Often in the Western world you hear conversations about subjects to avoid which are politics, religion and finances. Some even expand in that these are touchy subjects to discuss on a first date, when you first get introduced to your in-laws, at work, on public transportation or any public gathering. Pastor Tee believes it is because one’s beliefs or convictions on these things are not always lined up with the next person or present company. She, on the other hand, believes first dates are best place to discuss these touchy subjects because it determines if either of you will entertain a second date . Pastor Tee feels like once you can discuss those things without storming out on day 1, then if anything you’ve gained a friend. Pastor Tee would like to present that there is a fourth subject that has to be added to the mix. Outside politics, religion and finances she is yet to come across a subject that draws emotions to extremes like immigration. There are those who make the rules but have never been on the receiving end of immigration, at least not directly. Then there are those who have experienced it as a guest in another country except their experience was significantly different from the majority of immigrants because they hold a passport that is ranked among the top 10 of the passport index. Those people cannot get what the hullabaloo is all about surrounding immigration. One thing that is striking is that when Westerners immigrated to Africa, they were not called immigrants; that was reserved for fellow Africans leaving their native lands and going into another African country or even outside Africa. Westerners were called something more endearing, expatriates or expats in short. Preachers and Evangelists from the West are skillfully called Missionaries while their counterparts from Africa are either immigrants or simply Visiting Pastor or some form of Clergy identifier. The Diaspora Pastor is intended to open up dialogue on these and many issues impacting immigrants and quite frankly their new neighbors. It is Pastor Tee’s hope that such dialogues be welcomed at the pulpit from a Biblical perspective in order to educate, inform and most importantly empower all congregants, immigrants and otherwise. Now more than ever, it is imperative that the Body of Christ no longer ignores these issues and ignorantly shout, I receive . An informed and empowered congregant is a wholesome individual who will be a responsible citizen, not just of the country of residence but of the world.
