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Matthew 8:20 Initiative A Christian Response to the Refugee Crisis Volume 3
Matthew 8:20 Initiative
A Christian Response to the
Refugee Crisis
Volume 3
1
Foreword
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no
place to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20
Under both international and U.S. law, a refugee is an individual who:
• Has fled his or her country of origin . . .
• Because of a credible fear of persecution . . .
• On account of race, religion, political opinion, national origin, or
social group
In order to be considered a refugee under these laws, these individuals must
be able to prove that they meet each one of these criteria.
Welcome to the third and final installment of the Matthew 8:20 Initiative. Since
we began this initiative in May 2016, the refugee crisis continues to be a major
global issue and a cause of controversy. Nevertheless, we are committed to a
compassionate response to this crisis and to those most affected by it, including
many of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
HWCs response included $2930 in first installment of collection jars. The funds
were divided equally between Wesleyan Refugee Funds (Europe) and World
Relief (Middle East). Remaining funds in this effort will go to these same
organizations.
We support of the statement of Christian leaders from around the country at the
December 2015 GC2 Summit, which affirms:
Refugees possess the image of God and, as such, are infinitely valuable
to God and to us.
We are commanded to love our neighbor, and it is our privilege to love
refugees.
As Christians, we must care sacrificially for the refugee, the foreigner,
and the stranger.
We will motivate and prepare our churches and movements to care for
refugees.
We will not be motivated by fear but by love for God and others.
Christians are called to grace-filled and humble speech about this issue.
2
In the mid-1990’s and beyond, the WWJD? craze swept the church with bracelets
and all sorts of merchandise to remind believers to ask themselves in any given
situation, “What Would Jesus Do?” Like most fads, it quickly became hackneyed
and died out. But I would like to encourage everyone participating in this
initiative to look at the refugee crisis and honestly ask the question: “What would
Jesus do for these individuals?”
The Matthew 8:20 Initiative is so named because Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior, was a refugee. When Jesus was an infant, his family had to flee to Egypt
to escape being killed in Herod’s slaughter of the innocents (Matthew 2:13-18).
Throughout his adult life, Jesus was an itinerant teacher, someone without a place
to lay his head (Matthew 8:20), and was constantly being persecuted by the
Jewish religious leaders. Jesus taught that the measure of one’s faith was his/her
willingness to provide for the “least of these” – the hungry, the naked, the sick,
the oppressed. Being one of the least of these is part and parcel of being a refugee
seeking to begin a new life. Yet we have faith that God will use our gifts and hear
our prayers to make a difference in this crisis.
In this third volume of the initiative, we will rely on the book of Psalms for the
devotional thoughts. Psalms is a songbook filled not only with praise and
thanksgiving to God, but also with laments and cries for help. May we pray the
prayers of these Psalms on behalf of refugees, internally displaced people, and
those who are still living in areas of violence. May we cry out on their behalf.
I would like to personally thank Houghton Wesleyan Church for the opportunity
to help with this initiative. A recent study conducted by LifeWay found that
while 90% of Protestant pastors believe that Christians should help refugees, only
8% of churches in the United States are taking any actions to help refugees. I am
thankful that Houghton Wesleyan Church can count itself among that 8%.
Special thanks to everyone who has participated in this initiative. Though this is
the final installment – at least for now – I encourage you to continue to find ways
that you can Pray, Learn, and Give to support refugees.
Pax et Bonum,
Alex G. Wright
3
Introduction
The format of this third volume remains the same as the first two volumes. We
believe that as followers of Jesus Christ we are called to take responsive action to
the refugee crisis. The purpose of the Matthew 8:20 Initiative is to guide
individuals and families in responding to the refugee crisis in three very
important ways:
1) Pray—each weekly guide includes a Scripture passage, brief reflection,
and prayer needs related to the refugee crisis.
2) Learn & Share—each weekly guide also includes some brief information
about the refugee crisis which allows us to gain greater understanding
and share these insights with others.
3) Give—the giving goal for each individual or family unit is $1 per week.
