These are some of the “enablers” …

March 27, 2017 in News by RBN Staff

 

We Welcome Refugees

LOCAL CHURCHES ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE STEPPING FORWARD TO WELCOME REFUGEES AS THEY ARRIVE, AS OUR FAITH COMPELS US TO DO.

Imagine the sheer chaos and suffering if displacement of this magnitude were to afflict our country. Where would you go if barrel bombs began falling indiscriminately on your neighborhood, or if a terrorist group unhappy with your religion threatened your life? If you could safely reach another country, how would you hope to be received?

Scripture teaches that Jesus himself was forced to flee from a tyrannical government as a small child. How, I wonder, was the Holy Family received in Egypt – with compassion and hospitality, or with suspicion and contempt?

Later in his ministry, Jesus said that part of the greatest, all-encompassing commandment was to love our neighbors. A lawyer – presumably looking to limit his responsibilities – pressed for a precise legal definition: “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus went on to tell the story we know of as the Good Samaritan, a man who went out of his way, at significant personal cost, to care for a man of a different religious and ethnic background who was in need. “Go and do likewise,” Jesus commanded.

Churches throughout this great nation are eager to do so, and there are opportunities for churches and individuals to practically welcome refugees by helping to help furnish an apartment for a newly arrived refugee family, to help them find work and become economically self-sufficient – even to open up their own homes.

It is important to note that refugees are not leaving their countries, lives, and all things familiar because they choose to – they are literally fleeing for their lives.

While many U.S. state governments continue to push back on refugees coming to their states, we urge local communities to continue to welcome all refugees and be actively supportive and engaged with local refugee resettlement agencies around the country.  See our FAQ‘s for more details on how resettlement works and the role of state governments in this process.

You can play a role in welcoming refugees into your community.

UNITED STATES

World Relief has been empowering local churches to resettle refugees in the United States for more than 35 years. Many refugees have come to the U.S. as a direct result of the Syrian Crisis and many more are expected in the coming months, with as many as 85,000 refugees being admitted each year from various parts of the world. In locations throughout the United States, World Relief partners with local churches to help refugees integrate into new communities, welcoming them, providing help with housing, employment, and cultural adjustment. The greatest gifts we can offer are friendship, community, belonging, and acceptance, as we value their stories, dreams and contributions. Mobilize your small group or church to befriend a newly arriving refugee family for 6-12 months, providing tangible care such as: airport welcome, apartment set-up, provision of initial food and clothing, transportation to appointments, school registration, community orientation, English tutoring, and job preparation.

VOLUNTEER THROUGH A WORLD RELIEF OFFICE IN YOUR AREA

FIND ANOTHER AGENCY WITHIN THE U.S.

(Click on the map below to find which refugee resettlement agencies are located in your city)

CANADA

Since 1979, the Mennonite Central Committee have helped those who have no prospect of returning home to start a new life in Canada. Sponsorship is a one year commitment. The sponsor helps the refugee family with practical things like housing, finances, and grocery shopping, as well as offering friendship and emotional support. While the legal sponsorship lasts a year, the relationships that are formed are often transforming and everlasting. Throughout the stages of the sponsorship process, MCC provides the sponsors with training opportunities and support.

SPONSOR A REFUGEE FAMILY THROUGH MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE IN YOUR PROVINCE

EUROPE

Europe is in desperate need for volunteer teams to come and help serve amongst the refugees. There are places all over Europe where there are refugee sites that need volunteers to come and help serve, hand our food, clean and talk with the people. YWAM Europe have created a platform to provide information about where volunteers can go to help, and to coordinate the efforts of teams coming to Europe.

VOLUNTEER TO GO AND SERVE REFUGEES ENTERING EUROPE THROUGH YWAM EUROPE