Posts by worldrelief
World Relief Expands and Rebrands Texas Locations in Response to Growing Displacement Crisis
July 18, 2023
CONTACT:
Pinkston Team
wr@pinkston.co
DALLAS, TX — World Relief announced this week a rebrand for its office locations in Fort Worth and Dallas to World Relief Texas. With an expansion to Dallas County earlier this year and the addition of an Austin location next month, the faith-based refugee resettlement and immigrant services agency updated its name to better reflect its regional impact.
“We have been diligently working towards this milestone,” said Aerlande Wontamo, Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs at World Relief. “This development opens up exciting possibilities for serving the community and making a lasting difference in the region.”
World Relief has worked in Texas since 1980 in response to the needs of refugees fleeing wars in Southeast Asia. World Relief Texas is part of a national network of offices through which over 400,000 refugees and other immigrants have been welcomed into the community through church centered, holistic and sustainable solutions.
“Creating a deep-rooted sense of belonging for every person lies at the very heart of our mission,” said World Relief Texas Regional Director Garrett Pearson. “We see the immense crisis in mass displacement that grips our world, and communities across the state of Texas have enthusiastically stepped forward to embrace these families within their own communities. Particularly in Austin, churches have fervently prayed for an opportunity to extend a warm welcome, reignite hope, and rebuild futures alongside World Relief for the countless women, men, and children seeking stability.”
To learn more about World Relief Texas, as well its new branding efforts and logo, please visit worldrelief.org/texas.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org
Grounded in God’s Vision: Q&A with Aerlande Wontamo
In January 2023, we welcomed Aerlande Wontamo as World Relief’s new Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs. She recently sat down with us to share how her professional expertise, personal experience and strong sense of calling have uniquely prepared her for this role.
We hope you enjoy hearing from Aerlande as much as we did!
Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and your story?
I’m originally from Ethiopia but grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. Due to a political crisis, my father went to Kenya as a refugee. A little over two years later, my two siblings, mother and I followed. The separation at a young age and understanding what that meant for my mother as the sole breadwinner who was managing three young kids made a profound impact on me.
In Nairobi, my parents had other refugees over for lunch and dinner every Sunday after church. It wasn’t so much that they needed a meal, but that they needed to not think about being a refugee for one afternoon. The integral role of the church and the impact those interactions have on people was something I deeply understood and drew me to World Relief.
You have almost 15 years of experience in refugee resettlement. What have you learned along the way?
We set people up well when we walk alongside them in intentional community and provide wraparound services. However, one of the biggest red flags I’ve seen over the years is the mentality of saviorism. It’s crucial to acknowledge that while refugees may carry the label “refugee,” it doesn’t encompass their entire identity. They bring a multitude of skills and experiences, and our lives are often enriched through our interactions with them.
What do you think sets World Relief apart?
At World Relief, we look at what we do not just as good work, but as a space we are called to be in as Jesus would be. Grounding ourselves in our biblical mission helps us understand that we’re part of God’s big picture and vision.
An important question I like to ask is, “Where does your joy come from, or what grounds you?” If it is in accomplishments like getting a grant or opening an office, that’s very fleeting. I find deep joy in being called to this work because it is truly a privilege to be part of God’s work.
We talk a lot about building welcoming communities. Why is that important?
That’s really a personal value for me — as a human, I need community to thrive. But community is not birthed out of just being in a space. There’s an intentional, relational investment.
I think about a client I had who was a single mother with three kids under seven. We matched her with two volunteers who, every Saturday, would take her kids to dance class because they had so much energy. But once their six months of volunteering ended, they continued to meet with her and became family, not because they needed to do things to help her be successful, but because they extended friendship to her and her daughters.
World Relief has been resettling refugees and serving immigrants since the 1970s, but you’re the first SVP of U.S. Programs who has lived experience as a refugee. How does that shape the way you lead?
I have grown up in this system in terms of both a lived experience and a professional career, and this is deeply embedded in my DNA. Growing up in a church filled with a transient refugee community informs who I am and how I hold space.
I’m a huge believer in diversity and all aspects of it. I think about women’s representation, people of color, immigrant voices, people with lived experiences. There are so many categories that we can pull from, but we must come from the mindset of, “this allows us to build a greater group,” versus thinking, “now I have to check off this item.” As an organization, it takes boldness to move in that direction, and there’s so much value that can come out of it.
