Posts by worldrelief
Drought Pushes Turkana Herders to Farming
Listen to a recent VOA interview with Darren Harder, World Relief’s South Sudan Country Director. (Interview begins at 7:04)
Changemakers in the U.S. â Love is Our Mission
Gicheru Njoroge, Case Specialist at World Relief’s Atlanta office, assists a recently arrived refugee family from Syria.
The Changemaker series features stories from our work around the world. It is our hope that these stories will inspire, encourage, and enrich you. The following post was written by Emily Gray, SVP of U.S. Ministries, World Relief.
Over the last year, the word ârefugeeâ has come to symbolize much of the fear, uncertainty, and division plaguing our nation. As our country struggles to grapple with ever-evolving international complexities and rapidly shifting political tides, refugees have, in many ways, become synonymous with this messy, somewhat chaotic and confusing environment. Used as scapegoats, singled out as potential risks to our security, criticized as drains on our economy, and intimidated with threats, their presence in America has too often been devoid of the peace theyâd hoped for. In seeking refuge, many have instead encountered hardship, isolation, and even overt hostility. And as the world confronts worsening headlines on a daily basis, often provoking greater impetus to stereotype, the plight of the refugee in America is intensifying.
Despite our nationâs long and proud tradition as an open and compassionate society, many people now see refugees as a problem rather than as vulnerable people who have suffered horribly in often horrific circumstances. These are people who have needed considerable strength and courage to make the journey to a new beginning in a foreign land, people whose presence can enrich both our culture and society, as well as the individuals and churches that come alongside them in love and compassion. Refugee resettlement touches a deep nerve, but one all too often untouched by the personal experience of befriending and welcoming these vulnerable people.
But there is another narrative about refugees, one that we see everyday at World Relief. It is the story of churches who partner with us to welcome and befriend these refugees. It is a story of love and compassion, one that replaces fear and distrust.
Because of Christâs command to us, to love our neighbor and to welcome the stranger, churches across America are responding to the plight of hundreds of thousands of refugees with compassion and hospitality. Through joining Good Neighbor groups, donating welcome kits, and hosting âRefugee Sundaysâ, our church partners are providing hope, light, and transformational love to this uniquely vulnerable group of refugees and immigrants.
Glen Ellyn Covenant Church, in Illinois, answered Godâs calling to step out in faith and welcome over 150 Burmese and Bhutanese refugees to their congregation in 2013. They did so in striving to follow the example of Jesus, who left the comforts of heaven for the messiness of this world. And something remarkable happened. Pastor Mike Langer explains,
âIt was the most powerful thing Iâve ever been involved in. They taught me so much, gave me so much, and I am so grateful to God that He placed them in our midst. We love to see ourselves as a church become more aware of what it truly means to trust God, to be citizens of Godâs kingdom, and to understand the radical implications of Jesusâs teachings. Our Bhutanese and Burmese friends helped us to do that.â
In this journey, lay the opportunity for positive transformation not only for immigrants themselves, but for the community that welcomes them and ultimately for the church and the growth of the Kingdom of God.
Love is our mission. We are called by Jesus to welcome and to love. And we respond in love because we were first loved by Him and because we know that âperfect love casts out fearâ (1 John 4:18.) We offer compassion for those who need our help, stand up as champions for those who are marginalized, and love sacrificially.
Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to answer Godâs call to be good Samaritans, and to welcome the stranger. Regardless of what lies ahead, the church must always be ready to educate others about refugees and immigrants, advocate on their behalf, and give to organizations who work directly with these foreign-born individuals and families. We have the chance to step out in faith and literally change the future for refugees and immigrants. Let us answer this calling with courage and conviction.
âThe Lord watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widowâ (Psalm 146:9 NIV)
How Much Is Enough? Thoughts from Jeff Shinabarger
âItâs better to give than receive.â In a world thatâs commercialized and in a season thatâs oftentimes defined by excess, itâs important to get back to the heart of what the season is all about: Christmas is always a great time of the year to think about giving to others, to both family and friends, and to vulnerable people around the world.
