Among the foreign-born population of Philadelphia, 39% originated in Asia. Immigrants coming from Asia represent the majority of international newcomers to Philly. In South Philly, there is a small community of Indonesians that have made their imprint on the city. Population estimates vary, but the Indonesian population of Philadelphia accounts for up to 10,000 people.
While some Indonesians are scattered around Center City’s Chinatown, South Philly hosts several businesses, eateries, mosques, and ethnic churches. Dropping into a small grocer or cafe can be a nice introduction to Philly’s Indonesian community, and city hosts an Indonesian cultural festival, providing an opportunity to discovery the island nation’s traditions and cultures within Philadelphia.
Although many Indonesian immigrants to Philadelphia are Christians, Indonesia represents one of the largest Muslim-majority countries in the world, making a combination of mobilization and evangelism an opportunity to facilitate bridges of the gospel. And like so migrant communities, the younger generation is likely to reflect secularized youth culture. Helping young adults discover (or rediscover) the gospel as they live between cultures continues to be an important mission in global city contexts.
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