Where do you see World Relief’s U.S. programs headed in the next year?
I always say, “If not us, then who?” Programmatically we have resettled about 9.3% of the refugees arriving in the U.S. every year. If 125,000 refugees come in this year, we are looking at resettling around 13,000. Growth is integral — we must look at investing in new ways of supporting churches and communities who want to walk alongside refugees and other immigrants and in building more sustainable models that set up our offices to be successful.
Now to end on a fun one — do you have any hidden talents?
That’s the hardest question of all! I enjoy a good baking challenge. Recently, I made French macarons, not sure if it’s a talent yet — but maybe one day!
Want to learn more about how World Relief’s U.S. Programs are creating change in the lives of refugees, other immigrants and the communities that welcome them around the country?
Meghan Gallagher is a Seattle-based freelance content writer and strategist. She has a B.S. in Marketing Management and a background in digital marketing for healthcare, nonprofit, and higher education organizations. When she’s not writing, you can find her working as a local bookseller and enjoying all the Seattle area has to offer.
Kelly Hill is the Senior Content Writer at World Relief. She previously served as Volunteer Services Manager at World Relief Triad in North Carolina. With a background in International and Intercultural Communication, she is passionate about the power of story to connect people of diverse experiences.
World Relief Praises the Re-Introduction of the Bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act and Urges Swift Passage
July 14, 2023
CONTACT:
Pinkston Team
wr@pinkston.co
BALTIMORE, MD — Today, World Relief praises the bipartisan re-introduction of an Afghan Adjustment Act in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and urges swift Congressional passage of the bill.
This important bill acknowledges the plight of Afghan nationals who faced an urgent threat of persecution under the Taliban, including many who have worked tirelessly alongside the United States military, diplomatic missions, and non-governmental organizations, risking their lives to support the cause of peace and stability. These individuals have been our allies and partners in promoting shared values such as freedom, justice, and human dignity. We are grateful that they have found refuge in the United States – but they still have only temporary legal protections in the U.S. that bear expiration dates.
“In the nearly two years that have passed since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, World Relief has partnered with churches and communities to serve more than 6,000 Afghans who fled persecution,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “Americans of all backgrounds have eagerly welcomed Afghan neighbors. The Afghan Adjustment Act is an opportunity for Congress to convey the American public’s commitment to Afghan parolees by allowing them to apply for permanent legal status, relieving them of the fear and stress associated with living in legal limbo.”
Over 70,000 Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. in the weeks following the fall of Kabul nearly two years ago. The need to support their full integration continues, as many Afghans remain in legal limbo, with their parole and work authorization bearing expiration dates. The Afghan Adjustment Act would allow Afghans with parole to apply for Lawful Permanent Resident status without needing to rely upon woefully backlogged legal processes for asylum or Special Immigrant Visas. The bill also appropriately subjects Afghans to additional vetting and screening before they would be granted permanent legal status.
“We are grateful for the strong bipartisan leadership in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, demonstrating that Congress works together on common sense policy solutions,” said Matthew Soerens, Vice President of Advocacy & Policy for World Relief. “We urge Congress to act immediately to pass it into law, heeding the voices of Afghan allies and of the many people who have helped to welcome new Afghan neighbors, including thousands of local churches that have stepped up to build communities of love and welcome to receive them.”
World Relief invites all who care about the wellbeing of Afghans to urge their Members of Congress to support the Afghan Adjustment Act. An online tool to do so is available at https://worldrelief.org/advocate/support-the-afghan-adjustment-act/.
To download a PDF version of this release, click here.
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About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org.
10 Books to Read This Summer
If you’re anything like me, you love a good book list — especially for summer. The sun is brighter and the heat invites us to bask in the delight of a season that reminds us to rest and make space for fun. I recently asked my co-workers at World Relief what books they’d recommend for our summer reading list and today, we’re sharing a few of those recommendations.
Whether you are looking for a book to read poolside, on your next flight or at home in the cool evening, we hope this list of varied experiences and notable voices helps engage your mind and your heart this summer!
“We read to know we aren’t alone.” C.S. Lewis.
