“One of our young people, a fourteen-year-old boy, was in the hospital for a long time after being severely beaten. He suffered internal bleeding, organ failure, and other complications — simply because his peers, other teenage boys, decided he shouldn’t be a Christian because he has a Muslim name.”

Iranian boy (photo courtesy of
Atiyeh Fathi via Unsplash)

This is just one of many heartbreaking stories Lana Silk from Transform Iran has encountered in her ministry to Iranian refugees. This particular incident happened in a Muslim-majority host country, but the harsh experiences of refugee children are often universal.

That’s where Transform Iran steps in, with a ministry specifically focused on children. Silk explains, “We work very hard to minister to them and surround them with love and community to help strengthen them.”

The need is urgent. “I was speaking to someone [who told me about their] nine-year-old child. The teacher was spitting on his face, insulting him,” she adds.

Out of this growing crisis, a ministry was born.

“This is one of the reasons we’ve been so active in the children’s ministry lately — because we’ve noticed that children need a strong, loving, non-judgmental, non-oppressive community around them that will hold them tight and love them,” Silk says.

Transform Iran hosts weekly gatherings for refugee children, filled with activities, games, and therapeutic exercises designed by psychologists to support their mental health. “And of course, it’s always the Gospel,” Silk says, “with worship and prayer to help these children cope with the pressures that are on them.”

Another heavy burden these children carry is the fear of sudden deportation. “We have children in our group who have said that they’ll be sitting in class, and suddenly the police will turn up and take children out of class and send them to deportation camps,” Silk shares. There’s a constant fear among the children that, at any moment, authorities might come and take them away. These overlapping layers of anxiety and trauma severely impact their mental health and well-being.

The first thing you can do to help Iranian refugees is this: do not forget them. This is one of the reasons Transform Iran provides a monthly newsletter with updates that you can subscribe to. Knowing that the global community of believers cares gives strength to both parents and children in asylum as they endure immense suffering.

Pray for the safety of Iranian believers and their children, and for the resolution of their cases. Pray that the trauma these children face won’t drive them away from God — but draw them closer to Him. 

Header photo: Iranian boy in a green jacket (photo courtesy of Hiva Sharifi via Unsplash)

Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) explains, “Years ago, Russia established itself really as a country of authority in the Middle East. While the US continues to stand with Israel, Russia was very close in its work with Syria, in fact, supporting the Assad regime that has been a brutal regime for a little more than 50 years.

Flag of Syria (Photo by Linus Schütz from Pixabay)

“Russia established bases there and has been kind of the protectorate for Syria. The relationship between Syria and Russia allowed them to control a portion of the petroleum market.”

In the fall of Syria, Russia failed to hinder rebel advancement like in years past. Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted asylum to Assad and his family.

Now, Moscow is negotiating with Syria’s new government leadership to keep at least two key Russian bases in Syria.

Mock points out the war in Ukraine has weakened Russia’s military strength on multiple fronts.

“For Russia to continue to maintain its aggressive offensive in Ukraine, it really had no capacity to defend Syria when the rebels began to take over. So as much as we’re watching the lightning-fast fall of Syria in the news, what you saw behind the scenes was an utter incapacity of Russia to do anything about it.”

It is a poignant reminder that, ultimately, it is the Lord who raises up and brings down kings and political leaders. Pray God’s will be done in the nations.

“In the middle of trying to decipher world events, I would challenge your listeners to be sure not to lose sight of the calling to advance the Gospel to all people,” Mock encourages.

“It’s very easy for us to be focused on things that are passing away, rather than focused on what God would have us do. So in the middle of all the chaos we see, fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith!”

Learn more about SGA’s ministry in Russia and Ukraine.

Header photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visits Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015. (By Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44378506)

Syria is a major lynchpin in international dynamics across the Middle East and Eurasia. With this dramatic power shift, everything you thought you knew about the Middle East is about to change.

Samuel with Redemptive Stories says, “What has happened is a shocking course of events that’s…been worked towards by the rebels since 2011/2012; maybe even before then, really. It’s been tried many times over the history of the Assad regime.”

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (left) and former Iranian President Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi (right), May 8, 2022. (Wikimedia Commons)

The sudden overturn in the Syrian war was made possible by the weakening of Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah, all of which were propping up Assad’s government.