In the book More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, author Jeff Shinabarger shares practical stories of people who combat personal excess with heartfelt and generous giving. Jeff is a social entrepreneur, a designer, and a creative director. He is the founder of GiftCardGiver.com and Plywood People, an innovative community addressing social needs.
At this time of the year, many of us want to do all we can to stand with the vulnerable. But itâs also easy to feel like we canât do as much as weâd likeâor anything at all. But what if, as Jeff suggests, our ability to make a difference could be impacted by asking ourselves the question, âWhat is enough?â
Out of our excess we can address needs. But it begins with defining what is enough. What is enough?
Itâs a subjective definition that we all have to ponder at some point in life. Unfortunately weâve diminished the idea of generosity to money; too often we think we are generous only when we are giving money.
But what might you have in excess that has nothing to do with money? Excess clothes? Excess social capital? Excess amount of square footage?
We can ask the question, âWhatâs enough?â in every aspect of life. And if we choose to live with less, we gain the opportunity to give more.
Consider these easy moves:
- Look into your kitchen pantry or cupboard and set aside five cans of food. Deliver them to the nearest food bank in your area, and have a conversation with the person receiving your donation. Chances are, you will learn something new, and it will make you think differently about your next meal. Share your experience with a friend. Food is a basic and essential need for survival, and itâs one of the best things you can distribute to those in need. In Africa, there is a concept known as ubuntuâthe profound sense that you are human only through the humanity of others; that if you are to accomplish anything in this world it will be in equal measure due to the work and achievement of others. Part with your surpluses and overloads, and feed your soul.
 - Go to your closet and drawers and pull out every piece of clothing that you own. Count the items. Sort them. How many days could you go without wearing the same thing twice? Are you satisfied with your number, or do you have excess? If you feel you have too much, then decide what is enough for each category of clothing. Then pare down your garments to meet your reasonable number, and donate the rest to a charity or sell them at a resale shop and use that money to make a donation to help the vulnerable. Kelsey Timmerman says, âThe people who make our clothes are poor. We are rich. Itâs natural to feel guilty or apathy or reject the system that does nothing to help. This quest is about the way we live; because when it comes to clothing, others make it, and we have it made. And thereâs a big, big difference.â
 - Dump all the change everyone in your family has accumulated. Count it up, organize it roll by roll, and give it to an organization thatâs working to help lift someone out of poverty today. G.K Chesterton wrote, âThere are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.â
 - Keep an âexcess binâ in your house. Keep it for anything that you are not actively using anymore, and that could contribute to fill the needs of others. This bin can then be used for garage sales to raise money for orphans or charities. Committing to a place to gather your excess on a consistent basis will challenge how you live regularly. âIf we value things of the world, we will miss the things of true value,â Kim Biddle says.
Generosity is a chance to experience freedom in a world obsessed with gaining more. And as we near the end of the year, let’s consider how making a few simple changes can increase our capacity to stand with the vulnerable, and to be changemakers in our world. As we bring significant change to others, weâll be changed, too!
For more from Jeff, watch his TEDx talk and follow him, @shinabarger.
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Join a community of Changemakersâordinary people who step out in faith to do extraordinary things. Visit worldrelief.org/change to double your impact during the month of December, and join us at World Relief as we stand with the vulnerable.
World Relief Statement on BRIDGE Act
STATEMENT
December 15, 2016
WORLD RELIEF STATEMENT ON BRIDGE ACT:
World Relief Applauds Introduction of the BRIDGE Act, Urges Congress to Prioritize and Pass Immigration Reform in the New Year
On December 9th, a bipartisan bill, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, was introduced in the U.S. Senate which would sustain the temporary relief from deportation offered to particular young people through the Department of Homeland Securityâs Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Under the proposed legislation, young people who came to United States as children, who have shown a commitment to education and who have not been involved in serious criminal offenses, would maintain their eligibility to work lawfully and to live without the constant fear of being subject to deportation.