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Chimamanda’s fictional story about a Nigerian couple separated by war, forced to take separate paths in completely different countries while boldly commenting on today’s realities in race and class promises to leave you different than when you began it. It’s no wonder this book made it onto countless Best Book of the Year lists.
- Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration by Karen Gonzalez – Former World Relief staff member, Karen Gonzalez reminds us how centering immigrant voices when discussing immigration is not only important but critical to following a gospel-centered approach to how we advocate for, vote on and learn about the marginalized. A must-read for anyone looking to take their advocacy and solidarity to a deeper level and a top resource we recommend in learning about refugees and other immigrants.
- Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive by Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard – Co-written byWorld Relief’s very own, Eeva Sallinen Simard, this book explores how faith-based organizations can create and sustain a safe work environment for a diverse workforce to flourish. With practical steps and solutions, Creating Cultures of Belonging will inspire you to bring change and best practices to your own organization.
- Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri – This young adult autobiographical novel has won countless awards for its immense heart and masterfully written storytelling. It tells the story of Daniel and his family’s journey as Iranian refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. after his mother embraces Christianity. Daniel shares what it’s like to cope with forming his identity while navigating a new culture in a new world.
- His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God by Kristie Anyabwile – This inspiring collection of stories written by women of color from different cultural backgrounds will leave you in awe of God’s intentional purpose for his daughters. As a Latina Christ-follower, these words ministered to my whole self and reminded me of how a good God perfectly created us to do his work in a multicultural and diverse world.
- Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun – Often times when we think of advocacy or working in social justice, we think of loud marches or individual voices speaking out to the masses. While that is a small part of it, Dorcas highlights the vital role the quiet observers and thinkers play in the pursuit of justice while freeing us from the myth of an ideal activist.
- The Stranger At Our Shore: How Immigrants and Refugees Strengthen the Church by Josh Sheriff – Josh shares his personal story of leaving Islam as a child into a new life in Christ while speaking into a new vision of what missions can look like and discipling to people different from yourself. I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Josh’s commitment to God’s people when he was a pastor at a local church in Chicago. I know that anyone who reads this book will glean so much wisdom from his experience and devoted heart.
- The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World by Sandra Van Opstal – Worship does not look any one specific way. If we are joining together in church with God’s creation in mind, then our worship is full of all tribes and all nations- honoring the many ways he has made us to glorify him. Sandra dives deep into what that looks like and her expertise will convict you into bringing this wisdom to your church, your life and your own worship.
- This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley – This book of reflections and life lessons from Cole’s family history while written in prose, is pure poetry. Cole’s writing will remind you of the beauty of the written word and her insights will serve as a balm to your soul. If you only read one book this summer, let it be this one.
- Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics by Eugene Cho Gear up for the upcoming election season by learning how to engage in healthy and graceful (God-centered) political discussions. Eugene’s book boldly confronts the challenges we face today in talking about why politics matter, how to live out your convictions while loving the very people you disagree with and how those convictions should be Bible-centered vs. directed by political party agendas.
Enter the Summer Book Giveaway
This summer we are giving away 3 books from the list above. Fill out your information below for a chance to win!
(A winner will be announced on July 21.)
Jessica Galván is a Content Writer at World Relief. She is passionate about storytelling and amplifying diverse voices to reveal the beauty of God’s creation. She is also the Editorial Director for Chasing Justice and prior to World Relief, she was a freelance writer and editor for a variety of clients in publishing, most recently Penguin Random House. When she isn’t wordsmithing for the pursuit of faith and justice, she is spending time with her husband and their 3 children in the Houston, TX area.
How is World Relief Helping Refugees in Chad?
We cannot let them go hungry during their Eid. We cannot see them crying when it is supposed to be a celebration of triumph.
Did you know, the country of Chad hosts the second-highest number of refugees per capita in Africa? It’s one of the reasons we opened a new office in Chad earlier this year. And yet, we couldn’t have foreseen that the recent conflict in Sudan would push more than 179,000 new refugees into Chad. We have been placed for such a time as this.
Prior to this conflict, Chad had already welcomed nearly 600,000 refugees including individuals from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Niger and Cameroon. As one of the poorest nations in the world, Chad does not have the resources to handle the mass influx of refugees from Sudan.