Samuel says, “[The rebels] attacked shortly after the ceasefire in Lebanon, and there was no stopping them really. Once they got moving, the Assad army — due to lack of funding [and] lack of resources — just really ended up in many cases throwing down their arms and fleeing because they knew this was a fight that was not worth fighting any longer.

“Currently, the situation in Syria is that the majority of the Assad-controlled cities — so places like Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia, Damascus, and Tartus — are now all under control of the rebels.”

Assad and his family are now exiled in Moscow where they have been granted asylum by the Russian government.

Samuel explains, “The transition of government so far has been fairly subdued and smooth. There has been a lot of looting currently in places like Damascus and others where just the sheer volume of people and the lack of police presence — now that the regime has fallen — has allowed for in the midst of this chaos. But places like Aleppo and others have remained fairly stable even after the rebels have taken over.”

Meanwhile, Israeli forces are advancing into southern Syria. Israel stated it has destroyed suspected chemical weapons depots in Syria to prevent them from being used by the rebels.

(Ahill34, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Amidst the radical changes, Syrian Christians and minorities are asking, ‘Does this trade one type of oppression for another?’

“There is still significant fear as to what this might mean for them,” says Samuel. “The rebels have direct ties and connections historically to Al Qaeda. You might call them ISIS adjacent. So that reality is very concerning for the future of Syria.”

Redemptive Stories invites you to join them in meaningful prayer as God is doing something significant in the Middle East.

“Those that care about this region are taking a day of fasting and praying on December 11…on behalf of Syria. We’re also praying for protection for displaced families and vulnerable communities, that God’s peace and stability might reign in Syria.”

Pray also for Syrians seeking hope to ultimately find Jesus.

Header photo of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. (Photo courtesy of Dan/Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/4r8vQp)

What changed?

Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, was elected in June. Petro’s predecessor, along with several other countries, called Venezuela’s 2018 election fraudulent which led to Nicolás Maduro’s return to power. However, newly-elected President Petro recognizes Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela.

With borders re-opening, this will likely mean easier access for people and goods between the two countries.

Colombia has many problems of its own, mostly in the form of violent guerrilla and paramilitary groups, human trafficking, and drug cartels.

(Photo courtesy of TWR)

Annabel Torrealba with Trans World Radio (TWR) says, “In Colombia, historically, we have seen that they went through like a civil war. They had the narco traffic taking over the government. Those situations are getting better, but there are a lot of people that are still suffering from those situations.”

Yet, with Venezuela’s economic collapse, many are fleeing to Colombia in search of a better life. Colombia currently has around 3 million Venezuelans seeking asylum.

TWR has a major hub of Gospel-centered Spanish program production in Venezuela. But ministry is becoming more difficult.

To support the Venezuela team and program production, TWR is building an additional studio in Colombia.

“One of the main interests of ours to have the office there is to work with those that are still healing from that process in Colombia, and for those that are [fleeing to] Colombia because they’re facing other types of problems in Venezuela,” Torrealba says.

“Our team needs a studio to produce those programs…that address these specific things that are facing the people [arriving] there and all of those that are still healing emotionally from the war.”

(Image courtesy of TWR)

The Church in Colombia has experienced tremendous persecution from criminal and paramilitary groups. Colombian believers and Venezuelan asylum-seekers need feeding and encouragement.

TWR has already raised $20,000 in Colombia for the new studio. If you are willing to donate, your gift will help TWR establish a studio and a stronger ministry in Colombia.

Click here to give!

Torrealba leads the team and she says, “I will tell you that these people are willing to go to those areas where we cannot…. Our team already has people in those areas working. We just need to help them to do it better.

“We need to encourage them in this way too, helping them build this studio and reach more people in Colombia in the jungle, in those places where people are afraid to go out. They were persecuted for many years and they don’t trust. But we can build that trust and tell them there is a God that loves them and gave His Son to save us.”

Learn more about TWR here!

Header photo of Colombian flag, courtesy of Flavia Carpio via Unsplash.

China Aid partners with Voice of the Martyrs Canada to help persecuted believers in China. Fu says the oppression extends across national borders.

