re-conceptualization of urbanization

Urbanization. The term itself stirs paradoxical emotions. Rich and poor, young and old, developed and underdeveloped, modern and ancient, good and evil, purity and sinfulness, certainty and mystery all reflect the complex relationships of urban environments. My perception of urbanization, the trend towards urban environments in which mass numbers of migrants flow from the rural areas to relocate in larger areas, has admittedly been attached to destruction. Although with limited quantifiable research, I have defined this modern and recent phenomena as degrading: both to the environment and more importantly, to the human population. The poor and unemployed rural inhabitants either voluntarily or involuntarily seek hope for an improved quality of life in the urban world. Falsely assured of employment, housing, sanitation, education, and health care, these rural migrants envision a future radically different than their traditional past. Instead of being embraced by the urban and modern realm, the migrants become increasingly marginalized, discriminated against, wrought with disease, and savagely treated. Consequently, unity among the urban poor forms from their shared mistreatment and the urban poor establish what is known as squatter areas. Marginal in size and limited in resources, the shelters the urban poor seek fail to adequately accommodate a person, let alone an entire family. All human senses are enveloped with appalling disgust: constant smell of rotting feces amidst the odors of unwashed human bodies, sight of malnourished fragile bodies daily digging in mounds of waste from the rich for something to fill their frequently empty stomachs, sounds of stories recounting the realization of a traditional fruitful past swiftly erased, taste of poisoned water from the outstanding amounts of pollution emitting from the urban environment, and the feel of rough crooked material erected to blindly direct nature's renewal away from their meek resources. Describing such environments in this manner evidently arouses distaste, disapproval, and a general dissatisfaction. In addition to the reproachful conditions of the urban poor, I am disheartened by the trend toward urbanization due to the effects on the environment. Acutely aware of environmental needs and responsibilities, I am frequently saddened by the actions of humans on God’s creation.

Having recently read a few articles passionately arguing for increased urban ministry that conclude that perhaps the international augmentation of urbanization is a means for God to guide unreached people groups towards areas where evangelization can effectively occur, I am challenged to redefine my understanding of urbanization. The romantic and adventurous ideal of penetrating the luscious jungle forests or ascending steep rocky mountains to the isolated communities has historically attracted thousands of missionaries. Less appealing is the urban environments harshly described above. Yet theologians, missionaries, and followers of Christ agree that the urban environments boast of unreached people groups seeking both hope and faith. Thus, the personal challenge presented by the articles relate to my own conceptualization of urbanization. While I likely will never regard urbanization as an entirely positive process, whether correct or incorrect, I do however maintain a more optimistic outlook of urbanization.

On a more appreciative note, last year I was privileged to hear about a friend’s short experience in urban ministry in Vancouver, BC. I was especially encouraged by his accounts of what God is doing there. Following the converstaion, I have thought regularly about Vancouver, even envisioning living and serving God there, as some of you know. For the current time, however, I anticipate serving God in Uganda.