An urgent humanitarian crisis is rapidly unfolding at the Chadian border. Like you, our hearts are broken and we’re ready to respond. Today, we’re sharing an update on the evolving crisis and how you can help refugees in Chad.
Who are the refugees arriving in Chad?
The current influx of refugees are from Sudan, specifically West and Central Darfur. Most of those arriving are women and children as it is almost impossible for men from certain tribes in West and Central Darfur to make the journey due to the targeting of males from different tribes.
What makes this situation especially unique is that World Relief has a personal connection to many of the refugees entering Chad. These are families and individuals that we’ve served through our office in Sudan. Our teams have known these people for a long time and have built relationships with them. They have walked alongside and witnessed their Darfurian brothers and sisters regrow decimated communities and rebuild livelihoods. The response to this current crisis is deeply personal as much as it is professional.
Many refugees arriving in Chad are doing so without food, water, shelter and other protection measures. Many will face hunger, thirst, exploitation or even death. There is an immediate and urgent need to respond in order to save the lives of the people who are facing some of the most dire circumstances imaginable.
Tragedy During the Holiday Season
To make things even more challenging, many Sudanese people find themselves away from home, in a foreign land, during the coming Eid-al-Adha — one of the most significant holidays celebrated in Islam.
The word Eid, which means “feast or festival” is used to refer to two major holidays. For our Muslim brothers and sisters, Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” falls on June 28th this year. The holiday honors Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command and is a time when many Muslims give generously to help those in need. Today, they should be celebrating with family, friends, neighbors and relatives. Instead, they have been displaced in a foreign land.
Despite religious differences, as Christians, we are commanded to take care of our fellow human beings. As Matthew 25:40 says (NIV), “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
We pray for our brothers and sisters who are experiencing life’s most heartbreaking circumstances. May they feel seen, heard and protected during the Eid and throughout their journey in refugee camps.
How You Can Help Refugees in Chad
An emergency response team composed of World Relief staff from around the world arrived in Chad on June 12, 2023 to support World Relief’s Chad office in a cross-border refugee response. There are reports of mass casualties and bodies waiting to be buried along the border. A horrific and heartbreaking scene.
Crisis response is a tangible way for us to extend the love of Christ to those who are suffering in their greatest time of need. We cannot control when a crisis strikes. But when it does, God calls you and me to respond with compassion – wherever and whenever help is needed most.
We invite you to join us in prayer and by giving to our response effort in Sudan and Chad. World Relief is aiming to raise $400,000 for this response. One hundred percent of funds raised will be used for direct aid for vulnerable families impacted by this crisis.
With your help:
- $10 can provide water for a family
- $20 can provide clothes for a child
- $30 can provide meals for a family for a day
- $75 can provide blankets and a solar lamp
Your generosity will go directly to teams on the ground in Chad to provide a safe haven for Sudanese refugees with access to food, clean water, basic necessities and temporary shelter. It will also help families pay for burial expenses for the loved ones they’ve lost.
For nearly 80 years, World Relief has been responding to crises and disasters, providing emergency relief and building resilience where and when it’s needed most. It is our desire and hope to see a world free from suffering and injustice.
Carrell Cataya Magno is Protection Program Manager at World Relief Sudan.
Carrell has nearly 20 years of experience working in complex humanitarian environments. She has background in general protection, human rights, violence prevention, community empowerment and coordination of humanitarian response. Prior to joining World Relief, she worked with Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan for more than six years. She also worked with a number of NGOs in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, and she has extensive experience working in remote locations. Carrell has demonstrated success in negotiating with armed actors at the local level for access for humanitarian workers (both her own team and others) and protection of civilians’ rights. Carrell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development from the University of the Philippines and a diploma in Sustainable Development Studies from Mindanao State University.
A Prayer for Refugees
Every June, we at World Relief invite people like you to join us in honoring World Refugee Day. And we believe one important way we can walk alongside our refugee neighbors is through prayer.Â
Prayer is a source of power and light in dark times. As we face the largest displacement crisis in recorded history with over 108 million displaced people and 35.3 million refugees worldwide, prayer is an essential part of our response.
For me, prayer has been integral to my growth as a Christian. It has given clarity to big life decisions, healing to sicknesses and physical pain and it has been a practice of vulnerability and unity within Christian community. Prayer is the simplest act of being and communicating with God our Father.
