At the end of the year 2022, 108.4 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or other events that seriously threatened their safety and well-being. Of those, 62.5 million people are internally displaced in their home country, while over 35 million have now become refugees.
Refugees are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of the danger they would face there. They seek refuge in another country or region, often crossing borders and leaving behind their homes, possessions, and sometimes even their families.
Naturally, refugees often experience significant hardships and face numerous challenges, including language barriers, cultural adjustments, separation from family, limited access to basic necessities, and discrimination.
Our Role as Christians and A World Church
As Christians, God has called us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to show compassion to those who are suffering. This includes refugees. In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." This passage emphasizes the importance of extending love and assistance to those in need, including refugees.
Worldwide, the Adventist Church is involved in various initiatives and programs that serve refugees and displaced people. For example, Base Genesis, a Center of Influence in São Paulo, Brazil, has made significant contributions by providing assistance to Syrian refugees. Their programs encompass various aspects such as family support, health services, meeting basic needs, vocational training, entrepreneurship classes, legal immigration advice, language classes, after-school programs for children, and more. In Vienna, Austria, the church collaborates with ADRA to operate a welcome center, offering refugees clothing, cooked meals, and other forms of assistance.
The Church's Role in Addressing Spiritual and Practical Needs
While seeking assistance at a local Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York, a local refugee attended seminars and workshops and received assistance for his basic daily needs. Gradually, he became more engaged with the church community. During a week of prayer dedicated to refugees and the situation back home, he began attending Bible studies and eventually decided to be baptized. As his circumstances improved, he returned to his home country with his newfound faith, which he shared with his family and loved ones. They also began to study the Bible, attend a local Seventh-day Adventist Church, and expressed interest in baptism.
Bledi Leno, director of the Global Missions Urban Center, understands that addressing the spiritual and practical needs of refugees goes hand in hand. Drawing inspiration from Jesus, who Himself experienced life as a refugee while in Egypt, the church aims to alleviate the physical needs of individuals and communities and seeks to introduce God’s love, plans, and teachings to those in need. It aspires to bring wholeness to society and the world while recognizing that God alone can provide true wholeness. The church's role extends beyond humanitarian aid.
When sharing the Gospel with refugees from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, the Church emphasizes respect, understanding, and building bridges of trust. By recognizing and appreciating their unique backgrounds, we can establish connections on common values and principles, while seeking to meet individuals where they are, taking into account their cultural and religious perspectives and gently introducing them to the message of salvation in Jesus.
World Refugee Sabbath
Every year, the World Church sets aside a day to recognize the plight of refugees all around the world. This year, World Refugee Sabbath falls on Sabbath, June 17th. World Refugee Day is set aside to open our hearts to refugees across the world, where we honor and celebrate their resilience while learning, praying, and acting to assist them in their need.1
According to Leno, this special day is “a day we join with other entities and institutions to raise awareness of the reality of refugees around the world…[It’s] an opportunity to help people that are under duress, persecution around the world, and are having to abandon their homes and countries. [It also serves to] raise awareness that the church can do something other than just pray. We can contribute, even run, and start ministries of our own [to help refugees].”
Leno emphasizes that, as individuals and collectively, we can make a real impact in the lives of refugees right where we are. He encourages church members everywhere to begin by:
Praying and asking God to place us in a position to be a blessing to those in need.
Looking around in our town or city and finding organizations that are already helping refugees and partnering with them.
Being interested in helping refugees and being there for them.
Starting our own initiatives.
Donating, Praying, Raising Awareness, or Volunteering our time.
Looking ahead, Bledi Leno expresses the hope that church members everywhere will become more proactive, with each Adventist actively participating as an advocate for refugees. His vision is for members all around the world to be a voice for the voiceless and actively engage in local communities by donating, volunteering, and partnering with other helpful organizations in helping refugees and the displaced. By fostering a revolution of compassion, the Church aims to make a significant impact on the lives of refugees and extend God's love and support to those in need.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church's commitment to reaching refugees is an embodiment of its mission to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Through a range of initiatives and programs, we can build relationships of trust, introduce the Gospel, and help refugees regain their sense of wholeness.
"Every act of mercy and benevolence done to the suffering and the friendless is accepted by Christ as done to Himself." (Review and Herald, July 21, 1896)
Click here to learn more about World Refugee Sabbath. To learn more about Adventist Global Mission Centers, go to: https://gm.adventistmission.org/global-mission-initiative.
1 https://adra.org/worldrefugeesabbath