Compassion as a Paradigm for Mission: Perspectives on Holistic Mission among African Christians in a European Context.

This paper discusses the virtue of compassion as a paradigm for mission, the concept of compassion in both the African and the biblical context and implications for the lack of compassion. It further considers hindrances to the exercise of compassion among African migrant churches in a European context. The paper concludes that in a distressed world such as ours, the call to show compassion and be each other’s keeper as a means of fulfilling the demands of God’s mission is nonnegotiable for the church. God’s mission is holistic, universal, and driven by compassion. It concerns itself with the task of rescuing and restoring creation of which the human being is an integral part. The call to show compassion and be each other’s keeper in a troubled world is a compelling one for God’s people. This call also deeply resonates with both African ethics and African religious orientation. A religious response to the socio-economic challenges of the needy in the context of holistic mission is a core duty of the worldwide church. African migrant churches are the natural home and largest recipients of African migrants be they refugees, asylum seekers or regular migrants in Europe. They face socio-economic challenges such as low education, accommodation, unemployment, language skill, emotional bottlenecks, and legal documentation. As a compassionate community and God’s people, the response of the church to the needs of the people on the margins is significant. Through compassion, the people on the margins are provided with the gospel and a safety net to ease their socio-economic burdens. Such a move does not only help to mitigate the suffering of the poor but it also goes a long way to clarify the gospel proclaimed by Christians.