FROM MIGRATION TO MISSION: HOW DIASPORA LEADERS ARE SHAPING COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATION
In the Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God, Mark Batterson writes: “the reason many of us get stuck in the six cages—the cage of responsibility, the cage of routine, the cage of assumptions, the cage of guilt, the cage of failure, and the cage of fear—is for one simple reason: We want God to do something new while we keep doing the same old thing.”
Until we take the Lordship of Christ to heart, the distractions of life will obscure the riches of His Kingdom. The question for each of us remains: how might I make my life count amidst division and turmoil? Where is the Holy Spirit working, and how can I sacrifice my life to contribute? The invitation is not to passivity but to boldness, sacrifice, intentionality, and innovation—a life of athlete-like focus fixed on God's Kingdom, not our own.
Flyways: The Power of Migration Paths of Spiritual Families
As we have been connecting with our alumni and associates around the world, one clear directive emerged: “Follow the tentmaker as they follow the Spirit.” God moves through individuals and teams who willingly lay down their lives to obey His prompting.
Throughout history, diasporas have formed resilient, trusted networks that cross borders, creating accessible and deeply relational channels. These movements mirror a deeper spiritual reality - that God's family transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, forming networks of faith that span continents. In this movement, there is a profound calling to return—not merely to places of heritage but to the original vision and covenantal relationships that have shaped our journeys. In returning to our first love—Christ and His call—we find purpose and renewal, rediscovering the mission that first ignited our hearts.
These movements are like migration paths carved by birds—uncharted yet profoundly guided by innate rhythms. Just as diaspora communities maintain connections across borders, spiritual families create networks of faith that transcend cultural boundaries. This reminds us that no one is truly "on the field" or "off the field." Instead, we are all called to use everything we have for the glory of Christ. This is the legacy we see in our alumni and associates, each bearing the unique vision God has placed in their lives to equip the next generation of leaders in frontier nations.
Stories of Spirit-Led Movement
The following stories illustrate how members of our spiritual family and network have followed God's lead and acted, creating platforms for Kingdom impact through business, education, and community development.
Larry & Social Impact Incubator: Bridging Migration through Leadership Development
Larry’s journey is a testimony to the power of obedience and vision. As a Vietnamese diaspora, Larry carries a deep love for his homeland and a passion to see it flourish. After years of serving across Asia, he and his family returned to Vietnam, answering God’s call to equip and disciple local leaders. With Chinese and US suppliers moving to Northern Vietnam, there is a huge opportunity to close the skill gap for local Vietnamese workers as well as bridge culture and language training among the new Chinese immigrants.
Through this incubator, Larry with locals and other diaspora returnees are building a platform that provides office space, mentoring, and training to aspiring entrepreneurs. At the same time, the space is also used to hold bilingual bible studies, and together the team witnessed one attendee asked to be baptized. Another local high schooler accepted Christ, who is now studying hospitality and Chinese in Taiwan.
This vision was born years earlier on a short-term trip to Central Asia, where Larry witnessed the impact of investing in local leadership. Today, the incubator empowers the next generation to create sustainable solutions, serving as a beacon of hope and transformation for the community.
Mark & Andrea: Investing in Families through Education
Mark and Andrea exemplify what it means to live with a missional heart. With a passion for equipping young leaders and families, they have channeled their vision into their venture providing personalized speech therapy that empowers parents to actively participate in their children’s development. Technology can serve as a tool for redemption, opening doors to community transformation while equipping the next generation to thrive in both purpose and faith.
Raising funds and leading teams have required much faith while facing moments of insurmountable challenge. They have taken opportunities to share with fellow entrepreneurs through the struggles of their own journeys. While their vision has remained steady, there have been true difficulties and even a sense of loneliness as entrepreneurs. M&A demonstrate how to follow the Spirit in faith, experiencing HIs tangible presence in decision-making, even through the fire of the unknown and uncertainties.
Christina: Enterprise & Gospel-led Multiplication in Sustainable Design
Christina’s journey demonstrates the multiplier effect through the creative integration of business and mission. She partners with low-income herders, bringing eco-friendly products to international markets while empowering individuals with fair wages and dignity. Christina’s work is a blend of artistry and sustainability, transforming rural communities through enterprise-led development. This venture equips a new generation of artisans and designers with tools to thrive, serving as a model for how social enterprises can restore economic stability while embodying Christ’s redemptive love.
