Experiencing God in a Foreign Land (original) (raw)

God within migration processes in the contemporary global world

STJ | Stellenbosch Theological Journal

Understanding and perceiving God in situations such as migration and times of pain is a challenge for theology and practical ministry. The following question is inevitable: where is God in all this? In this context, the challenge for theology is to develop a theological theory that provides a constructive perspective that leads to coping. The suffering and pain are amplified among migrants due to diverse and multifaceted needs and problems. In view of such a situation, this article explores an understanding of God within migration processes in the world, with a view to developing theological hermeneutics for an integrated migrant ministry intervention. It draws parallels between the global context of migration and the Bible as God’s processes. From these parallels, a theological understanding is developed to provide insight and perspective on migration, which is then applied to develop a constructive view of migration as well as develop a migrant ministry. A migrant ministry and int...

Migrants and the bond with God: Attachment and survival are linked

The Conversation, 2020

Migrants who have left their home countries due to conflicts or human rights violations, and lost a caregiver (such as a parent or romantic partner), could be in dire need of a new caregiver. Migrants who are geographically separated from their loved ones need to reestablish a new attachment relationship with an available caregiver. Research on migrant attachment experiences presents a new way of looking at resilience within African diaspora communities.

Religion, Well-Being, and Therapeutic Landscape

The Psychology of Religion and Place, 2019

Religious communities and institutions have been pivotal in the growth of cities and urban communities in the world, usually as cradles around which large cities emerge. This chapter addresses the role of religion in the maintenance and promotion of populations’ well-being through the case of Ghanaian and Somali immigrants in Canada. Through an empirical study of religious groups and by the application of the therapeutic landscapes concept, this chapter shows how religious places help to nurture newcomers/immigrants into Canadian society. Attention is paid to whether religious places contain elements of the physical, social, emotional, symbolic and spiritual sense of well-being, and also how these help form and sustain community. The study revealed that religion is important as a factor in understanding the well-being of populations, but rather than viewing religion in narrow spiritual terms as a call to a Supreme Being, a wider view is warranted. In fact, the chapter advocates refr...