World Relief applauds the bipartisan group of Congressional leaders who have introduced the BRIDGE Act. As a Christian organization, our concern for the well-being of these young people is rooted in our biblical convictions. Scripture makes clear that God has a particular concern for those who are vulnerable, including the foreign-born. Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that each of these young people is made in the Image of God, with inherent dignity and potential. This legislation will allow them to continue to use the gifts and talents that God has given each of them by continuing their employment, investing in education, providing for their families and serving their churches and communities.
The BRIDGE Act would provide âprovisional protected presenceâ for individuals who are eligible for DACA for three years. Currently, there are approximately 740,000 individuals who have received DACA. Even those who are not currently DACA recipients, but are eligible for DACA, could apply for this status. The BRIDGE Act would be a welcomed but temporary solution, and World Relief urges Congress to prioritize and pass broad immigration reform as soon as possible.
We look forward to working with Members of Congress in both chambers to advance this legislation, and hope that the President will sign it into law. Through our network of local World Relief offices, and through local churches for whom World Relief provides technical legal support, we also stand ready to provide affordable, authorized, competent immigration legal advice to as many individuals as possible.
World Relief is a global, humanitarian relief and development organization that stands with the vulnerable and partners with local churches to end the cycle of suffering, transform lives and build sustainable communities. With over 70 years of experience, World Relief has 25 offices in the United States that specialize in refugee and immigration services, and works in 20 countries worldwide through disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding.
Contact: Jenny Yang / jyang@wr.org / 433.527.8363 / Twitter: @JennyYangWR
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Seeking Refuge Receives Award of Merit in Christianity Todayâs 2017 Book Awards
Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis, written by Stephan Bauman, Matthew Soerens and, Dr. Issam Smeir, received an Award of Merit in Christianity Todayâs 2017 Book Awards. Read Story
Changemakers in Haiti â Who is the Hero?
If the last year has taught us one thing, it is the importance of searching for truth and meaning, amidst the over-saturated, 24-hour news cycle. Our attention moves on to the next breaking story, and we do not pause to listen to the deeper stories; the less sensational ones, which are often the most inspiring ones. And yet, those are the stories we want to see, and the ones we need to hear. Stories of lives transformed, stories of hope and radical solidarity, stories that speak deep and meaningful truths to our existence. Over the next three weeks, weâll be sharing these stories from our work around the world. It is our hope that these stories will inspire, encourage, and enrich your lives.
The following post was written by Joseph Bataille, World Relief’s Country Director in Haiti.
When people think of Haiti, they often think of incredible poverty, disaster, dependence, and despair. But there is another story. It is one of the church stepping into communities as beacons of light and agents of change, offering help and hope to struggling families. For the church in Haiti, there has never been a more vital time for us to share our truth and to stand up as the Body of Christ, shining the light of hope in our corner of the world.
In the past, we in Haiti, have seen the frequent cycle of disaster and relief as if it were the script of a theatrical tragedy. Haitian churches and leaders have often seen othersânot themselvesâas the protagonists, which means they have often settled into more passive roles, stepping back and making way for others to bring aid from abroad. In doing so, our churchesâ leaders have (knowingly or unknowingly) excused themselves from the Great Commissionâto share the gospel and to live as Jesus lived, in service to others and with unconditional love for all. World Relief has been actively working for years to transform this mindset, and when Hurricane Matthew hit, we began to see a new level of change take place.
Things have been very different this time. The voice of the narrator has changed; now a Haitian voice is expressing a renewed understanding of the importance of local solidarity. In this context, the church has stepped into its rightful role, fulfilling its calling to care for and shepherd the most vulnerable, in a way that is much different from what I remember witnessing after the 2010 earthquake. From the moment that Hurricane Matthew passed, churches all over the country began taking up collections, and continued to do so for many weeks. I personally took part in a meeting with over 200 Haitian church leaders, who agreed to pool their next Sunday offering together to make a more tangible impact. I am witnessing ordinary people stepping out in faith to do extraordinary things.
