It’s time to GO because it’s time to GROW!
Written by Emily Shepherd, CEO of Welcome Churches
At the beginning of the year, we announced that I would be moving on from Welcome Churches in the coming months. This is a significant step for me, as I have been with Welcome Churches since its inception (and even before!). Moving on to something new and entrusting the leadership to someone else has been a big decision, but it’s the right time.
The journey with Welcome Churches has been an incredible adventure. When I first joined Karina Martin in Derby to expand a national initiative helping churches welcome refugees—born out of the work of Upbeat Communities—we knew we were stepping into the unknown. During one of our prayer times, a friend encouraged us to “look to the horizon,” assuring us that there was far more in store for Welcome Churches than what we could see at that moment. That has certainly been true! Every week, we are connecting people who are seeking refuge across the UK who are isolated, unfamiliar with their surroundings and do not know anyone nearby with a local church community to welcome them. Many of these people are families, with children who are looking for new friends.
Since becoming an independent charity in 2018, we have experienced tremendous growth and adaptation in response to various global and national events, including:
The relocation of asylum seekers across the UK at short notice, leading to the establishment of the Welcome Network referral system.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which moved us online and expanded our reach and efficiency.
The Hong Kong BN(O) visa programme in 2021, where we joined the UKHK coalition to support thousands of arrivals from Hong Kong.
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, which led us to be part of the Afghan Welcome coalition to support evacuees.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting the launch of Ukraine Welcome to train and support churches welcoming Ukrainians.
Ongoing media and political narratives about refugees, to which we respond with the unwavering message: Regardless of political views, our Christian faith calls us to welcome the stranger and practice hospitality to people seeking refuge on our doorsteps.
These key moments have shaped our work—training and equipping local churches to provide a trauma-informed welcome to refugees. With over 1,400 churches in our Welcome Network, thousands have found a place to belong in their local communities each year. Our churches truly have been blessed by those they welcome, and I have loved playing a part in this.
As one person who was welcomed by their local church said: ‘Here at church I have felt like I am without fear of being judged or criticised’
So why step away now?
Welcome Churches is now well-established and ready for its next phase of growth. To achieve our vision of seeing “Every Refugee Welcomed by the Local Church,” new leadership is needed to expand our presence and consolidate our work. Simply put, it’s time to grow again!
I have been hugely touched by everyone who has congratulated me on all that Welcome Churches has done so far. We have a truly fantastic team, and our cross-cultural expertise especially is such a blessing to the UK Church. But I know that the movement of Welcome Churches is far bigger than our small staff team. It is made up of churches across the UK - from Inverness to Cornwall, and from Londonderry to Great Yarmouth - and it is connecting people from the nations who are coming to the UK - including people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong, but also Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq, India, and Vietnam, to name just a few! God’s Church truly is remarkable, and at its best, it truly is the Hope of the Nations.
As we enter this exciting new phase of the journey, could you help Welcome Churches to grow?
To continue serving the UK Church and welcoming every refugee who arrives, Welcome Churches must keep expanding. And we all have a part we can play in that. Right now, we particularly need people to commit to giving regularly to see our work grow. Our work is funded and sustained by individuals and churches who believe in our vision. For Welcome Churches to continue, our funding must grow significantly.
As we embark on this exciting new phase, could you consider partnering with us? Your support can help us ensure that more refugees are welcomed and embraced in their local communities by local churches for years to come. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that more people who believe in our vision join us by committing to give regularly to our work. Without people like you, it truly wouldn’t be possible.
As we enter this exciting new phase of the journey, could you help Welcome Churches to grow?
To continue serving the UK Church and welcoming every refugee who arrives, Welcome Churches must keep expanding. And we all have a part we can play in that. Right now, we particularly need people to commit to giving regularly to see our work grow. Our work is funded and sustained by individuals and churches who believe in our vision. For Welcome Churches to continue, our funding must grow significantly.
As we embark on this exciting new phase, could you consider partnering with us? Your support can help us ensure that more refugees are welcomed and embraced in their local communities by local churches for years to come. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is that more people who believe in our vision join us by committing to give regularly to our work. Without people like you, it truly wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you for your support. Let’s keep growing together!