Equipped to Welcome & Enabled to Belong is an in-person day conference in Newtonabbey, Northern Ireland for churches and refugees following Jesus to learn more about welcome and belonging in the local church.

Welcome Churches’ vision is for every refugee and migrant to be welcomed by their local church. Bringing together Christians arriving and settling in Northern Ireland and the churches that are welcoming them, this event is a unique opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions that refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants make to their local communities.

Equipped to Welcome, Enabled to Belong is also a place for people of all cultural backgrounds and experiences to discuss the role of the Church as part of the integration of new arrivals in the NI. Come ready to be inspired, informed and connected.

Find out more details about this event and register now!

Event Schedule

Seminars

Morning:

SEMINAR A - Intercultural Discipleship - Kerry Fee

Do you have believers from different cultural backgrounds joining your church family? How can you help them grow in their relationship with God, and use or discover their gifts? How can your church be enriched as they serve? How can you overcome language and culture barriers and help brothers and sisters to flourish as part of your church family?

This seminar will help you think through both principles for intercultural discipleship, as well as looking at potential materials and practical worked examples.

Bio:

Kerry Fee is Community Worker at Windsor Baptist Church. Her role is focussed on reaching out to the international community in South Belfast. Prior to taking up her current role, Kerry worked with Welcome Churches, and as a Coordinator with Friends International, helping churches welcome, reach, and disciple international students, and with All Souls Langham Place as International Student Worker. Discipling believers from other cultures is her passion. Kerry co-authored 'Discipleship Explored: Universal Edition'.

SEMINAR B - Intercultural Worship - Noah Bartlett and Intercultural Worship Ireland

‘Every nation, tribe, people and language…’ Revelation 7:9. What if this wasn’t just a picture of heaven to come but a description of our present day lived experience in our times of worship? In this seminar we will explore, from Scripture, why our times of sung worship are enriched by incorporating different languages, traditions, styles and voices and how, practically speaking, we can implement this in a meaningful way in our local churches or ministry situations.

Bio:

Intercultural Worship Ireland is a collective of musicians and singers from different nations and languages with a heart to see Jesus lifted up through sung worship that reflects the beautiful linguistic, cultural and generational diversity of His kingdom. They do this through leading, resourcing and encouraging intercultural worship through the island of Ireland.(Intercultural Worship Ireland is a part of Intercultural Ministries Ireland, a joint venture of the Evangelical Alliance, MAP, OMF, ECM, Lausanne and LatinLink)

SEMINAR C - Belonging – Emily Shepherd

Can I really feel at home in my church? Come and discuss with Emily and Samuel what it means to belong in our church community and how we can join in.

Bio:

Emily is Welcome Churches' CEO, having co-founded Welcome Churches in 2018. She is now based in Greater Manchester, England. She has a wealth of experience in welcoming many people seeking asylum and refuge with her local church. Emily is passionate about seeing the UK Church being at the forefront of welcoming refugees. She has an MA in Conflict, Development and Security where she specialised in European citizens’ responsibilities to refugees.

SEMINAR D - A Good Welcome - Patrick Purdy

How do you start welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum? What makes a good welcome? In this seminar, we will share how to provide a good welcome to refugees and people seeking asylum, and we will highlight some key resources that can aid your church on this journey. This seminar will be particularly beneficial for churches who are early on in, or yet to start welcoming refugees.

Bio:

Patrick is the Northern Ireland Regional Coordinator for Welcome Churches. Patrick is passionate about training and equipping the local church to answer the call to 'welcome the stranger.' Patrick has a BA in Theology and a PGCert in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, and in his spare time is involved in a provision charity in Belfast that helps refugees and people seeking asylum.

Afternoon:

SEMINAR E - Developing and Leading an Intercultural Church - Nathaniel Jennings

To successfully see your church become an intercultural community of worship and witness for people of all backgrounds and cultures it takes intentionality and action. In this seminar we will cover the bible basis for intercultural church, how to disciple a congregation to understand this and practical steps that need to be taken to see this collectively practiced and embodied.

Bio:

Nathaniel Jennings is of Anglo/Caribbean/American heritage, but was born and spent his childhood in Bangladesh. Following the completion of a Masters in Contextual Missiology (with a focus on the church in Islamic contexts) through Queens University in Belfast, he returned to Bangladesh to be involve in social development and welfare work with SIM. Nathaniel is currently OMF UK's Intercultural Ministries Director based in Northern Ireland. His ministry focuses on encouraging and equipping churches across the UK and Ireland to share Jesus with people of all backgrounds and cultures, and grow as intercultural places of worship and witness.