World Relief’s ongoing partnerships with churches in Port-au-Prince, helping leaders and churches build capacity to meet the needs of their own communities (core to World Reliefâs Church Empowerment Zone model), helped us support a church-centered response to the hurricane, unlike anything we have done in the past. By collaborating with more than 150 Haitian churches, we have been able to mobilize a powerful and collective response.
Dozens of volunteers from our partner churches in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere, sacrificed days and hours to organize locally procured resources, to bring help to the regions where the suffering was greatest. Because of established pastor networks in the lower regions of Pichon and Mapou, we learned about the needs of the people âbehind the mountain.â Churches from the capital organized and sent teams to help communities with clean up and rebuilding. Other churches purchased medicine with their own resources and sent doctors and nurses from their own congregations to care for the sick. Even in the hardest hit areas, churches are actually working together to take care of the needs of their entire community, not just their own congregations. Haitian believers are stepping up to bear the greater part of the weight of compassion for their neighbors who are in need. And the truly vulnerable are being sought out. The blind, disabled, elderly, and extremely poor; the least, the last, and the lost among them.
As we continue to engage the church in each region, our hope is that if (God forbid) another disaster were to occur in the same region in the future, these leaders would immediately look to each other, mobilizing more quickly to respond to the needs of the community.
I believe that the Church is central to Godâs plan for changing the future of vulnerable people. But for this to become a reality, we, the global Church, must focus on building the capacity of our churches and their leaders, not just fixing short-term problems. Since Hurricane Matthew, we have joined together to face our growing challenges with courage, strength, and unity in Christâbecause when changemakers partner together, we can transform the world.
World Reliefâs Ongoing Support and Commitment to Refugees and Immigrants
STATEMENT
December 2, 2016
World Reliefâs Ongoing Support and Commitment to Refugees and Immigrants
World Relief has worked for decades with the evangelical community to welcome refugees as an expression of our faith. We look forward to working with the incoming administration to express that broad church support for diverse refugees coming into our country, as well as the robust public private partnership that is the cornerstone of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. We also look forward to helping all Americans understand the actual facts amid some popular misinformation, because the United States should be justifiably proud of its long history of bipartisan leadership, compassion and robust processes when it comes to the refugee resettlement program.
Earlier this week, we were saddened by the attacks at Ohio State University. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those directly affected, their loved ones, the staff and the community of Ohio State University. But we also do not believe the reprehensible actions of an alleged terrorist in Ohio are reflective of the countless thousands who have fled their countries precisely because of that kind of terrorism.
World Relief remains committed to our theological and patriotic commitment to ensure that no immigrant feels unloved, unwelcome, or insecure. We are committed to telling the stories of millions of innocent men, women and children who have been forced to leave the homes they love because of a conflict they did not choose. We are so pleased to work with Christian churches and other organizations nationwide to serve those, who find in the United States, hope, safety and an opportunity for the future.
We understand the need to continue to communicate about the facts about how refugees are accepted, screened and served through the United States Refugee Resettlement programs. And we are heartened at the tremendous support churches have expressed to welcome refugees and look forward to empowering more churches in the months ahead.
World Relief Statement on the Incident at Ohio State University
STATEMENT
November 28, 2016
World Relief Statement on the Incident at Ohio State University
Our hearts and our prayers go out to the families of the victims, as well as the faculty, staff and student body of Ohio State University. We at World Relief join with millions of others around the country in prayer for those injured, in support of those who protect us and in compassion for those around the world who know this type of terror all too well and all too frequently. We also remember that the incomprehensible actions of one individual must never be used to implicate an entire community.
A Unique Moment for the Church
Since the presidential election in the United States on Tuesday, weâve received many questions from church leaders and other concerned friends regarding the path ahead for World Reliefâs work with refugees and immigrants. While this aspect of our work is only one part of our larger global mission to empower the local church to stand with the vulnerableâincluding our aid and development work in communities throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle Eastâwe believe that this is a unique moment for the Church.
