The Contemporary <i>Missio Dei</i> Paradigm and its Expression in the Global South

Abstract

For a long time, the Global South has been unprepared for the ecclesiastical responsibility of mission work that has been naturally part of  Christianity in the Global North. This could be so because, traditionally, Christianity has been introduced in the Global South through  mission work. This article examines the contemporary Missio Dei paradigm and its expression in the Global South. It begins by explaining  the development of the concept of Missio Dei and proceeds to elaborate its expression and reception in the Global South. It is  generally considered that to understand the paradigm of Missio Dei in the Global South, it has to be viewed through ecclesiological  structures native to the Global South. Concurrently, I seek to answer this question: what is the theological implication of Covid-19 for the  African Church, and which strategies are being employed to mitigate the condition within the Global South? This paper undertakes a  qualitative methodology in which a systematic literature review is conducted from the available scholarly sources that leads to both  theological and missiological inferences. Additionally, an extensive analysis of the concept of Missio Dei will be conducted as it relates to the Global South, demonstrating that the Missio Dei paradigm has shifted very significantly in the Global South, transforming the region  from traditionally receivers of mission work to active participants in mission work. The Global South is now ready for both home and  diaspora mission work. Findings and recommendations from this paper will be beneficial for current and future scholars in both  theological and missiological fields.