Christianity and Conversion Among Migrants

Moving Faith and Faith Movement in a Transit Area
Erscheinungsjahr 2020
ISBN: 978-90-04-44344-0
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 17, 296 Seiten, Format (B × H): 158 mm x 233 mm, Gewicht: 431 g

Reihe: Theology and Mission in World Christianity

In Christianity and Conversion among Migrants, Darren Carlson explores the faith, beliefs, and practices of migrants and refugees as well as the Christian organizations serving them between 2014–2018 in Athens, Greece. This is the first major study of migrant faith communities and refugee centers conducted in Athens. The study traces the travel stories of participants as they leave their home countries and migrate to Athens.

Darren Carlson discusses the ways evangelical and Pentecostal Christians served migrants along their journey, how churches and specific refugee centers served and proclaimed the gospel, and the impact Christian witness had on migrants, particularly Muslims, who were converting to evangelical Christian faith.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Carlson, Darren

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christentum/Christliche Theologie Allgemein Missionswissenschaft, Missionsgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

List of Tables and FiguresI

1 Methodological Reflections

1.1 Overview of Research

1.2 Missiology, Diaspora, and Ethnography

1.3 Critical Realism, Theological Understanding, and Social Science

1.4 Challenges to Conducting Research with Immigrant Populations

1.5 The Participants

1.6 Insider/Outsider

1.7 Interviews

1.8 Participant Observation

1.9 Research Ethics

2 The Field of Study

2.1 The Great Movement of People

2.2 Reasons for Migration

2.3 Global Christianity

2.4 Diaspora Christianity Literature Review

2.5 Definitions

2.6 Christian Witness and Migration

3 Travel

3.1 The Basics

3.2 Leaving Home

3.3 Travel Stories

3.4 The Migration Industry

3.5 Conclusion

4 Evangelical Refugee Centers

4.1 Oasis

4.2 Helping Hands

4.3 Hellenic Ministries

4.4 AMG International

4.5 Father’s Heart

4.6 Bridges

4.7 Faros

4.8 Issues Faced

4.9 Conclusion

5 Conversion from Islam to Evangelical Christianity

5.1 Conversion from Islam to Christianity Literature

5.2 Defining Conversion

5.3 Reasons Given for Converting

5.4 Dreams and Visions

5.5 Fake Conversions and Reconversions

5.6 What Happens Next

5.7 Conclusion

6 “Churches”

6.1 Eritrean Church of Athens

6.2 Redeemed Lighthouse

6.3 Polis: Glyfada Church and Exarchia Church

6.4 Iranian Evangelical Church of Athens

6.5 Agape Church—Afghan

6.6 Persian Leader 4’s Church

6.7 Man Cave Church

6.8 Conclusion

7 Summary

7.1 Immigration as Mission

7.2 Hospitality, Evangelism, and Tensions

7.3 “Western” vs. “Biblical”

8 Chosen Sojourners

8.1 Hospitality to Strangers

8.2 Hospitality as Advocacy

8.3 Hospitality as Gospel Proclamation

8.4 Salvation for the Migrant

Appendix A: List of Known Migrant Churches in Athens, Greece

Appendix B: Interview Guide

Appendix C: Key Issues to Address While Attending Migrant Churches and Refugee Centers

Bibliography

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Darren M. Carlson, Ph.D (2018), London School of Theology, is President of Training Leaders International and teaches at various institutions in the majority world. He is also General Editor for the Journal of Global Christianity.