SEMINAR F - Looking After Yourself - Emily Shepherd

In this seminar, you will be invited to reflect on what trauma is, how it might be caused, and how our bodies and minds might respond to trauma. You will be encouraged to think about how to support a friend who is showing signs of trauma, or how to look after yourself.

SEMINAR G - Teaching English - Johanne Martin

Wondering where to start? In this seminar we will look at what are the vital skills to teach, share ideas, tips and hints on how to teach English. Most importantly, you will get the chance to hear from others who have been running English classes for refugees. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities from this rewarding activity with newcomers.

Bio:

Johanne has been working with newcomers in N Ireland, mainly refugees and Asylum seekers, for over a decade. She has been involved in a range of English language teaching activities from formal classes, conversation groups and preparation for English citizenship test. She completed TEFL/CELTA at QUB in 2002 while studying at Belfast Bible College.

SEMINAR H - Befriending/Cultural Awareness - ANON (The facilitators of this seminar can not be named online.)

The Great Commission commands us to make disciples of all nations. Those of different nations often come from different cultures resulting in different worldviews. Come along and hear how to cross cultural barriers without compromising the Gospel. Perhaps you are new to Northern Ireland and just don’t quite understand why people do things the way they do or perhaps as someone ‘born and bred’ here in Northern Ireland you are struggling to understand the newcomers who attend your church, English class or place of work. During this seminar we will think through what makes up worldview and culture, what causes some of the clashes, as well as how to navigate them for the sake of the Kingdom.

Bio:

Our speaker for this seminar has followed Jesus since her teens, she has a burden to see some of the most unreached and marginalised hear the truth about Jesus while being treated with dignity and respect as image bearers of God. While serving short term across Latin America, Middle East and North Africa the Lord opened a door for a ministry to develop among those God has brought to Northern Ireland. For over 15 years she has been in local ministry among newcomers – through befriending and English Teaching both in the Christian and secular sphere. Most recently, alongside some like-minded people our speaker has been involved in establishing a new ministry seeking to bridge the gap between individuals and churches who have a heart to engage with the refugee and asylum seeker community.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 18th November, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Churches across Greater London are increasingly aware of the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum who are following Jesus, as well as the valuable contribution that they bring to every area of church life.

The challenges faced 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 to integration, in providing a warm welcome, and in offering practical support, community, and genuine friendship.

Many people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary also carry inspiring stories of faith and courage which can strengthen and challenge the church as we gather together. Refugees are truly playing a growing role in reviving established church communities across London.

This one-day regional connect event will bring together Christians from all backgrounds who are followers of Jesus. Join with us to worship, to listen and learn about the thrills and complexities of welcoming and strengthening people seeking refuge, and to connect with other churches and organisations to the glory and splendour of God.

Churches across the South West of England are increasingly aware of the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum who are following Jesus, as well as the valuable contribution that they bring to every area of church life.

The challenges faced 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 to integration, in providing a warm welcome, and in offering practical support, community, and genuine friendship.

Many people from a refugee background also carry inspiring stories of faith and courage which can strengthen and challenge the church as we gather together. Refugees are truly playing a growing role in reviving established church communities across the South West of England.

This regional connect event will bring together Christians from all backgrounds who are followers of Jesus. Join with us to listen and learn about the thrills and complexities of welcoming and strengthening people seeking refuge, and to connect with other churches and organisations to the glory and splendour of God.

Churches across the North East of England are increasingly aware of the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum who are following Jesus, as well as the valuable contribution that they bring to every area of church life.

The challenges faced 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 to integration, in providing a warm welcome, and in offering practical support, community, and genuine friendship.

Many people from a refugee background also carry inspiring stories of faith and courage which can strengthen and challenge the church as we gather together. Refugees are truly playing a growing role in reviving established church communities across the North East of England.

This one-day regional connect event will bring together Christians from all backgrounds who are followers of Jesus. Join with us to worship, to listen and learn about the thrills and complexities of welcoming and strengthening people seeking refuge, and to connect with other churches and organisations to the glory and splendour of God.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 23rd September, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Bible Society and Welcome Churches are gathering for prayer at 3 pm on Friday 9 August. We’re praying for calm in our communities and for the safety of refugees. We’ll also be sharing about the work we do together, supporting churches in welcoming new arrivals to the UK and making the Bible available to them. Let’s pray together for peace over the weekend and for an end to these waves of violence across the country.