This giving must not be done mindlessly, but must always be combined
with the prayer, reflection, and learning steps.
This booklet lays out the suggested practice, though it may vary for each
individual and family. Each individual or family is encouraged to set aside a
specific time each week to focus on this initiative. The Scripture passage and
reflections are intended to be read and reflected upon and/or discussed. This is
followed with prayer for the need listed and any other things which the Spirit
brings to mind. In addition, ask God’s blessing upon the dollar being given that it
may be used to respond to the needs of those who are suffering. Finally, at the
conclusion of this booklet, we will gather together as a community to dedicate all
the funds given and have a special focus on the refugee crisis. Note: if you are
using this booklet with children, feel free to adapt the readings to age-appropriate
words and ideas. The primary purpose is to engage in awareness and sensitivity
to the needs of refugees and to God’s compassion for them.
The purpose of this initiative is not only to raise money to help refugees – though
that is certainly important. The purpose is to consistently and continually lift
these suffering individuals up in prayer, to guide our hearts in responding to this
crisis, and to advocate on behalf of innocent people who are in desperate need of
help. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in different ways,
please consult the list of organizations on the back of this booklet. May we enter
into this practice with humble and open hearts and may the Lord use our small
efforts for His glory.
4
Week of December 4, 2016
Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
and the flood sweeps over me.
I am weary with my crying out;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God.
More in number than the hairs of my head
are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
those who attack me with lies.
Psalm 69:1-4
September 2, 2015 – the sickening image of three-year old Alan Kurdi, a refugee
child who had drowned during his family’s attempt to escape from the danger in
their home country, spread across the internet. This is a solemn reminder that the
refugee crisis does not consist of nameless, faceless “others,” but of real people,
many of whom are children, who face the very real threat of death on a daily
basis. It is also a reminder that ending the crisis will take more than resettling all
those who have fled; ending the crisis must mean an end to the violence and
oppression which is producing refugees.
The Psalm above poignantly illustrates the experiences of refugees: drowning,
crying out, feeling hopeless. On top of that, there are so many who hate and
oppose refugees without cause, even if they are able to escape to a safe land, they
often meet more opposition there. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, we lift up Your people who have suffered the devastating losses
of homes, friends, and family. We lift up the families who, like Alan Kurdi’s
family, have experienced the death of loved ones while fleeing from danger.
Please bring peace and comfort and please bring the promise new life. Bring
people into the lives of those who have fled to help them begin this new life. We
pray these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
5
Week of December 11, 2016
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
Psalm 22:16-21
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi recently stated, “More
people are being displaced by war and persecution and that’s worrying in itself,
but the factors that endanger refugees are multiplying too. At sea, a frightening
number of refugees and migrants are dying each year; on land, people fleeing war
are finding their way blocked by closed borders.”
In this Psalm, the Psalmist describes the myriad dangers which he is facing: dogs,
evildoers, starvation, theft, the sword, and lions. Refugees face the same
situation. In August, five year-old Omran Daqneesh sat in the back of an
ambulance in the aftermath of a bombing in Aleppo, Syria and a picture of this
incident went viral. His ten year-old brother, Ali, was killed in the attack. This
incident was juxtaposed with the Alan Kurdi tragedy to illustrate that dangers
await whether individuals choose to stay or flee. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, we pray for those refugees who seem to have no hope of
escape, for those who are faced with the equally frightening options of staying in
a conflict zone or fleeing on a perilous journey. Like the Psalmist who faced
swords, dogs, and lions, these individuals face dangers regardless of which
decision they make. Almighty God, we pray that You would deliver them from all
danger. Above all else, we pray for peace so that no one else will have to face
these many dangers. Please take this small gift and use it to these ends. We pray
these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
6
Week of December 18, 2016
For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
like one set loose among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand.
Psalm 88:3-5
The ESV Study Bible offers the following note regarding Psalm 88: “This is an
individual lament. It is suited for a person who is so overwhelmed with troubles
that even his friends shun him, and who suspects that the Lord has shunned him
as well.” This type of lament emerges out of a complete and total lack of hope
that these troubles will ever cease.
