While the world of diaspora studies contains a vast amount of literature, few missiological writings presently address this topic. S. Hun Kim and Won Suk Ma have edited Korean Diaspora and Christian Mission, providing tremendous assistance to the Church when it comes to understanding the move of Koreans around the world.
Kim did Bible translation service with Wycliffe (Azeri language). He presently serves as a researcher for the Oxford Center for Mission Studies, Diaspora consultant with Wycliffe, and director of the Korean Research Institute for Diaspora in Oxford. Ma served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (Philippines). He is currently the David Yonggi Cho Research Tutor and Executive Director of the Oxford Center for Mission Studies.
The pre-publication copy was distributed during the Lausanne III (Cape Town 2010) congress in South Africa last year. While I was not present, the editors were gracious to send me a copy. At the time, I was writing The Strangers Next Door: Global Migrations and the Great Commission Opportunity for You and Your Church (forthcoming March 2012/Biblica) and could not wait to read their new book. I was not disappointed after it arrived; I found it to be a very important book on the subject. While I did not receive the final copy available for sale today, the table of contents are very similar and lead me to believe that the contents are also very similar.
This book is the first of its kind. Kim and Ma have done an outstanding job putting together a series of chapters addressing the movement of Koreans across the world as they live out the mission of God. Chapters address biblical, historical, and strategic matters related to the advancement of the gospel and church planting. Also, several case studies are included to illustrate the specifics of the work of the Spirit through Korean believers.
If you are interested in diaspora missiology, this is a book that you must have in your library. Kim and Ma are to be commended for their work in breaking new ground in missiological literature.
And on a related note, if you are a Korean believer, you should read this book, even if you are not interested in the subject. It will provide you with the historical background and vision for missionary activity that is a part of the wonderful heritage the Lord has given to the Korean people.