Will you join me today in his presence as we pray for refugees together?
Father, I still my heart and mind to focus on you. Speak, your child is listening.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Read: “The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt.” — Deuteronomy 10: 17-19 (GNT)
How wonderful and powerful you are, Lord. Help me to reflect you and love like you.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Today, I pray for those who are vulnerable and who may not be able to see your might and presence in their lives at this moment. I pray for those fleeing violence, wars and persecution; be their guide and comfort. For the millions of refugees around the world, waiting for justice and a new home.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for my city and community. May it be a place of safety, support and solace for those in distress.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lord, I think about our nation’s leaders and government. May they use their positions of power to work towards justice and righteousness.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for your church, that it would be a city on a hill, shining bright as a beacon for all who seek a new and better way.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lastly, I stand firm, covered with the armor of God, and pray against the work of the enemy, who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I offer this prayer to you and declare that yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Want to learn more about refugees and how you can celebrate their lives and stories this World Refugee Day?
Nou Huse works at World Relief as the U.S. Good Neighbor Team (GNT) Program Coordinator. She formerly served as the Volunteer and GNT Coordinator at World Relief Fox Valley. Before joining the World Relief team, she lived seven years abroad working in education and serving in urban missions. She aims to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God in all things.
Refugee Stories: Meet Malian
There’s someone we’d like you to meet. At just 16, Malian was forced to flee his home in Burma. For the next 15 years, he and his young family waited for a place where they could rebuild their lives. This is his refugee story.
Every June, we invite people like you to celebrate World Refugee Day — a day that honors the strength, courage and refugee stories of people like Malian. Will you help ensure more families like his can find a safe place to call home?
World Relief to Expand Reach of Refugee Resettlement Services as a Welcome Corps Private Sponsorship Organization
June 13, 2023
CONTACT:
Pinkston Team
wr@pinkston.co
BALTIMORE, MD — Today, the Welcome Corps program announced World Relief’s designation as a Private Sponsorship Organization to assist with nationwide refugee resettlement efforts. The Welcome Corps program was first launched in January 2023, allowing everyday Americans to privately sponsor refugees and assist them in the process of resettling in the United States. As a Private Sponsorship Organization, World Relief will expand the reach of their resettlement services through new private sponsorship groups around the country that are able to welcome refugees and provide them with support and resources they need to rebuild their lives in the United States.
“We are thrilled to join the Welcome Corps as a private sponsor organization. While World Relief has always worked closely with local churches in welcoming refugees, our reach has been limited by the geographic scope of our local offices,” said Aerlande Wontamo, senior vice president of U.S. Programs at World Relief. “However, through Welcome Corps, we now have the opportunity to expand our reach and partner with churches and communities that have long expressed their desire to welcome refugees. This partnership enables us to respond to the current era of unprecedented displacement, enhance our capacity to welcome more refugees, and equip communities eager to extend welcome to their new neighbors.”
The Welcome Corps program comes at a time of broad support for refugee resettlement among Americans overall, but especially among evangelical Christians who are eager to participate in the call to serve the vulnerable. The Welcome Corps private sponsorship program will allow World Relief to partner with additional church-based Good Neighbor Teams to carry out core private sponsorship services, including providing refugees with assistance in securing employment, safe housing, and education opportunities for children, along with cultural orientation services that empower individuals to make community connections.
“For almost 80 years, World Relief has been responding to the global refugee crisis. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe, our work has touched the lives of millions of people in over 100 countries, many of whom have now found refuge and a safe place to call home here in the U.S. At a time of unprecedented displacement, innovative programs like the Welcome Corps are needed to expand U.S. resettlement to the persecuted abroad,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “For years, many faith communities have desired to welcome refugees, but found themselves outside the current U.S. resettlement areas. As a private sponsor organization, we will use our
decades of expertise in equipping churches and communities to catalyze a greater movement of Americans ready to welcome refugees as their neighbors.”
To learn more about World Relief’s involvement with the Welcome Corps program and how to get involved, please visit https://worldrelief.org/private-sponsorship/.