Tuesdayâs election concluded a presidential campaign season that was uniquely divisive. That division is being felt within the U.S. Church as well. Despite differing on political issues, however, what can and needs to unite followers of Jesus is our commitment to living out His commands and the teachings of Scripture. While we respect and collaborate with governmental authorities, our ultimate trust is in God, who âwatches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widowâ (Psalm 146:9 NIV). Throughout the Old and New Testaments, followers of God are repeatedly called to âdo what is just and right; rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor, [to not] exploit or mistreat the refugee, the orphan, and the widowâ (Jeremiah 22:3 CEB).
The Church is called to âpractice hospitalityâ (Romans 12:13 NIV)âliterally, to practice loving strangersâmindful that Jesus Himself was once a child refugee, forced to flee from a tyrannical genocide. Whenever we welcome one of âthe least of theseâ in Jesusâ name, we welcome Him (Matthew 25:40).
Thatâs whyâeven as we anticipate the impending Presidential transition in the U.S.âWorld Reliefâs mission remains to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable, including the displaced and the persecuted.
As has been the case for decades, today teams of World Relief staff and volunteers from local churches in cities, suburbs, and small towns throughout the United States will be gathering beds, sofas, and household items to furnish new apartments for arriving refugees. At airports across the country, our teams will welcome newcomers who are weary from their travel and nervous as they arrive in a country and culture they have never known. Our staff and volunteers will walk alongside these newly arrived refugees, helping them to rebuild their lives.
Many refugees and other immigrants feel uniquely vulnerable right now. We believe that this represents a unique moment for the Church. Today, local churches have the opportunity to demonstrate moral courage by standing with the vulnerable in new and unprecedented waysâoffering a warm welcome, a reassuring smile, practical assistance, and consistent advocacy for more compassionate policy towards carefully vetted refugees and their families.
We deeply value our longstanding relationship with the U.S. State Department, and we look forward to working with the new administration to welcome and resettle refugees, just as we have with the past six presidential administrations. And regardless of the course the new administration sets, World Reliefâs mission remains the sameâto empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable.
President Reagan once called the U.S. âa shining city on a hillâ for those searching for freedom. On one hand, we ought to be proud of our countryâs history as a beacon of refuge for those fleeing persecution, and we pray that the brightest moments of our national history of welcoming refugees and immigrants are still ahead of us.
But we must also remember that when Jesus first spoke of âa city on a hillâ (Matthew 5:14), he was not speaking about the United States. Rather, Jesus was addressing His personal followers, those who would become the earliest Church.
In the face of the greatest global refugee crisis in recorded history, World Reliefâs prayer is that the Churchâthe largest social network on the planetâwill seize this unique moment, letting its light shine like a city upon a hill, so that millions of displaced people around the world will find great love and compassionâboth of which are at the heart of God.
Please donate today to help us seize this unique moment to serve refugees, immigrants, and the vulnerable around the world.
World Relief Renews Commitment to Stand with Refugees and Immigrants
PRESS RELEASE
November 10, 2016
World Relief Renews Commitment to Stand with Refugees and Immigrants
World Relief CEO Tim Breene and President Scott Arbeiter issue the following joint statement:
We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory. Since 1944, World Relief has been pleased to work with Democratic and Republican administrations to advance a humanitarian mandate that is at the heart of the American ideal and at the heart of our theology as a Christian organization. World Relief has partnered with countless civic organizations and religious congregations to help resettle more than 279,000 refugees over the past 37 years. We call upon President-elect Trump to continue to partner with agenciesâincluding World Reliefâwho actively help resettle refugees in the United States.
As governments change in Washington, one thing will not change, and that is World Reliefâs commitment to help âthe least of theseââincluding refugees and immigrants. We look forward to continuing to fulfill our mandate by empowering the local church to serve the most vulnerable.
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Contact: Jenny Yang / jyang@wr.org / 433.527.8363 / Twitter: @JennyYangWR
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World Relief is a global, humanitarian relief and development organization that stands with the vulnerable and partners with local churches to end the cycle of suffering, transform lives and build sustainable communities. With over 70 years of experience, World Relief has 25 offices in the United States that specialize in refugee and immigration services, and works in 20 countries worldwide through disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding.
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