The Global Remittances Guide, recently released by the Migration Policy Institute, is a fascinating resource. It is estimated that 216 million people (three percent of the world’s population) live outside of their countries of birth. This is roughly equivalent to the population of the fifth largest country in the world.
Global remittances, monies sent from one country to another by those who have migrated, amount to over a whopping half-a-trillion U. S. dollars. This is another piece of evidence pointing to the fact that once someone migrates from China to the Middle East, from Nepal to Western Europe, or from Senegal to North America, he or she often remains in frequent contact with family, friends, and acquaintances “back home.”
International migration is one of the most important matters of our day when it comes to the Great Commission. Churches, denominations, networks, and agencies must take this global matter into consideration and adjust accordingly. Such is a matter of Kingdom stewardship. If the Divine Maestro is orchestrating the movement of the nations for His glory (Acts 17:26-27), then the Church should pay close attention to such contemporary realities.
Take a look at this resource, especially the Total Remittance Inflows and Outflows. I think it will give you a new perspective on the movement of the peoples. Such movements are not just happening in one direction; large waves of people are moving from everywhere to everywhere.
MPI is to be commended on such great work and helping educate us on the world in which we live.
(image credit: Migration Policy Institute)