The war in Syria has been going on for five and half years and other areas of the
world have had similar protracted conflicts, uprisings, and genocides. How long
can someone live under the constant threat of danger, unsure of what the next day
will bring, before they get to the point where they completely lose hope? The
average length of time between when a refugee first flees his/her country and
finds a durable solution is 17 years. Victor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning,
his account of surviving the Nazi death camps, quotes Nietzsche: “He who has a
‘Why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘How?’” Yet even those individuals
undoubtedly have times when they could legitimately echo the words of the
Psalmist from Psalm 88. And there are surely many more who view each as day
as hopeless. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, we pray against the spirit of defeat and hopelessness. We pray
that You would encourage the hearts of those who have experienced so many
troubles for such an extensive period of time. We pray that You would bring
sources of hope into their lives, that all those who are struggling because of this
crisis would see that You are the eternal source of hope. We dedicate this small
gift to Your service and ask that You would use it to give the gift of hope to those
whose lives may seem hopeless. We pray these things in the name of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
7
Week of December 25, 2016
Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
Psalm 55:1-3
What do you do when even the local authorities don’t treat refugees well?
Sasha Flek pastors TaCesta Church in Prague, where over the last several years
there has been an influx of refugees. As thousands were passing through hoping
to reach Germany, the general response in was not welcoming. Hundreds of
refugees caught traveling through their nation were intercepted and involuntarily
detained for months in camps under less than ideal conditions and charged $10 a
day the months they were there.
In spite of widespread anti-refugee sentiments, there’s been a grassroots
movement to support the migrants. Volunteers wait at train stations to help
travelers with food and water. But helping those in the detainment camps was not
allowed until through prayer and persistence Pastor Flek and two other
evangelical pastors found a way. “We’ve been there three times now in small
teams. We try to talk to the refugees, encourage them, tell them they are going to
be released.” They bring donated items for children and clothing essentials for
those arriving with only the clothes on their backs.
Why do Pastor Flek and his people do this? Simple: “Jesus was a refugee as a
child in Egypt. We can’t just watch it happening… We need to do something
before it’s too late.” Flek is determined to be a voice for justice, remembering the
consequences of past silence in 1930’s Germany and elsewhere.
—Team Mission Report
Heavenly Father, thank you for people like Pastor Flek and others who sacrifice
personal comfort to help refugees in need. May their loving action be a source of
hope to people in need and a motivation for leaders to encourage more
assistance in Your name. Amen.
8
Week of January 1, 2017
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:1-4
This is a cry for justice for the marginalized who have been oppressed. As we
have written in previous volumes of this initiative, according to World Relief,
70% of the refugees admitted to the United States have been women or children
under fourteen years of age. These are individuals in need of justice. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. once said, “True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a
beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs
restructuring.”
We can put this in the context of the current refugee crisis. The Dept. of State
pointed out that the US is the largest single donor in the Syrian crisis response.
Nevertheless, while we are indeed called to use our resources to help refugees—
which is why giving is a part of this initiative—money is not the ultimate
solution. We desire not only to see all refugees resettled in a safe environment,
we also pray, work, and advocate for an end to a system which produces
refugees. We have seen the suffering of the people who have been afflicted and
become destitute because of the wars and conflicts. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, we cry out for justice on behalf of these refugees who have
been forced from their homes. We pray that You would rescue them and deliver
them from wicked hands which persecute them all along their journey. Almighty
God, we ask that You would bring an end to the wars and conflicts, particularly
in Syria, that continue to force people to flee for their lives. We pray for peace
and restoration. And we pray that You would take this small gift and multiply its
impact to help deliver those in need. We pray these things in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
9
Week of January 8, 2017
Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”
Psalm 70:1-3
This Psalm is an urgent prayer for deliverance from one’s enemies. The enemies
in this case are not just seeking to overtake the Psalmist, but are eagerly seeking
to hurt and humiliate him. Those who say “Aha, Aha!” are those who take real
pleasure in causing pain, those who proudly brag about their status of being the
enemy of the Psalmist. It is on these individuals that the Psalmist is begging for
God to bring shame and dishonor.
