In recent years, Indians have represented the largest global diaspora in the world. In 2019, there were 17.5 million Indian migrants living outside of India. This dwarfs the next largest global diasporas, including Mexico, China, or Russia as well as other large global migrations. The global Indian diaspora is, by itself, larger than several nations.
London or Dubai are well-known for hosting large Indian communities, and in North America Indian migrants may feel at home in sections of San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, or Metro New York. Another city that has increasingly become home for a growing number of Indian expats is the Tampa Bay area.
Shopping at Patel Brothers on Fowler Ave., catching a Bollywood film at the AMC in Northwest Tampa, or grabbing lunch at one of many Indian restaurants scattered across the city, it becomes obvious that Tampa Bay is home to a significant Indian community. The most conservative figures suggest Tampa Bay hosts 30,000 Indians, and in addition University of South Florida regularly attracts students from India to their undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
If you are called to share good news with unreached peoples from India, Tampa Bay may very well be the mission field that is calling. During the past few years, we’ve heard stories of visas being denied or committed missionaries departing prematurely from serving in India. However, Indian expats often stay connected to home while adapting to life in their host country, and Tampa Bay is no exception.
If you have a heart for unreached peoples from India, we want to talk to you about Tampa Bay. There is a need for contextualized & intentional ministry. If you desire to share good news among Indian peoples in Tampa, contact Global City Mission today.
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