Stories

What’s Your Next Step?

This holiday season, we are sharing stories of women from this community who have taken a step of biblical welcome. Naomi is a member of the Women of Welcome community. She shared with us how an initial exposure to other cultures prompted her to learn more, which led to her getting involved in serving in her local community. As you listen to Naomi’s story, consider what step God is asking you to take next. Do you need to learn more? (We have resources to help with that). Do you need to take a step to get closer to your New American neighbors? Will

Ethnic Loneliness

Have you ever felt like an outsider in your own home? For many immigrants, refugees, and people of color in America, this isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it’s a constant reality. In her groundbreaking book Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging, Prasanta Verma takes readers on a journey through the often invisible yet deeply felt experiences of ethnic and racial loneliness. If you are someone in the majority culture, it can be challenging to fully grasp the depths of ethnic and racial loneliness. However, as human

What Does Welcome Meet To You: Ektimal’s Story

I first met my friend Ektimal in 2017. She was a single woman from Syria and had just arrived in Canada with her brother. Her whole family was dispersed around the world due to the war that erupted in her beloved home country. As she’s worked to rebuild her life, we’ve had some precious memories together. Weddings, new babies, shared workplaces, and more. I wanted to share snippets of a conversation we had recently! Hi friend! I already shared that your name is Ektimal and you are originally from Syria. You had to leave home because

Leveraging Immigration to Fulfill the Great Commission

Seeing the People Behind Policies It is a good thing to care about politics. In particular, it is a good thing to care about immigration policies. Christians should be well informed about the issue and go to the polls with conviction based on thorough research. Immigration is a complex issue and faithful Christians may come to different conclusions for how to fix our undeniably broken system. But regardless of where we may fall on the political spectrum, we must be careful not to let policies keep us from seeing the people behind them. I have worked for the

A Challenge to the American Church — Will You Respond with Compassion?

Immigration is not just a political issue but a deeply personal and human experience. Beyond the staggering statistics associated with the current influx at our southern border, there are people made in the image of God and deserving of love and care. Each person has a unique story that led them there, and when we listen, we offer dignity and kindness. Is it possible for us as Christians to lead the way in responding with compassion and empathy? Joel and Jamie’s Story Their journey toward adjusting

Catch Up on 2023: Proximity Matters!

As we seek to learn, engage, and grow to be more like Christ in our welcome, we know proximity matters. Getting to know people is the best way to see the value and dignity of each person. And, hearing people’s stories and experiences is a powerful catalyst for fostering understanding, empathy, and compassion. Throughout 2023, we introduced you to women from our community who are making a difference in the lives of immigrants and refugees either because their hearts were moved to compassion or because of their own immigration experience. If you haven’t met these incredible