Population migration (lat. migratio — relocating) — relocation of people from one region (government) to another, in certain instances occurring as large groups and moving great distances.
We are living during the times of migration where some families are moving from one state to another. For many Slavic Christian families in California, this has turned into a mass phenomenon. The majority of these people are moving either to central or south-eastern United States. Many of these migrants were influenced by the «mass exodus» effect. While the initial people were moving based on personal motivation and the search for a new place of living, the later migrants are just following the beaten track. There are also those who leave but then recruit others to move because they miss their old friends. Following the relocation of their children with their families, grandparents can be expected to move as well in order to be closer to their grandchildren.
America is a free country; there is no need to seek anyone's approval for relocation. With funds acquired by selling property and possessions, a person can move to any part of the country.
Migration is a personal decision. There are many reasons to leave California: liberal laws in the western states, appalling public school curricula and the loss of parental rights in deciding the coursework for their children in public schools, vaccinations, high taxes, and many more. Perhaps there are other reasons for moving. However, there are also many other reasons to stay in California: a wonderful climate, beautiful nature, developed industries, and for Christians – a huge mission field. Currently there is an ongoing immigration of Russian-speaking specialists, scientists, and tech employees from eastern Europe and other countries. Unfortunately, the state is losing would-be ministers, pastors, missionaries, and evangelists of Slavic churches in California both now and in the future. People who are leaving are those who ought to be the salt and light in this wonderful state where the light of Christ and His teaching must shine brightest despite the presence of darkness,.
In his epistles, Apostle Paul never called the church members of Ephesus or Corinth to move to Jerusalem to Antioch. Indeed those cities had very great churches and a positive environment. However, Paul exhorted Christians to be strong in God, to be victorious in spiritual battle, and to be an influence on the world. Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome were not any better in terms of immorality, and even exceeded us in the degradation. However, Apostle Paul believed in the power of the Gospel which is powerful to transform the life of an individual and society as a whole. That is what gave him an optimistic outlook on life and confidence in the present and the future. If the Apostle Paul had «given up», then the Gospel would not have reached many of the cities of the Roman empire.
The main line of defense of our children is in the family. It is the responsibility of parents to raise their children. The Bible contains many instances where parents influence their children, often starting from early childhood. These examples include Moses, Joseph, Samuel, Esther, and many others. The parents cannot depend on public schools to raise their children and instill fundamental Christian values. This type of influence must be done in the home. Even in some of the most conservative states, the public school curricula are still liberal, make no mistake about that.
Relocating and changing schools can be very difficult for high schoolers. Also, becoming a part of new church, or planting new churches can also be difficult for both parents and children. Many of us spent years investing into the church in order to be fully «plugged in» to the local church ministry. The mirage of a cheaper housing is also just that, a mirage. The housing markets in many of the cities to which people are migrating are increasing to level with California prices, while the minimum wage stays significantly lower than California. Additional, there is also the difficulty of finding a job. The weather and climate conditions are also not any better than those in California, and will take time to adjust to.
There is no ideal spot on earth, and some problems are just replaced by other problems. The United States is a country where it is possible to have alternative education: home schools, Christian schools, etc. The main question for parents is the same: how much are they ready to sacrifice part of their income, or «one more job» in order to dedicate their time to teach their children or send them to Christian schools. No situation is hopeless and a lot depends on the values. How are we instilling true faith to the next generation, how ready are we to sacrifice part of our income to send our kids to Christian schools? These are the questions that we need to ask ourselves. We can't lie to ourselves thinking that by moving to the Bible Belt states we will not become passive. We could lose our children even in the most «Christian» state. There are numerous instances where children lost their faith even while attending Christian universities.
May God bless those who moved, and may He grant the wisdom to those who are in the process of deciding. May they not base their decision on the influence on those who already left, but based on their guidance by God and His will for their families. When there was a confusion in the nation of Israel and the loss of spiritual direction in many of the Israelites' families, Joshua could say the following: «as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord». May this be our motto at all times regardless of where we live.
Ivan Mileyev
