Refugee & Immigration Ministries

The Story

It is a familiar biblical refugee story ...

A young couple and their newborn baby - fearing the "ethnic cleansing" happening around them - flee for their lives. Today the flight of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus into Egypt is reenacted by millions of people around the world. Modern-day refugees are being pushed to the margins of life - driven out of their homes and communities by armed conflict, gross violations of human rights, and fear of persecution. They risk desert heat, brave stormy seas, and endure the squalor of refugee camps-hoping for a better future.

It is a familiar denominational immigration story ...

A family is separated from each other while the father - seeking freedom of religion and the opportunity for a new start in life - sails to the new world. Today the immigration of Thomas Campbell - and later his son Alexander - (as well as other founders of our denomination) is reenacted by millions of people around the world. Modern-day immigrants are being pushed to the margins of life - driven out of their homes and communities by severe economic repression, restrictions on personal and religious expression, and the lack of economic opportunity. They risk dangerous border crossings, wait years for processing of immigration applications, or overstay temporary visas - hoping for a better future.

The Call

The One, who called all people on earth into being, calls upon us to make the welcome of strangers central to our faith:

"The Alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:34 NRSV).

Jesus, who had nowhere to lay his head, also calls upon us to make the welcome of strangers central to our faith:

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40 NRSV)

Our Response

Since 1949, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have resettled more than 34,000 refugees and assisted countless persons with immigration problems. You and your congregation are invited to become a part of that ministry. Refugee and Immigration Ministries can enable your congregation to: 

• Participate in the global mission of the church.
• Do hands-on mission work.
• Become educated on refugee and immigration issues.
• Resettle refugees in your community.
• Respond to the needs of refugees around the world.
• Respond to persons in your community with immigration problems.
• Support the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries.
• Support Humane Borders. 
• Speak out against anti-immigrant attitudes.
• Advocate for the rights of refugees and immigrants.