Serving Diaspora Communities
A Global Priority with Local Impact
At the United Bible Societies’ (UBS) World Assembly back in 2023, hosted in Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands, Bible Societies from around the world agreed to ‘The Egmond Affirmation’, a collective commitment to seven important global issues: Bible Translation, Bible Distribution, Bible Engagement, Serving Diaspora Communities, Creation Care, Digital Transformation, and Mission Resilience. Whilst we’re very familiar with some of these areas in Northern Ireland, the others are equally important.
One such area is Serving Diaspora Communities. Around the world, millions of people live outside their country of origin - be it through migration, displacement, or the search for new opportunities or a better life. For those people, the Bible can be both a lifeline and a bridge: a source of comfort in unfamiliar surroundings, and a way to connect across culture and languages.
But what does this mean for us who call Northern Ireland home?
More than a Global Story
The word ‘diaspora’ might sound distant, perhaps you know what it means, or maybe this is the first time you have heard it, but it is much closer to home than you might initially think. Northern Ireland has its own history of diaspora with generations of families having emigrated to Canada, Australia, America, and beyond, carrying their faith and traditions with them.
Today, that story is reversed. Our towns and cities are home to people from across the globe - Iran, India, Nigeria, Ukraine, and many other places. If you take a walk through any large town or city in our wee country, you’ll see a diverse range of shops, hear a chorus of different languages, and meet neighbours whose journeys have brought them here.
A Place to Call Home
Northern Irish people know what it means to long for belonging. Our history is marked by questions of identity, community, and reconciliation. Serving diaspora communities isn’t just about helping others - it’s about recognising ourselves in their story. Just as many of our ancestors sought welcome in foreign lands before, today we are called to extend that same welcome here.
The Bible is a Shared Language
UBS’ vision is simple, yet profound: to ensure that diaspora communities have access to Scripture in their hear languages. Arriving in a new country with a different culture and traditions than you are used to can be terrifying, but to find something as simple as a Bible in your own language can bring comfort and peace. It serves as a reminder that God’s story includes you.
At Bible Society Northern Ireland, we have a small stock of non-English Scriptures available for purchase, some of them are full Bibles, others are small portions of Scripture. We can also do custom order, stock dependant, if there is a particular language you are looking for. We would love to be able to partner with churches and groups to play our part in making the Bible accessible to everyone in Northern Ireland to help them feel seen, valued, and spiritually nourished.
Expansive, Inclusive, & Alive
Spring is a season of renewal. As we celebrate Easter, and the hope of Christ’s resurrection, we are reminded that God’s kingdom is expansive, inclusive, and alive in every country and culture. Serving diaspora communities is about making space at the table, ensuring that the Word of God is accessible, and living out the radical welcome of Christ.
So maybe the question for us in Northern Ireland to consider today is ‘how can we make our churches places where diaspora communities feel truly at home?’ Sometimes it may be as simple as offering a Bible in someone’s language, sharing a meal, or listening to their story.
UBS’ vision is “The Bible for everyone” and as we seek to share the Bible here in Northern Ireland, we pray that we will continue to be inspired to serve, to welcome, and to see the image of God in those who have journeyed from near and far to make our wee country their home.
Read more about our work with diaspora communities here.