In 2019, 60 believers fled to South Korea when threatened with prison time for operating a church school. Human rights advocates called this group of believers the “Mayflower Church” for its similarity to the pilgrims who fled England in 1620 due to persecution.

Today, despite multiple appeals, South Korea is still refusing believers’ requests for protection.

“Unfortunately, the South Korean government is being intimidated and threatened by the Chinese Communist Party, so they are not granting this church or any member asylum,” Fu says.

“Some of them [received] the rejection for asylum twice or three times. This could go to the South Korean Supreme Court.”

(Graphic courtesy of VOM Canada)

No safe place for Christians

Almost every province in China saw increased persecution in the last year, International Christian Concern reports. Whereas persecution formerly occurred in “pockets” throughout the country, China’s officials have been stepping up pressure since 2018. Details in the full interview here.

Even churches registered with the Communist Party aren’t safe anymore.

“Thousands of their church members have been arrested, and some suffered severe torture, like in the Early Rain Covenant Church,” Fu says.

“This is a devastating impact because they were supposed to be legally protected, government-approved churches.”

Pray believers will have courage and trust in the Lord. Pray persecuted Christians seeking asylum will be granted a safe place to raise their children in the ways of Christ, all the while experiencing His divine provision, protection, and peace.

“I do believe this new wave of persecution, without exception, will further enhance church growth in China,” Fu says.

In the header image, Dr. Foley of VOM Korea teaches the “Mayflower Church” how to biblically respond to persecution. (Photo courtesy of Do the Word, caption courtesy of VOM Canada)

Nehemiah of FMI says severe persecution against Christians is to blame. “They are leaving Pakistan for good in search of refuge and safety and security for their families. Because we can see in past years that persecution and hardship against Christians have been skyrocketing. So Christians are just moving.”

Some Pakistani Christians try to reach nearby countries to seek asylum, like Thailand or Malaysia. Nehemiah says, “But when they try to leave Pakistan, Pakistani authorities hold them at the airport, and don’t let them leave.”

Growing in faith

This quote was taken from the writings of early Church father Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Doesn’t this mean persecution will make the church grow? Why is that not happening in Pakistan?

Nehemiah offers a different interpretation. “I think it means that people’s faith and their strength grows. I understand it’s about numbers, but I believe more in faith. Because I have seen Christians in Pakistan, they are growing in faith a lot, especially during last 10 year. People are getting more and more strong in faith day by day.”

Welcome to the life of Christian Syrian refugees.

Widespread Prejudice

Greg Musselman of Voice of the Martyrs Canada says a disproportionate number of Christians have been denied asylum from various countries. When believers travel to “Jordan, Lebanon and some of the other places in the Middle East, they are just finding it difficult to not only get into the refugee camps but then try to get asylum to go to another country like Canada.”

Why? Among other reasons, many of the countries where refugees initially apply for asylum are Muslim-majority nations. This leads to prejudice in the application process.

In fact, Musselman says only 1% of refugees allowed to immigrate to countries such as Canada or the United States are Christians. That’s a problem when “we know that the Christian population is way more than 1%,” Musselman says. “Sometimes it’s up into 30-40%, or at least 10% in countries like Syria.”

Christians who do make it to refugee camps face their own problems. In many camps, they will encounter “those that are more Islamist in their ideology and thinking, and they persecute Christians and make life very difficult for them.”

These are families and individuals who have gone through all of the proper channels only to be turned away because of who they call Lord and Savior. It’s a problem that has persisted for years, and it does not seem to be going away.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Although targets of this discrimination have been labeled Christians, they are not necessarily members of the body of Christ. They may simply be from a different background than the majority Islamic culture. In extreme cases, they may be on the wrong side of the Sunni/Shia divide.

That being said, “the more targeted discrimination and persecution is the followers of Jesus and anyone that’s affiliated in a sense with Christianity,” Musselman clarifies.

The Good News

In the face of persecution, Christians are finding reasons to celebrate. For example, many people who were Christians in name only have come into deeper relationships with Christ.

Churches have also stepped up to meet refugees looking for safety and security. “The churches open their doors to these refugees, and they have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and a deeper relationship with Jesus,” Musselman says. “The number of those even coming to the Lord in these dire situations is encouraging.”