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About Welcome Corps
The Welcome Corps was launched by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and is being implemented by a consortium of six organizations with expertise in refugee resettlement, protection, and welcome. Led by the Community Sponsorship Hub, the consortium includes Church World Service/Refugee Welcome Collective, IRIS – Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Welcome.US. The Welcome Corps aims to mobilize at least 10,000 Americans in 2023 to welcome refugees through private sponsorship.
Refugee newcomers who arrive through the Welcome Corps will follow an established government process that includes extensive security vetting and health checks. They will have refugee status, employment authorization, access to key public benefits like health insurance, and can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. The Welcome Corps provides sponsor groups with access to tools and resources, including a budget template, fundraising support, an arrival checklist, and ongoing guidance throughout the initial sponsorship period.
Americans interested in learning more about sponsorship or to apply to the Welcome Corps should visit WelcomeCorps.org.
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About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org.
20 Ways to Learn More About Refugees
Around the world, 103 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes — the highest number in recorded history. Of those, 32.5 million are considered refugees, having fled across an international border due to war, violence, conflict or persecution.
That’s millions of mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, teachers, doctors and friends — each created in the image of God — with full lives and identities long before they became refugees.
As we enter World Refugee Awareness Month and look toward World Refugee Day on June 20th, we’ve compiled a list of books, podcasts, videos and more to help answer your questions about refugees. As you engage with and share these resources, we hope you’ll be inspired to join us in creating a world where everyone can thrive.
READ
Some advocates have described Jesus as a refugee. But was he really? World Relief CEO Myal Greene tackles that question and how the answer should shape the Christian response to refugees and other vulnerable immigrants.
Blog: Drivers of Mass Displacement
People are displaced from their homes for myriad reasons, including persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and climate-related factors. World Relief’s Lydia Dawson explains the drivers of mass displacement and how World Relief is responding globally.
Blog: Worth the Wait: A Story of Faith, Perseverance and Love, Despite the Odds
For seven years, Congolese refugees (and newlyweds!) Mbimbi and Goreth didn’t know if they would ever see each other again. Read their story to learn more about the challenges and uncertainties that many refugees face as they rebuild.
Book: Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church
U.S. churches are at a critical crossroads — blurred lines between discipleship and partisanship have compromised our witness and confused our national and individual responses to refugees and “the stranger.” In their book, pastor Eric Costanzo, missiologist Daniel Yang and World Relief’s Matthew Soerens find hope in the witness of global Christians, the poor and the ancient church.
Book: Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration
Karen González invites Christians passionate about serving immigrants to explore how we can create welcoming communities that put our immigrant neighbors at the center of the conversation.
Book: Everything Sad is Untrue: (a true story)
Following his mother’s vocal embrace of Christianity, Daniel Nayeri, his mother and his sister were forced to flee Iran. In this memoir, he retells the tales of his family’s history from his perspective as a misfit middle schooler in Oklahoma.
Book: The Girl Who Smiled Beads
When Clementine was six years old, she and her 15-year-old sister, Clair, fled the massacre that was happening in their home country of Rwanda. In this riveting memoir, Clementine tells their story of rebuilding and reclaiming life on their own terms.
LISTEN
This World Relief mini-series offers a global and a biblical perspective on the subjects of immigration, mass displacement and refugee resettlement, diving into current policies and practices and sharing stories of our collective human experience.
This six-part series traces the U.S. refugee resettlement journey through the eyes of those directly experiencing it. Follow along as each episode brings the listener into the daily lives of refugees adjusting to life in the U.S.
Podcast Episode: Holly Andrews on How the Church Can Walk Alongside Refugees
In episode 4 of our Forward Together podcast series, Holly Andrews explains how churches can use the resources they already have to help refugees and other immigrants rebuild their lives.
WATCH
TEDx Talk: One Refugee’s Life Experience | Come Nzibarega
Born and raised in Burundi, Come Nzibarega shares his story of escaping torture and civil war and why he thinks refugee camps are the richest places in the world.
For Ibrahim’s family, the road to resettlement, reunion and rebuilding has been long. Learn more about the obstacles families like his can face as they seek safety.
Video: Who are Refugees and How Do They Arrive in the United States?
From flight and displacement to arrival and integration, this 7-minute animated video tells the true story of a refugee family’s experience in each stage of the refugee resettlement process.