In a previous week, we pointed out that refugees face many different dangers.
They also face numerous individuals who have set their minds against assisting
refugees and asylum seekers, instead allowing them to be confined to less than
desirable living conditions in refugee settlements in cities and in refugee camps.
Many of those who have set themselves against helping refugees have proudly
proclaimed this stance. Perhaps it does not seem very Christian to pray for
enemies to be shamed and dishonored, but we are asking for the justice of the
Lord to thwart the plans of those who are persecuting these individuals. We pray
against these enemies for the protection of the oppressed. We cry out on their
behalf.
Heavenly Father, we echo the prayer of the Psalmist and pray on behalf of
refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people that You would deliver
them from any who seek to hurt and humiliate them. We pray that You would
make haste and turn back any enemies who have set themselves against these
oppressed and marginalized individuals. Please show us ways in which we can
ally ourselves with these people rather than with their enemies. We dedicate this
small gift to the cause of justice for all of these individuals. We pray these things
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
10
Week of January 15, 2017
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
Psalm 67:1-4
Jaclyn Algier, whom HWC is supporting in a year of volunteer mission, has
spent recent weeks in Lebanon, teaching Syrian children from nearby refugee
camps. Here’s a glimpse of from her experience:
“I work at a camp school where there is a whiteboard, pencils, markers, and
colored pencils all donated by sponsors around the world. The students come out
of a refugee camp on the other side of the fence. I am seeing results in these
students after only 3 weeks of working with them. The needs are great. Some
cannot see the board or trace correctly, and squint to see their paper because they
need glasses. They have such a desire to learn, acknowledging what a privilege it
is for them. I see the passion in their eyes, and eagerness to come the next day.
They have such hope for a better future.”
“They come with their only clothes on their backs. Some own one sweater but
live out in tents where they will face 20 degree or less weather in the winter. I’m
here to show the love of the Father first and foremost, but I receive as much as I
give. Some days my bucket is overflowing with the amount of love I receive
from these kids in the form of hugs, kisses, and papers with hearts drawn on
them. I have seen Lebanon under His lens and I am very grateful for that because
in the beginning I was scared of the opinions people had.”
—Jaclyn Algier prayer letter.
Heavenly Father, we pray for refugee children who are at risk and are losing
valuable years of education. Protect the children from harm. Provide a safe
environment. Despite the struggles they face, help the children, who you invite to
gather around you, to know that you love them and want them. Through Jesus
Christ. Amen
11
Week of January 22, 2017
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil.
Psalm 59:1-5
This is a Psalm of David which was written in connection with an incident in
which Saul sent men to kill David. David is crying out to God for deliverance
and expressing the fact that David did not bring this upon himself. This
individual lament is particularly applicable to those who are facing attacks and
aggressions through no fault of their own.
Once again, we see the parallels between the Psalmist and the refugee. In spite of
the arguments and rhetoric that portray refugees as being extremely dangerous,
we must keep the truth at the forefront of our minds. The fact is, the vast majority
of refugees have done nothing to deserve forced displacement and yet the face
dangers no matter where they turn. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, once again we bring the sufferings of the vast number of
refugees before You. Most of them are victims of evil, oppression, and
marginalization which they had no part in bringing upon themselves. Like David
seeking to escape Saul’s men, we pray that You would deliver those who are
being oppressed, whether they have left their homes or remain in areas of
conflict. Above all, we pray for an end to the violence and persecution which
continues to cause death and destruction. Please take this small gift which we
offer and use it to these ends. We pray these things in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
12
Week of January 29, 2017
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!
Psalm 61:1-4
This Psalm provides images of strength and protection. The high rock allows
individuals to escape the fray. The strong tower protects against the onslaught of
enemies. The wings of a bird hide her babies from the attacks of predators.