That doesn’t mean their problems vanish entirely

“They have lost everything, and in some cases, not only material,” Musselman says. “They’ve also lost family members and friends as well.”

Calling for Action

Want to help? Musselman says one of the most helpful things you can do is spread the word. When it comes to politicians, “they need to have pressure put on them just saying ‘Look, this is discrimination that’s going on. You need to be checking on what’s happening and look at the pure numbers and the percentage.’”

Start by contacting your local representatives and asking what they can do to help.

But before you do anything, pray. Refugees in and out of camps find themselves in danger every day, and with many countries denying them asylum, hope threatens to slip away.

“People that are from these places are in vulnerable positions; they’ve lost everything,” Musselman says. “We need to be concerned about the household of faith, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and certainly all strangers and aliens from other countries.”

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Whatever you do, do not forget the refugees.

“These people are still suffering in these refugee camps or even in worse conditions or in hiding because of what we’ve been talking about,” Musselman says. “When we look at what’s happening around the world with the rise of militant Islam, it’s just getting stronger. The discrimination in the attacks against the church Christians is intensifying.”

But no threat can outpower God. Musselman says their contacts report nominal Christians entering deeper relationships with Christ, Muslims are joining the Church, and believers around the world can feel the impact of intercessory prayer.

“We pray that our brothers and sisters would be strong as they share the love of Jesus and the light of the Gospel, and then also that our governments would wake up to the reality of what’s going on.”

Learn more here.

Header photo courtesy of Pixabay

Immigration was an issue of top concern heading into these elections, InfoMigrants.net describes. Some parties and individuals promised “drastic change” to how EU countries receive refugees and migrants. Between 2015 and early 2016, approximately 1.2 million refugees had arrived on European shorelines; today, an estimated 570,000 remain.

While decision-makers debate the fate of migrants, God is on the move. Prayercast’s Chris Ruge says today’s “Love Muslims” video highlights spiritual changes underway among displaced Muslims in Europe.

“God is moving in powerful ways. There are churches in Europe – historical churches – that were dying and empty,… filled now on a weekly basis with former Muslims who are coming to Christ.”

How citizens and churches see displaced Muslims

(Stock photo courtesy of mentatdgt via Pexels)

Last year, a study by the Pew Research Center revealed widespread public favor for taking in refugees and majority disapproval of how EU leaders were handling the crisis. Regardless of public opinion, “fears about migration continue to divide EU member states more than almost any other issue,” the European Council on Foreign Relations observes.

Believers’ mixed responses to the displacement crisis seem to reflect those of wider society. “The responses across Europe truly run the gamut,” Ruge says. Some churches and ministries react positively by “loving and serving and reaching out to this Muslim community.”

At the same time, “We see churches who are very resistant, who are very suspicious, and [struggle] with some of the changes in their community that they see as a result of this.

“The response to this humanitarian crisis and influx of Muslims across Europe has been very diverse.”

Prayercast’s “Love Muslims” campaign seeks to unify the Body of Christ in Europe and beyond. Awareness is the first step.

How to recognize Gospel opportunities

In this chart, Axios.com reveals a staggering trend of forced displacement between 1951 and 2017. Gospel opportunities are the “silver lining” of crises like these. Instead of traveling to a distant mission field, God is bringing the mission field to us.

(Photo courtesy of Love Muslims/Prayercast)

“The people who have been most ‘unreachable’ with the Gospel, and – in some cases – the most challenging to go and serve where they live,… God is bringing them now to the places where we live,” Ruge observes. It’s a “historically unprecedented” opportunity, he adds.

Ask God to make you aware of specific opportunities around you. Join Prayercast’s “Love Muslims” campaign to pray for the Muslim world.

“[Pray] that displaced Muslims across Europe would have soft hearts to hear this great, amazing news of the Gospel that they’ve not had the opportunity to hear before,” Ruge requests.

Pray also for the Church throughout Europe.

“[Pray] that they would have His heart for the lost He’s brought around them, that He would provide for all of their needs, and that He would use them in powerful ways to shine His light into people’s lives who need to hear it (the Good News).”

Header image courtesy of Maria Teneva via Unsplash.