STUDY
World Relief Workshop Course: Intro to Resettlement
Have you ever wondered what actually happens in the resettlement process or what a resettlement agency does? This FREE, 45-minute course will answer those questions and explain how you and your community can support refugees resettling in the U.S.
World Relief Workshop Course: Navigating Friendships
Navigating friendships with those who are different from us can be rewarding — and challenging! In this self-paced, online course you’ll learn essential skills for building empowering, long-lasting friendships with those who may differ from you in culture, socioeconomic status and religion, and best practices for supporting a friend who lives with trauma. During the month of June, enroll for 50% off with code WORLDREFUGEEDAY50.
Bible Study: Christ Like Welcome
Jesus astonished the culture around him by giving voice to the speechless, frustrating the powerful and humbling the wise. In this 5-week study from our partners at Women of Welcome, learn how your welcome can become like his — wonderfully surprising, deeply challenging and firmly rooted in love.
Bible Reading Plan: The I Was a Stranger Challenge
Take the challenge and discover God’s heart for those who have been displaced. Over the course of 40 days, read one Bible passage a day that speaks to God’s love for foreigners and refugees.
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Children’s Book: Marisol’s Dress
In the midst of a revolution, young Marisol is forced to flee the life she knows and loves in vibrant Cuba. In this beautifully illustrated book, Emily Ozier follows her mother and grandmother as they journey to the U.S., facing challenges and celebrating along the way.
Children’s Book: My Two Blankets
When Cartwheel moves to a new country as a refugee, everything is strange: the animals, the plants, even the wind. An old blanket comforts her when she’s sad, and a new blanket just might change her world. A story about leaving home, arriving in a foreign land and finding a new friend.
For parents and teachers wondering how to talk about mass displacement with children and teens, the UN Refugee Agency offers teaching materials on refugees, asylum and migration, as well as guidance for teachers working with refugee children in the classroom.
Are you ready to take the next step towards creating a more welcoming and just world for refugees and other vulnerable immigrants? Learn how you can join us today.
Karen Spencer is World Relief’s U.S. Marketing Partner and serves U.S. offices in the area of identity and messaging. She previously served as Mobilization Director for World Relief in Memphis, where she lives. She is a connector of people, places, passions and purpose.
Kelly Hill serves as a Content Writer at World Relief and previously served as Volunteer Services Manager at World Relief Triad in North Carolina. With a background in International and Intercultural Communication, she is passionate about the power of story to connect people of diverse experiences.
A Prayer for Refugees
Every June, we at World Relief invite people like you to join us in honoring World Refugee Day. And we believe one important way we can walk alongside our refugee neighbors is through prayer.
Prayer is a source of power and light in dark times. As we face the largest displacement crisis in recorded history with over 108 million displaced people and 35.3 million refugees worldwide, prayer is an essential part of our response.Â
For me, prayer has been integral to my growth as a Christian. It has given clarity to big life decisions, healing to sicknesses and physical pain and it has been a practice of vulnerability and unity within Christian community. Prayer is the simplest act of being and communicating with God our Father.
Will you join me today in his presence as we pray for refugees together?
Father, I still my heart and mind to focus on you. Speak, your child is listening.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Read: “The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt.” — Deuteronomy 10: 17-19 (GNT)
How wonderful and powerful you are, Lord. Help me to reflect you and love like you.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Today, I pray for those who are vulnerable and who may not be able to see your might and presence in their lives at this moment. I pray for those fleeing violence, wars and persecution; be their guide and comfort. For the millions of refugees around the world, waiting for justice and a new home.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for my city and community. May it be a place of safety, support and solace for those in distress.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lord, I think about our nation’s leaders and government. May they use their positions of power to work towards justice and righteousness.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for your church, that it would be a city on a hill, shining bright as a beacon for all who seek a new and better way.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lastly, I stand firm, covered with the armor of God, and pray against the work of the enemy, who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I offer this prayer to you and declare that yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Want to learn more about refugees and how you can celebrate their lives and stories this World Refugee Day?
Nou Huse works at World Relief as the U.S. Good Neighbor Team (GNT) Program Coordinator. She formerly served as the Volunteer and GNT Coordinator at World Relief Fox Valley. Before joining the World Relief team, she lived seven years abroad working in education and serving in urban missions. She aims to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God in all things.