1. Migrants ‘The LORD watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked’ (Ps 146:9)

2. A unique perspective
‘…remember that…you who are Gentiles by birth…were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ…for he himself is our peace… He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow- citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household…’ Eph 2

3. Welcomed
‘I stand before you now The greatness of your renown I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you King of heaven, in humility I bow. As your love, in wave after wave Crashes over me, crashes over me For you are for us, you are not against us Champion of heaven You made a way for all to enter in’ (Bethel Music)

4. The current situation
Over 50 million displaced people worldwide, 20 million refugees
85% of these in developing countries
Nearly 1.7 million asylum applications worldwide in 2014
29,000 asylum applications in UK last year (less than 2% of total)
- top 5 countries of origin: Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan
Around 34% successful at first decision, further 22% at appeal
Over 30,000 people currently housed and supported in process
Disbelief leading to detention, deportation, destitution for many

5. Opportunities to serve refugees
Prayer: government policy, health, agencies
Speaking out e.g against current Immigration Bill
Financial support: community projects, winter bus pass scheme/ emergency grants (Refugee Survival Trust)
Volunteering at a local project/ drop-in *
Befriending/orientation (British Red Cross) or training/mentoring (Bridges Programmes)
Fostering unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (GCC)
Volunteering at a night shelter for homeless asylum seekers *
Hosting homeless asylum seekers, perhaps as a group*
* see

6. Owen Fenn Govan and Craigton Integration Network