The Bible and Immigration

Montgomery wants to remind college and university students of what the Bible says about the movement of people because, “Obviously that’s a big issue in Europe at the moment, as well as worldwide. So I’ve essentially been looking at what the biblical material has to say about how we are to treat those who are refugees, migrants, immigrants who are different than us.”

But what he has to say is good for everyone to hear, not just college students.

“There are lots of arguments put forward as to why we should not have so many immigrants in our country and why we have to look after ourselves, etc. So I want to go a step back and say, well what does the Bible actually say? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus above all else?”

Montgomery’s main reason for covering this topic is to inspire students who are involved in working with people from other countries. He wants to remind them of the spiritual reason they are doing what they are doing– to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Right now, in North America and in Europe, there is a strong nationalist sentiment: our country comes first. Montgomery urges Christians to consider what God would say about that before hopping on that train.

“The Bible says a lot about looking after the migrant and the sojourner and the displaced refugee. I don’t find anything in the Bible about border control. Now that’s not to say that there shouldn’t be some things there in the issues of justice for all—for all our citizens. But that’s pretty far down the list compared to the overwhelming commands in Scripture to look after the sojourner.”

From the Old Testament to the New, we see how much God cares about the foreigner. He commands the Israelites over and over again to treat the sojourner as a member of their nation. In Matthew 25, Jesus urges His listeners to welcome the stranger like they would Christ Himself. These are just a few of the many examples.

Immigration and the Kingdom of God

Montgomery points out that even using the phrase “our country,” is not biblical. It’s failing to recognize that ultimately, all that we have is God’s, and we are His stewards.

One way we can tell if we’re responding to a situation biblically is to consider where we have set our hope and our heart. Is it in God’s plan, or our ability to prosper here on earth?

(Image courtesy of Kyle Glenn via Unsplash)

“We will necessarily have a very different outlook on what is good for our country than those for whom this world with its economics and its standards of living is all that there is. That’s not our bottom line. Our bottom line is for justice and fairness and Kingdom of God values. If it is just about this world and just about our standard of living, then we decide everything on economics.”

Instead of going with political or cultural trends, Montgomery says our job is to help those in peril who don’t have a voice, don’t have a home, and are possibly outrunning persecution or other danger. When we stop viewing the countries we live in as possessions and instead view them as a gift from God, meant to build His Kingdom, everything changes. We become generous.

“We have space in our countries. I do feel sorry for places like Malta and areas of Greece where they are overwhelmed because they don’t have the space. And one of the reasons they’re so overwhelmed is that they’re at the frontline and few other countries that have much more space are not willing to open their borders.”

Of course, there needs to be security screenings and rules surrounding how people come into different countries.  Laws need to be upheld. But, Montgomery says it should not be at the cost of basic human rights. Nor do we need to be worried that immigrants are going to negatively impact society.

Many times, people grab on to stereotypes surrounding immigrants. They point to the worst stories that, while rare and extreme, get the most press and attention. But these exceptions do not give an accurate depiction of what strangers from a foreign land have to offer.

“The reality is that many immigrants actually contribute much more to our economy and to the richness and diversity of our country than many of our own citizens.”

Not only do people from other countries bring this richness and diversity, but they also help strengthen our churches. And, the movement of people allows for the spreading of the Gospel.

Montgomery gives the example of a church from his homeland in Ireland. He says just a few years ago when he visited, there were only eight or nine people attending. But the last time he visited, it was a thriving church of 60 or 70 people, representing 20 different nations.

Learn More

If you want to learn more on this topic, Montgomery suggests reading material from the Jubilee Centre, or the Gospel Coalition. There are many other great resources out there about biblically responding to immigration, you just have to get started!

“Some of the things they point out are, get your facts straight. Don’t just listen to the latest popular idea of what’s happening. Talk to people on the frontline.”

(Photo by Alvin Engler via Unsplash)

There are many ways we can respond to immigration, refugee resettlement, and asylum seekers. First of all, pray for the workers on the front lines. Consider helping short term in refugee camps or refugee resettlement programs.

Specifically in camps, Montgomery says, “It might just be hands-on help, distributing water. Teaching kids—education is a big issue in those camps because those kids are losing out on years of education. So, simple stuff like that about makeshift classrooms. Just distributing much-needed resources.

