Jenny was searching for something. Not answers, exactly, but affirmation. Like many women in the Women of Welcome community, she had a sense that God’s heart was for the vulnerable, but she longed for biblical resources that would steady her convictions. That search brought her to a the Women of Welcome Instagram account.
“I believe I was searching for biblical resources on immigrants and refugees and I came across the Women of Welcome Instagram,” Jenny shared. “From there I checked out the website and downloaded the studies.”
What began as curiosity turned into community. And what started as a personal study became a source of fire and focus in her life.
Studying Scripture in Good Company
Jenny dove into the first study, What Does the Bible Say About Immigration?, not alone, but with a small virtual group of women she leads every Monday night. “We are about to start the second one—Far from Home,” she shared.
Reading Scripture through this lens wasn’t unfamiliar to her, but it was deeply encouraging.
“In many ways this was not new to me,” she said. “But I had grown discouraged in my views or had been gaslit into reading these passages differently by people who were making an idol of politics over the word and mission of God.”
Jenny’s experience is one many in the Women of Welcome community can relate to: feeling isolated in a biblical conviction, and unsure if others see what you see in the text. But the study confirmed what her heart had always known, that welcome isn’t a fringe idea in Scripture; it’s part of the framework.
“I was especially encouraged by the ‘surprising’ passages,” she shared, “like the prodigal son or the passages in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Truly the message of welcome is woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture.”
Seeing with New Eyes
One conversation in particular left a mark: a discussion around the “sheep and goats” passage in Matthew 25. “The focus on sins of omission was poignant,” Jenny said. “It helped remind each of us to focus on areas where we have been missing opportunities to show the love of Christ.”
That shift from head knowledge to heart transformation is exactly what Women of Welcome studies are designed to nurture. They’re not just for theological insight; they’re a call to action. And for Jenny, the impact was tangible.
“This has helped me understand in a whole new way that this commission has been given to the people of God from the beginning,” she said.
A Flame Rekindled
In her everyday life, that meant stepping out of her comfort zone in radical, relational ways.
Jenny lives in graduate student housing, where her husband serves as a community director. “There are over 60 countries represented in this community,” she said. “This study has renewed Jenny didn’t need convincing that welcoming the stranger was part of God’s plan. But the study gave her something even more powerful, confidence to keep going.
“Most poignantly, this study has helped encourage me to keep up the good work and that I am not misinterpreting passages of Scripture as some may argue,” she said. “It has helped me see that this is the right way to do things and to keep going even if others push back for deeply engrained political and traditional reasons.”
In her everyday life, that meant stepping out of her comfort zone in bold, relational ways. That welcome has looked like gospel conversations, long walks, and playground meetups. “This study has been keeping that fire lit in me,” she added.
It didn’t stop at conversations and community. Jenny completed the orientation at her local branch of World Relief and hopes to begin official volunteer work soon.
That movement from Bible to belief to bold action, is what Women of Welcome is all about. Our studies are designed to stir hearts, not just teach minds. They give language to convictions many women already carry and offer a scriptural foundation for stepping out in faith.
For the Woman Who’s Hesitant
When asked what she’d say to someone who is hesitant or unsure about diving into one of these studies, Jenny didn’t hesitate:
“The word of God is powerful. It transcends trends, opinions, and politics. It is living. It applies today as much as it did when it was written. You will NEVER regret studying what God’s word has to say about a topic.”
And her encouragement didn’t stop there.
“Don’t be afraid to let the Word transform your mind and your actions. The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will, and His will is revealed through His Word. Any friends or reputation lost because of standing on the Word of God will be replaced tenfold in this life or the next.”
Want to See What Scripture Really Says?
Jenny’s story is one of many, but her journey reflects a deeper truth: God’s Word is clear, compelling, and constantly calling us into a bigger story of compassion and welcome. That story is woven all throughout the fabric of Scripture, and just waiting to be lived out.
Ready to dive into God’s heart for the stranger?
Explore our free Bible study library and start your own journey of life-changing welcome today. Whether it’s just you and a journal or a whole group of women, we’ve got the resources to walk with you.
Download a free study now.
P.S. Want to join Jenny and her small group study?
They meet on Monday nights at 8 pm EST and would love for you to join them! Connect with Jenny on IG or email and dive in!
This resource answers the most common questions Christians have about immigration and equips you to engage conversations with biblical clarity, truth, and grace.