In 2024 the UN Refugee Agency reported that more than 122 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide.
How Christians Can Help Refugees and Displaced People
Pray
for refugees and their homelands
Only God can end the refugee crisis. Only God can bring the healing and peace our world needs. But God hears your prayers. This makes your prayers an important form of advocacy. Through prayer, you can advocate for healing, peace, and safety that only God can provide.
— PRAY FOR —
The top refugee producing countries
Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Sudan
— PRAY FOR —
The top asylum seeker producing countries
Sudan, Venezuela, Colombia, Syria, and Somalia
— PRAY FOR —
The countries with the highest number of internally displaced people:
Sudan, Myanmar, DR Congo, Ukraine, and Haiti
— PRAY FOR —
God's peace
That God’s peace would be found in the conflicted nations and regions in the world
— PRAY FOR —
Safety
That there might be safety for every person who is forced to flee their home
— PRAY FOR —
The body of Christ
That in every part of the world, we will extend hospitality to refugees and displaced people
Advocate
for refugees and displaced people
The journey from fleeing a community that is no longer safe to settling in a new home is often long, difficult, and dangerous. You can advocate for governmental policies that make finding refuge safer and more accessible to those who need it.
Local/State/National Legislators
Contact your local, state and national legislators to learn about their views on immigration, displaced people and international humanitarian aid, and encourage their support of legislation that provides for the safety and security of those in our world who are forcibly displaced and are seeking refuge.
Church World Service
Connect with Church World Service (CWS) and sign up for their Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Alerts
CRC Office of Social Justice
Connect with CRC Office of Social Justice and sign up for their action alerts. For Canadian residents, connect with the CRC Centre for Public Dialogue and sign up for their action alerts.
Responding to ICE in Places of Worship
This resource page provides information about preparing for a possible visit from and encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in places of worship. Available in 10 languages.
Know Your Rights for Houses of Worship
This webinar recording from the Massachusetts Council of Churches & the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston will help your church know your rights as a place of worship.
Factsheet on the Rescission of Protected Areas Policy
The National Immigration Law Center put together this factsheet on the Rescission of Protected Areas Policy, which includes churches. Learn what the protected areas policy was, what laws apply to those areas now, and what steps advocates and communities can take to support immigrants in continuing to access critical community spaces and services.
Guide to Understanding Immigration in Uncertain Times
From World Relief Equipped to Act comes this guide to understanding immigration in uncertain times. This toolkit highlights key policies to watch this year, important terms to know, explanations that counter the most common immigration myths, and practical steps you can take to advocate in your community.
Welcome
refugees and immigrants in your community
Biblical hospitality is extending privilege across difference. It’s treating outsiders like insiders. Refugees and immigrants who come to your community are outsiders. Their life experiences, language, and cultural background are probably different than yours. But through hospitality, you can make your community a welcoming place for them to build a new home.
4 ways you can welcome the stranger
Participate in refugee resettlement in your local community. Contact your local refugee resettlement agency for more information.
Reach out to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in your community and build authentic relationships with them. Assist them in making sure that every day needs are met.
Create a culture of welcoming and hospitality to refugees and displaced people in your church, local schools and medical facilities, libraries and other municipal buildings, etc.
Start an ELL (English language learner) or ESL (English as a second language) class in your church or community.
Partner
with organizations focused on helping refugees
There are many organizations committed to ministry with refugees and displaced people. You can increase the impact of this important work by getting involved.
Church World Service
provides many services related to the care of refugees and displaced people, including refugee resettlement and advocacy.
CRC Office of Social Justice
has resources for education and worship focused on immigration and refugee issues, as well as an advocacy center.
CRC Centre for Public Dialogue
has resources for education and worship focused on immigration and refugee issues, as well as an advocacy center.
Partners Relief & Development
joins with communities impacted by war and oppression to strengthen families, meet their needs in times of crisis, and create nurturing environments that allow children to reach their full potential.
Your local refugee resettlement agency.
CWS, Bethany Christian Services and Interfaith-RISE all provide refugee resettlement services and would appreciate partnering with you.
JJ TenClay
Reformed Church in America missionary and Refugee Ministries Coordinator for RCA Global Mission, to discern how God might be calling you, your church, or your community to care for refugees and displaced people.
Project Hospitality
is a partner of RCA Global Mission who extends hospitality to marginalized people, including refugees, on Staten Island, New York.
Give
to organizations and ministries focused on refugees and displaced people
Helping refugees settle safely in new homes requires resources. Your generosity with your time, talent, and financial contributions can make a big difference.
— VOLUNTEER —
Volunteer or give to agencies who provide services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. CWS, Bethany Christian Services and Interfaith-RISE all provide refugee resettlement services if you’re looking for a place to start.
— DONATE —
Financially support missionaries ministering with refugees and displaced people, including:
- JJ TenClay, missionary and Refugee Ministries Coordinator (serving globally)
- Nancy and Shelvis Smith-Mather, missionaries serving in Uganda and South Sudan
- Angel Lopez, missionary serving with Frontera de Gracia at the U.S./Mexico border
Donate new and gently-used clothing and housewares to local refugee resettlement agencies.
Project Hospitality is a partner of RCA Global Mission who extends hospitality to marginalized people, including refugees, on Staten Island, New York.
— CREATE —
Start a new ministry serving the needs of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in your church, or allow non-profit agencies who provide services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers to use your church facilities.