“And then at home. It might just be a case of crossing the street. I mean, that’s essentially what it is. There’s bound to be somebody in your locality who does not come from the country you’re living in and who has settled. Find out about their story. Ask ‘Why did you come here? How welcoming have you found our country? What would have been easier for you?’ And start looking at them as people rather than as a problem.”

“I think the Bible is so clear on this issue. I mean, as Christians we’re called to love. We’re called to step into working with anybody who’s marginalized. Anybody who is vulnerable. Anybody who needs assistance,” Anderson says.

Bethany is not a political agency, but it is in the business of helping vulnerable people. Unfortunately, sometimes issues pertaining to vulnerable people get politicized. However, Anderson, who has worked with refugees and immigrants for 15 years, says in regards to people crossing at the southern border, the situation was worse about four years ago.

Why People Are Fleeing

But, let’s draw it back to the “why” behind some of these crossings. Many individuals and families are fleeing horrors in South and Central America.

“Which is essentially that’s what a refugee does. A refugee runs and they cross an international border without permission, right, because how can they wait for permission because they are unsafe,” Anderson says.

(Photo courtesy of Bethany Christian Services via Facebook)

Anderson says people at the border are fleeing situations where children are threatened to be killed as manipulation tactics against parents. Situations where women are raped and neighbors are victimized. These are not occasionally occurrences for a statistic war. They are instead very real threats.

“Everybody is programmed to want to live, right? Nobody is going to stay in an unsafe situation. If I came home today and somebody said ‘If I see you tomorrow I will kill your child,’ I would leave. I think we all would. And so, that is what is happening. That’s the reality of what is happening. These people are refugees and they need help,” Anderson explains.

“And so, as Christians I think we step into that and we say how can we assist you. How can we join you?”

Love: The Greatest of These

Let’s take a leaf out of Jesus’ book (otherwise known as the Bible). In 1 John 4:7-21, the author boils God down to love. This scripture states that whoever loves knows God, and those who do not love do not know God. The author even says that there is no fear in love. In fact, love is a theme in Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV). Here Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment in the law, to which he replies:

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

But, what is love? God authors the answer in 1 Corinthians 13, particularly in verses 4-8 (NIV) which say:

vs. 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
vs. 5: It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
vs. 6: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
vs. 7: It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres.
vs. 8: Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Reread 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 while keeping the refugee, the vulnerable, and the immigrant at the forefront of your mind. For example, read it as love is patient [with refugees]. Love is kind [towards the vulnerable], etc.

Ways to Respond

Bethany currently has numerous programs to help refugee/immigrant children and unaccompanied minors across the U.S. Anderson says “any child under the agent has the right to remain in the U.S. until an immigration judge hears their story.” During this waiting period, Bethany helps provide these kids with foster care until they are reunified with a relative. Currently Bethany serves about 200 kids in this way.

Bethany also has a large refugee program to help resettle refugees and refugee children from around the world.

(Photo Courtesy Bethany Christian Services via Facebook)

Not sure how to love well in this scenario? Bethany has an extensive volunteer program for folks to get involved with. Volunteers can help by tutoring or mentoring children. A volunteer can come alongside a refugee family and help them resettle into a new apartment.

“Refugee families and refugee children just need so much. They need so much care and so much love and so there’s just ample ways to get involved if people have that desire,” Anderson says.

Regardless of the politics surrounding helping people different from ourselves, take the opportunity to come alongside a vulnerable person or family with Bethany. Use that opportunity to obey God, share a love that drives out fear, and learn about someone’s story.

“We don’t have to be afraid of refugees and immigrants. We don’t have to be afraid of them. I have worked with this population my entire career and I truly think that the people that I have encountered are amazing, are lovely, lovely people who truly just want to have the opportunity to raise their families, to be safe,” Anderson explains.

Always Be Prayerful

Pray for a heart that draws near to Christ and is capable, through Christ’s strength, to love without fear. Ask God to lead your heart in how to respond to refugees and other vulnerable people, as well as ways to tangibly help. Finally, pray that God will move among the vulnerable, the immigrants, and the refugees to make known His love and the truth of the Gospel tangible.

Get involved through Bethany here!

Header photo by Daan Huttinga on Unsplash.