There is also a parallel here for those whose hearts have been moved to help in
this time of crisis: there may be times that our hearts grow faint when we
consider the magnitude of the refugee crisis. In our world today, one out of every
113 people has been forcibly displaced from their homes. Yet we must not lose
heart; we must continue to cry out to God to be the refuge that these individuals
need. Let us not give up praying or advocating for refugees, asylum seekers,
internally displaced people, and those who are still living in areas of conflict. We
cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, we cannot even fathom the extent of the problems which have
caused 60 million people in our world to flee their homes. But we continue to
pray with the faith and the hope that You will indeed be their strong tower and
their refuge. Please give them hope that their hearts may not be faint, and please
give us faith and courage to continue to serve in any ways we can. Please take
this small monetary gift which, though it seems insignificant in light of the scope
of this problem, we know You will use to accomplish great things. We continue to
pray for an end to the violence so that no more will be forced from their homes.
We pray these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
13
Week of February 5, 2017
My life is an example to many,
Because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.
Psalm 71:7-8
Dave and Dina Horne are Global Partner Mission Directors in Austria. They
encounter many refugees fleeing war and persecution. There is plenty of
discrimination and hardship as they search for asylum and a peaceful new life.
One evening as frequently happens, two refugee friends shared a meal at Dave
and Dina’s apartment. Both men, Hajir and Ali (*names changed), grew up in
Muslim families, but were now following Jesus because of the kindness of
Christians they encountered upon arrival in Europe. Dina states, “It has been
beautiful to see European Christians reach out with love and help to newcomers.
Many churches are experiencing revitalization by the new believers from Muslim
backgrounds who have joined their fellowships. God is using the church to
display His love and grace to Muslims who are now next-door neighbors.”
After the mealtime fellowship, Ali, who was blind, wanted to take a picture of
the Horne’s apartment so he could record all the places he visits in hopes of one
day being able to see. Ali was acting on his hope for a future.
Dina encourages Christians to act in hope for what God can do. “I urge you to get
to know an immigrant in your community. Immigrants are people. Don’t
underestimate the power of hospitality and friendship. Such relationships will
erase the generalizations thrown around, and just may inspire you to hope.”
—From “A Lesson in Hope from My Refugee Guests,” Dina Horne
Heavenly Father, forgive us for seeing refugees as anything other than human
beings you love. Open our eyes to the needs of refugees. Break down walls that
divide and prejudice that judges. Instead, fill us with the Spirit of Christ that we
might bear witness to the saving grace of Christ. In his name, we pray. Amen.
14
Week of February 12, 2017
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:1-4
This Psalm differs from the others we have considered in that it is not a Psalm of
Lament, but rather a Psalm commemorating God’s past victories on behalf of the
Psalmist. This is a Psalm of victory. Why do we include it here in the midst of a
crisis which is still raging and seemingly getting worse? Whereas it is true that
there is still astronomical need as a result of this crisis, let us not forget the
individuals whom God has already “set upon a rock.”
There are many encouraging stories of individuals who have come through the
destruction. We have recounted these types of stories throughout these volumes
of the Matthew 8:20 Initiative, and we praise God for the work He has done in
the lives of these individuals. Those who have been delivered can be a source of
hope to those who remain in critical situations. May God’s deliverance be a
source of hope and encouragement for us as well. Though we mourn the lives
which have been lost and continue to pray for those who are still in danger, we
are thankful for those whom God has guided through. We cry out on their behalf.
