“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:40 ESV
In recent years, the Church’s numerical and spiritual center of gravity has shifted to the Global South—two-thirds of Christians now reside in Asia, Latin America and Africa. This same shift is now underway in the United States, as Christians from these countries come as immigrants. Believing immigrant Christians represent one of the greatest hopes for the renewal of the American Church and of our cities, C4SO’s Diaspora Network learns from and connects immigrant churches and leaders, empowers the second generation and links primarily non-immigrant churches in local, mutual partnerships with the Global Majority Church here.
The Rev. Jonathan Kindberg, C4SO’s Diaspora Mobilizer, founded The Diaspora Network in 2021 as a way to bring together immigrant and diaspora communities across North America for resourcing, fellowship and mission. Born in Peru and raised in Chile and Panama, Jonathan has extensive experience in cross-cultural ministry and has been instrumental in various initiatives of the Anglican Church in North America related to engaging the Latino community and Church. Listen to Jonathan’s story on the C4SO Podcast.
“Jonathan has genuine expertise and the character and calling to create lasting partnerships with the nations on our doorstep,” Bishop Todd says.
Jonathan began by building a team and spending time listening to first and second generation immigrants inside and outside C4SO, specifically the Latino, Brazilian and Nigerian communities. Now he focuses his efforts on strengthening mutual ministry partnerships and helping communities serve one another for the sake of others. The Diaspora Network has city-based networks in Austin, TX, and Phoenix, AZ (in partnership with the Daniel Initiative), and a group of affinity-based immigrant congregations within C4SO. New Latino congregations or ministries are underway in Kansas, Texas and Honduras.
“We believe immigrant Christians represent one of the greatest hopes for the renewal of our cities and of the North American church,” Jonathan says. “God is bringing the nations here.”
For the past two years, Jonathan and his team have gathered a vibrant multi-ethnic group of people from C4SO and beyond for the annual Diaspora Network Conference. The conference typically begins Friday night with “The Nations Worship,” a time of music and prayer open to the public that gathers immigrant churches near and far. The conference continues on Saturday with facilitated small group discussions around global mission, the practice of mutuality in receiving one another’s gifts, and thriving partnerships between immigrant and non-immigrant churches. The 2024 Diaspora Network Conference will take place September 13-14 in Phoenix, AZ.
In all he does, Jonathan seeks to cast a vision for how C4SO churches and parishioners can help to celebrate, connect and learn from immigrants. “What if every immigrant Christian saw themselves as a missionary to North America?” he says. “What if every immigrant church in the city was celebrated and connected to the broader Church in the city? What if immigrants and non-immigrants partnered to empower the second generation as they were released and mobilized? We invite you to partner with us in this important work.”
Ways to Get Involved
- Build Relationships: Regularly visit and get to know an immigrant church in your city.
- Learn From: Invite Diaspora leaders to help guide your Global and local mission work and strategy.
- Pray: Join the Diaspora Network for weekly prayer over zoom with and for the nations: Wednesdays in Spanish 12-12:30 p.m. (CST) and Fridays in English 9-9:30 a.m. (CST). Click here to join.
- Host: Host an immigrant church in your building or financially support an immigrant pastor or church.
- Multiply: Plant an immigrant church or an immigrant-focused church service.
- Financially Partner with the Diaspora Network. Choose Diaspora Network from the drop-down menu.
Email Jonathan to explore a partnership.