Reclaiming British Gujarati culture for followers of Jesus

About 300 British Gujaratis follow Jesus and identify as Christians. Usha Reifsnider researched the impact of their change of faith. For most the overwhelming impact was on their families, both for those who ‘left’ and for their families who ‘lost’ them. Another major effect was the ‘muting’ of their culture as they tried to assimilate into British evangelical social space.

Usha presented her research at a small consultation convened in Oxford last November. The focus was on how to communicate in a Hindu context – or rather contexts, as they are so varied, with different generations (including the latest arrivals of ‘new’ first generations) and different ‘levels of Indianness’. Questions flowed: what are the key Hindu concepts that we need to understand? Can you be Indian and follow Jesus? Does the church have a place and how does it need to change? Why are relationships so important? Is there an unavoidable cost?

For more about the consultation, contact South Asian Concern.

SAC’s publications have engaged with these questions over many years, from Sari ’n’ Chips to Notes for the Journey and more.