Introducing our new model:
Essential, Equip and Elevate
At Welcome Churches, we want every refugee to be welcomed by a local church. We know that every church is different, and that churches are at different stages in their journey of welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum.
That’s why we’re developing a new way to support churches across our Welcome Network: Essential, Equip and Elevate.
Our new model offers clearer pathways for churches to access the support, training and resources they need, whether they are just beginning to welcome refugees or are ready to develop a more inclusive, intercultural church community.
Three pathways to grow your welcome
Essential: Start your journey
For churches taking their first steps in welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum.
Essential is our free entry-level Welcome Network membership. It helps churches connect with Welcome Churches, discover opportunities to welcome people in their local communities and stay connected with others doing the same.
Essential churches can access:
Registration with the Welcome Network
Network news and updates
Invitations to Connect events and online webinars
Selected free taster training sessions
Whether your church is just starting to explore how to welcome refugees or wants to stay connected with the wider network, Essential is a place to begin.
Equip: Grow your confidence and skills
For churches actively involved in welcoming and supporting refugees.
A warm welcome takes more than good intentions. Churches need the right knowledge, practical skills and ongoing support to build meaningful relationships and respond well to the experiences and needs of people seeking refuge.
Equip builds on everything included in Essential, with additional training and resources to help churches develop their welcome.
Equip churches can access:
Everything included in Essential
Coordinator and Befriender training
Access to the Welcome Churches Resource Hub
Practical resources and ongoing support for refugee ministry
Through Equip, we want to help churches grow in confidence and offer a thoughtful, cross-cultural and trauma-informed welcome.
Elevate: Empower people to flourish
For churches ready to develop the gifts, participation and leadership of Christians from a refugee background.
We believe people from a refugee background have much to contribute to the life of the church and the wider community. Their gifts, experiences, cultures and perspectives can enrich our churches and help us reflect the diversity of God's kingdom more fully.
Elevate will support churches to nurture these gifts and create opportunities for Christians from a refugee background to thrive, serve and grow into leadership.
Elevate churches can access:
Everything included in Equip
Training focused on supporting and developing people from a refugee background
Access to a dedicated Elevate section of the Resource Hub
Support to develop more inclusive church communities where people can participate fully and use their gifts
Our hope is to see churches and Christians from a refugee background growing together, learning from one another and building a shared future.
New and updated training for churches
Alongside the new model, we are reviewing and developing our training to help churches welcome and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
Our training is designed to help churches build practical skills, grow in cultural understanding and respond with care to the experiences of people seeking refuge.
Topics across our training programme include:
Welcome and connection: Understanding the Welcome Network and how churches can offer a practical welcome.
Cross-cultural awareness: Building understanding and relationships across cultures.
Trauma awareness and safeguarding: Developing a safe, sensitive and informed approach to supporting people.
Practical welcome: Training for church coordinators, befrienders and those involved in welcoming people in different settings.
Discipleship and integration: Supporting people from different cultural backgrounds to grow in faith and participate in church life.
We are developing new training modules, with a planned launch in January 2027. We look forward to sharing more details as the training takes shape.
Would you like to hear about our new training?
If you would like to receive updates about the training and its launch, please complete our short form.
Take your next step with Welcome Churches
Wherever your church is on its journey, there is a place for you in the Welcome Network.
Whether you are exploring how to begin, looking for practical training and resources, or seeking to help people from a refugee background flourish and take on new roles in your church, we want to walk alongside you.
Together, we can work towards a future where every refugee is welcomed by a local church.