Christina brought her operations manager to faith and held bible studies within the company. Her operations manager and his wife are now local leaders in the nation, owners of their own business, and are seriously considering cross-cultural missions as intentional professionals like Christina did when she went to China. We can see the compound, exponential impact a founder has on the entire entrepreneurial economy of a region when they mentor, invest in, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, leveraging their know-how to grow entrepreneurs coming up behind them to succeed holistically across spiritual, family, and economic spheres.
Beth & Peter: Café Hub as Community Platform
In the heart of Asia, Beth & Peter have planted a seed of transformation through their café. Far more than a coffee shop, this café is a space for connection, creativity, and discipleship. Beth and Peter are passionate about helping local families grow in connection and peace in view of spousal and parent-child conflicts that plague many families, Christians included. Their vision and mission are to promote family values and connect parents and kids in their community through the activities and special events that they host at their café. They planned events like the father-daughter dinner to promote family relationships. They sponsored a band of former inmates who played music and shared their personal stories with the audience. The café also hires individuals with autism to do simple tasks. The spiritual battle has been incredibly challenging with wearying realities of rent hikes, balancing marriage, parenting and ministry, loving even when it hurts. Amidst it all, Beth & Peter demonstrate how a Kingdom vision can reshape lives and create sustainable opportunities that ripple far within their city.
Celebrating Migration and the Next Generation
The word “flyway” evokes the migration patterns of birds—intuitive journeys that transcend borders. For years, we have watched our alumni and associates embody this metaphor, scattering across the globe yet remaining deeply connected through a shared Kingdom mission. They remind us that no one is passive in this movement; everyone is called to contribute, using their gifts, passions, and opportunities for the glory of Christ.
These associates and alumni are shaping the future through enterprise-led development and income generation in frontier nations. Through their work, we envision:
Greater numbers of men and women finding dignity through meaningful work.
Strengthened family cohesion, enabling children to thrive through better care, education, and nurture.
Hope restored to young people as they gain access to employment and opportunities.
Profitable businesses that invest in their communities and offer robust returns to investors.
Long-term economic, social, and spiritual sustainability.
Gospel influence across multiple spheres of society.
Through the creation of employment and income, families and communities flourish—not just financially but socially and spiritually. This is the heartbeat of our alumni’s work, and it reflects the Gospel’s transformative power in tangible ways.
L4 Vision: Apostolic Marketplace Leaders
At the Lausanne 4th Congress, a vision emerged to reimagine what it means to declare and display Christ together in today’s world. This moment calls for Spirit-led networks that bridge generations and cultures, uniting diverse strengths for a shared mission. Diaspora communities, particularly the Asian diaspora, working alongside spiritual family networks have a critical role in this movement. Like ligaments binding the global Body of Christ, these communities bring cultural insights and relational wisdom that forge deep connections, paving the way for transformative work in unreached regions.
This vision also requires the rise of marketplace leaders who carry an apostolic mandate into strategic spheres. Like Daniel in Babylon, these leaders engage political, economic, and cultural powers with Spirit-filled integrity. They stand as catalysts for Kingdom transformation, demonstrating how faith and professional influence can converge to renew systems and shape nations.
An Invitation to Return and Invest
As we enter 2025, we sense a clear call to return:
Return to our first love—Christ and His call.
Return to the original vision that inspired us.
Return to covenantal relationships that have blessed and shaped our journey.
Reflecting on the incredible connections and relationships God has given us, we are challenged to ask: how might we steward these gifts to advance His Kingdom? This is not merely an invitation to look back but to move forward boldly, joining a greater mission to declare and display Christ in every corner of the world.
We invite you to join us as we pray and invest in diaspora communities, marketplace leaders, and next-generation initiatives that demonstrate the Gospel in word and deed. Together, we can build a future where families, communities, and nations thrive under the lordship of Christ. Our new Flyway Fund supports these strategic initiatives led by GLS associates and alumni.
Let us rise to this challenge with boldness, sacrifice, and intentionality, ensuring that our lives—like those of migrating birds—leave a lasting imprint for the glory of God.