The last hundred years has seen massive advances in technology, resulting in, among many things, cheaper and more accessible travel. It is easier for people to move between countries. And this is exactly what has been happening.

“He… loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens…” (Deuteronomy 10: 18, 19)
Aim Internationals original goal was to reach into ‘deepest darkest Africa’ and tell people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Its goal is the same but times have changed. For the early missionaries, reaching into those African countries was literally a matter of life and death. The last hundred years has seen massive advances in technology, resulting in, among many things, cheaper and more accessible travel. Naturally, this means it is easier for people to move between countries. And this is exactly what has been happening.

ACE steps in

In the past the ‘mission field’ was somewhere far away and exotic, but that is no longer the case. African people are not restricted to the African continent. Official figures show that over 500,000 African people have come to live in Britain and more in other parts of Europe.

But we need to remember, it is African people that Aim International wants to reach with the Gospel, regardless of where they live. This is where ‘African Connections in Europe’ comes in.

ACE was set up to address the growing European trend of having more ‘African neighbours next door’ than ever before and is an opportunity for churches to become more engaged in the mission field right on their doorstep.

The programme’s Director, Bill Rettie, sees this as a new challenge: “These changes require us to rethink our response to the Lord’s great commission to go and make disciples of all nations.” He asks: “The ‘mission field’ has come to us. Is the Lord giving us a new and strategic opportunity to make disciples of African people from many nations who have quite literally become our neighbours?”

Who are today’s cross cultural missionaries?

In Britain the presence of so many African people demands that we rethink our attitude to cross cultural mission. With such opportunities in our own communities the challenge of cross cultural ministry is no longer just for the few who are called to go but is for each of us as we meet and relate to the ‘alien in our midst’. Are we as willing to become involved personally and to support full time workers who serve in this country as we are to support those who go overseas?

…we need to remember, it is African people that Aim International wants to reach with the Gospel, regardless of where they live.

The new face of mission

The challenge is there for churches to change their evangelism methods in order to respond to modern circumstances. They also need to think of the wider implications. New African believers who came to faith through the ACE programme, Bill says, could be the Lord’s way of reaching into those unreached, and closed, countries: “Aim already knows of one Muslim couple who came to Europe and came to faith in Christ. They are now back in their country where there is increasing persecution but where they have many opportunities to share their faith.”

“One thing is becoming clear as we consider these new challenges,” says Bill. “The work must be carried on by our local churches and not just by isolated mission personnel.”