Heavenly Father, though we know there is much work left to be done and many
still in need, we want to praise You for all those whom You have already helped
in this crisis. Thank You for the positive and encouraging stories of refugees
whom You have delivered. Please continue to work in this crisis and show us
ways which we can be a part of creating more encouraging stories. Please take
this gift and multiply its impact in order to set more individuals upon a rock and
out of harm’s way. We pray these things in the name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
15
Week of February 19, 2017
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalm 46:1-3
We conclude the Matthew 8:20 Initiative with a passage that was used in the first
volume of the initiative. For refugees and displaced people, the earth has given
way beneath their feet; the land in which they had lived has become unstable and
dangerous. According to the United States Department of State, over the past five
years, an average of fifty Syrian families have been forced from their homes
every hour—that is 1,200 families per day, 438,000 families per year. And let us
not forget that those individuals who survive to become refugees are, in many
ways, the fortunate ones. Many are killed in the violence and many more in the
treacherous journey in search of refuge. In the face of such overwhelming
suffering, it is often difficult to feel as though there is any possible way to make a
difference, any possible way to stop the earth from giving way and the mountains
falling into the sea.
The Hebrew word translated “refuge” in the passage above—machaceh—literally
means “refuge/shelter from danger,” but it also means “hope.” This is a refuge
that not only allows one to survive the storm, to be protected from danger, but is
also a reminder of the hope that the storm and the danger will someday come to
an end. Though the refugee crisis has been long-lasting, we – along with all those
who have been displaced – look forward with hope to the day that this crisis will
come to an end. We look forward with hope to the day when no more refugees
are produced. For all of this, we cry out to God!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the opportunity we have had to be a part of this
initiative to respond to the refugee crisis. We know that our contribution is small,
but we trust that You will use it to do great things. We pray that You would do
what only You can do: end the violence in the war torn regions, end the
oppression which forces families to leave their homes. We pray these things in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
16
U.S. Refugee Screening Process
The process of screening and resettling refugees in the United States is
complicated and often misunderstood. Here is an outline of the process provided
by World Relief, an organization which provides refugee resettlement and
placement services.
1. Refugee Status -- The UN Commissioner for Refugees determines if the
individual qualifies as a refugee
2. Referral to the United States – A refugee is referred to the United
States for resettlement by the UN, US Embassy, or NGO.
3. Security Clearance Process – A number of security checks are run by
law enforcement and intelligence agencies
4. In-Person Interview – A US Homeland Security officer conducts a
detailed face-to-face interview with all refugees
5. DHS Approval – If the Department of Homeland Security officer finds
the individual meets the US admissions criteria, the application is
conditionally approved for resettlement.
6. Medical Screening – The refugee who has been conditionally approved
is given a thorough medical screening.
7. Matching with a Sponsor Agency – Every refugee is assigned a US
partner agency (i.e. World Relief) that will assist them upon arrival to the
US.
8. Cultural Orientation – Refugees approved for resettlement are offered
cultural orientation while waiting for final processing.
9. 2nd Security Clearance Process – Prior to departure to the US, a second
inter-agency security check is conducted to check for any new
information.
10. Airport Check – Refugees are checked again at the airport to ensure the
arriving refugee is the same person who was screened and approved for
admission.
11. Admission to the United States – Upon arrival to the United States,
refugees are met by their partner agency representative.
The average duration of processing time before a refugee enters the US is
between 18 months and 3 years.
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Organizations Responding to the Refugee Crisis
Journey’s End – http://www.jersbuffalo.org – A refugee services center
in Buffalo, NY. This organizations has volunteer opportunities for close-
to-home interaction with refugees.
National Association of Evangelicals – http://www.nae.org
Pray for Refugees – http://www.prayforrefugees.org – Originally a 47
day series of prayers for the season of Lent, but the needs expressed
continue to be necessary to remember in prayer.
Refugee Highway – http://www.refugeehighway.net
We Welcome Refugees – http://www.wewelcomerefugees.com – a
partnership between a number of organizations which have banded
together to respond to the refugee crisis.
World Relief – http://www.worldrelief.org – the only evangelical
organization approved for Refugee Resettlement in the US.
**World Relief has started a program called “Unlock Hope” through
which individuals contribute $15/month to support refugees. If you feel as
though God is calling you to go beyond this initiative, visit
http://www.worldrelief.org/unlockhope
World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org
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Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and
birds have nests, but the Son of Man
has no place to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20
Cover Photo: Jaclyn Algier with refugee children in Lebanon, Fall 2016.
