The Diaspora Returns Home
Author | : Bryan M. Woods |
Publisher | : Wipf and Stock Publishers |
Total Pages | : 229 |
Release | : 2024-03-15 |
ISBN-10 | : 9781725292369 |
ISBN-13 | : 172529236X |
Rating | : 4/5 (36X Downloads) |
Download or read book The Diaspora Returns Home written by Bryan M. Woods and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2024-03-15 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, the Vietnamese diaspora, including some of whom are Protestant Christian Việt Kiều, have returned to their natal homeland of Vietnam in large numbers. This book investigates the phenomenon of the Protestant Christian Việt Kiều who have returned and reestablished belonging in Vietnam with a missional purpose and the perspective of non-migrant local Protestant Christian leaders as a case study of diaspora missiology. It is based upon doctoral research utilizing in-depth interviews which sought to answer the following questions: 1) What are the motivating factors of Protestant Christian Việt Kiều returning to Vietnam for mission-related purposes? 2) What has been the experience in ministry of the returning Protestant Christian Việt Kiều regarding mission-related reasons for returning? 3) How have the non-migrants experienced the phenomenon of return? This book explores the answers to these questions as a case study of diaspora missiology. Findings suggest that the Protestant Christian Việt Kiều are welcomed back in Vietnam and contributing in many dynamic ways in the homeland. At the same time, the return journey is a road layered with complexities, contradictions, opportunities, and unique challenges. Findings from this diaspora community engaged in missions by and beyond the diaspora give insight into the paradigm of diaspora missiology and temper the enthusiasm for widely promoted theory. Important questions arise regarding how far diaspora as a framework can carry us.