This meeting will focus on the impact of the protests and riots across the UK and the response of churches, Bible Society and Welcome Churches. Come ready to pray for our communities and our nation at this time.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 24th June, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Has your church joined the Welcome Network this past year? Come and hear what it means to be part of the Network and what you have signed up to! What do we mean by a refugee referral? What is a “welcome”? How can your church grow your work with refugees in your particular location? How can your church access training, resources, and support from the Welcome Churches team?

Join us for online to hear from the Welcome Churches team, and be inspired to grow your Welcome!

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 20th May, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Come ready and expectant to intercede to our Heavenly Father, for He gives good things to those who ask Him (James 1:17).

Devote half an hour from your day to lift up in prayer those seeking asylum who are known to us and who are at risk of detention and removal to Rwanda.

We will be praying in unity in a safe space with Christians from across the UK.

Do you work in a cross-cultural environment, including supporting people seeking asylum and refugees?

If so, this session will help you to develop awareness and sensitivity in observing cultural behaviours, including your own. Cross-cultural awareness is the foundation of communication. It gives us the ability to stand back and look at our own values, beliefs, and perceptions. This, in turn, helps us to understand cultures different from our own, so we can communicate better. It is not primarily about getting all the right answers about cultures; rather, it is about building the ability to ask all the right questions.

This session will be held on Wednesday 10 April, 7.30 - 9pm.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 25th March, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Welcoming and hospitality are key Biblical values shared by all Christians around the world. But what does this look like? And how does a welcome lead to full integration and discipleship? This training session aims to equip churches to consider how to do this.

Welcoming should lead to integrating and discipling, opening a space for our new neighbours and letting them feel at home in our midst. People who come from other cultures, including refugees and people seeking asylum are to be honoured, provided for and welcomed with an open heart. Hebrews 13:2 indicates that “ Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it”.

This training aims to take you on a journey of learning about how to welcome, integrate and disciple people from other cultures. It will help you to be informed and make you aware of the most important things you need to know when interacting and welcoming people from other cultures. It will help you as you support and help people step by step to find their place in your church community. 

It will also look into different aspects of receiving people from other a range of cultural backgrounds and how you can make them feel at home as you learn and share your cultural values. 

This training is at £25 per delegate, or £12.50 per delegate from Welcome Network churches.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 29th January, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

How much do you know about housing for people seeking asylum and refugees? This session will inform church volunteers about how people seeking asylum and refugees are housed, and the moving process they go through, both within cities and between different types of accomodation. Also, come and find out about the different housing challenges that arise once a person seeking asylum gains refugee status.

This training is at £25 per delegate, or £12.50 per delegate from Welcome Network churches.

Do you work in a cross-cultural environment, including supporting people seeking asylum and refugees?

If so, this session will help you to develop awareness and sensitivity in observing cultural behaviours, including your own. Cross-cultural awareness is the foundation of communication. It gives us the ability to stand back and look at our own values, beliefs, and perceptions. This, in turn, helps us to undestand cultures different from our own, so we can communicate better. It is not primarily about getting all the right answers about cultures; rather, it is about building the ability to ask all the right questions.

This session will be held on Tuesday 5 December, 7.30-9pm.

Would you like to know more about the experiences of refugees and those seeking asylum? Do you want to explore the role of the U.K. Church in responding to this need?

Our session aims to equip churches to support those newly arrived in their communities with: up-to-date information about the U.K. asylum system and resettlement routes, the barriers faced by those coming to the U.K., practical ideas about what the church can do, and inspiration from those with lived experience.

We are calling the UK Church to gather together to pray for refugees and people seeking asylum during this time. We believe that God hears our prayers as we gather together.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Join Christians from across the UK on Monday 27th September, from 8-9PM, on Zoom to pray with and for refugees. We are looking forward to praying with you! This event will not be recorded.

Is your church involved with welcoming people seeking asylum housed in hotels? Come and share your experiences, and hear from others in hotels ministry. Join us on Friday 6th October, from12 to1pm on Zoom for our Hotels Connect Meeting.

Equipped to Welcome, an in-person day conference in Northern Ireland Newtownabbey, is for Christian individuals and churches who want to be better equipped to welcome refugees and people seeking asylum. There will be large group sessions, seminars and a resource area.

As we seek to grow in our understanding of the Biblical mandate to “welcome the stranger” and “offer hospitality to strangers”, we can benefit from others who have experience and expertise in not only welcoming refugees, but supporting and understanding their specific needs, and in sharing our faith with our new neighbours.

So come and join us to be Equipped to Welcome.