“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing”
Isaiah 35:1-2
Date: 8-9 March 2024 (Fri-Sat)
Venue: Bedford
Churches are enriched when we welcome followers of Jesus from refugee backgrounds, coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ and displaying the Kingdom of God as shown through our many different cultures and spiritual journeys.
Join Christians to praise God in spirit and in truth, form new friendships, and be equipped to continue to welcome people arriving in the UK.
The challenges refugees and people seeking asylum face on their journeys to the UK continue as they build new lives here: facing social isolation, grappling with a new cultural context, and even experiencing difficulties in becoming fully integrated into church communities. As the church, we play a vital role in carving out a highway, in providing a warm welcome, and in offering practical support, community, and genuine friendship.
People from a refugee background carry inspiring stories of faith and courage which strengthen and challenge the UK church as we gather together. Refugees are truly playing a unique and growing role in reviving established church communities across the UK.
The Welcome Conference 2024 will bring together Christians from all backgrounds who are followers of Jesus to worship, and to listen and learn about the achievements and complexities of welcoming and strengthening people seeking refuge and of being the Church together, to the glory and splendour of God.
Hosted by Welcome Churches.
Who is the Welcome Conference for?
Church leaders and volunteers who are committed to helping refugees and people seeking asylum, Welcome Network churches, Welcome Plus churches, churches who are at the beginning of learning how to support refugees, as well as those who have many years of experience.
Refugees and people seeking asylum who are followers of Jesus. We offer free tickets and free accommodation.
The Welcome Conference is a unique opportunity to come together, encourage one another, and build connections and community.
The programme will include:
multilingual, intercultural worship in a larger setting which is rarely experienced by many
seminars appropriate for all delegates
interpreting using a smartphone app
opportunities to hear stories of God’s faithfulness to refugees and people seeking asylum
inspiration to learn and grow together in our intercultural church communities
and so much more…