diaspora in the Great Commission

What happens when your neighbours become strangers overnight? The world is witnessing dramatic shifts in where people call home, who their neighbours are, and the very definition of “community.”

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, we explore how churches can rise to the challenge and reimagine what it means to build community in the midst of migration, refugee crises, and global urbanisation.

We are joined by our expert guests:

Dr. Matthew Niermann: Analyses global trends in communities on the move, based on the findings from Lausannes forthcoming State of The Great Commission Report.
Dr. Sam George: Discusses the crucial role of Diaspora communities in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Together, we’ll explore:

How migration and refugee movements are reshaping communities.
The challenges and opportunities churches face in ministering to people on the move.
How Diaspora communities are taking the gospel everywhere in the world.
The practical steps churches can take to engage Diaspora communities.

Embrace the challenge of reimagining community!

Subscribe now and join the conversation. Learn how your church can build bridges with refugees, empower Diaspora communities, and contribute to the Great Commission in an ever-changing world.

For further information about the Lausanne Movement, please visit our webpage: https://www.lausanne.org

We’d love your feedback to help us to improve this podcast. Thank you!

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Guests in This Episode

Dr. Sam George

Dr. Sam George, originally from the Andaman Islands in India, was born to Christian parents from the heritage of Kerala’s St. Thomas Christians.

Dr. George holds degrees in mechanical engineering and management and spent a decade working across Asia and the US. His academic pursuits continued at Fuller and Princeton Seminaries. Over the following twenty years, George was instrumental in founding two family-focused organisations: Urban India Mission and Parivar International. He earned his PhD in theology from Liverpool Hope University (UK), specialising in family, church, and diaspora studies. Presently, he lectures on global migration, diaspora missions, and world Christianity, contributing extensively through articles, book chapters, and books. George resides in the northern suburbs of Chicago, USA, with his wife, Dr. Mary M. George, and their two sons.

Matthew Niermann

Director of State of the Great Commission Report

Matthew Niermann has served the Lausanne Movement since 2010 in a variety of roles including research and operations. He is currently serving as the director of the State of the Great Commission Report for Lausanne 4. In addition, he serves as a dean and professor of architectural design at California Baptist University, where his research partially focuses on the relationship between creativity and Christian witness.