Hello from James!

Written by James Lynch, incoming CEO of Welcome Churches

I am delighted to be joining Welcome Churches as the new CEO, and to have the opportunity to lead this amazing charity into the next chapter of its story.  I feel very passionate about the mission of Welcome Churches.  I find it is very closely aligned with my own values and sense of calling.

My very first involvement in supporting refugees began in 1992 when, as an 18-year-old I co-led a number of humanitarian aid trips to the former Yugoslavia, raising support from churches in the UK, and supporting refugee camps in Croatia and Bosnia.  In more recent years I have been involved with several refugee support projects in the Midlands, and I have seen first-hand the impact made in both the lives of refugees, and also in the churches themselves involved in this amazing ministry.  I have dedicated much of my time to pioneering a number of exciting and innovative ministries, building new relationships with churches and partnering with many different charities.

I will leave my current role as CEO of Sandwell Churches Link at the end of May, ready to start my new role with Welcome Churches in early June.

Please pray for me, that I will continue to be equipped for this role, and that the Lord will continue to bless the work of Welcome Churches in this new season.  My prayer is that both the refugee community in the UK, and UK churches will continue to be richly blessed, encouraged and equipped through the ministry of Welcome Churches.

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!