Refugees, racial justice and intercultural churches
Written by Emily Shepherd, CEO of Welcome Churches
At Welcome Churches, it is a huge privilege to be invited to take part in different conversations happening within the UK Church. Some of these have included conversations about racial justice and intercultural churches - two very important topics that churches across the UK are grappling with. We thought it would be helpful to share some thoughts on how ministry with refugees can help our churches to engage with these issues in a practical and tangible way.
1. The movement of people across the world today is built on a history of colonialism.
The top countries where people seeking asylum came to the UK in 2024 included Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Syria. Most of these countries have either been colonised in their past, or have had strong colonial influences on their governments (e.g. the influence of the British in Iran). In addition to this, we have seen large numbers arrive from Ukraine and Hong Kong to the UK. These are both places where their land has been contested and fought over by different powers. This report from Refugee Action highlights this in more detail.
2. The UK refugee system is racialised.
We need to acknowledge that people are welcomed differently to the UK, depending on the colour of their skin. This continues to cause pain for many people, especially those who have felt less welcome than others when they have arrived in the UK.
3. One of the main ways that churches in the UK are meeting people from different cultures and nationalities is through refugee ministries.
It is so exciting to see many churches across the UK go on a journey to become more intercultural - celebrating different cultures and nationalities and becoming more diverse. Often, it has been by welcoming people seeking refuge and asylum that churches have started to go on a journey to become more intercultural. This isn’t just from white-majority churches, but different diaspora churches too. At Welcome Churches we have had the privilege of journeying with churches that would define themselves as Chinese-majority, Caribbean-majority and others who also want to follow God’s call to welcome refugees and become more intercultural.
4. We have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past to welcome people today.
There is a history of people arriving in the UK, particularly during the Windrush generation, and not being welcomed by their local church. An important discussion is happening in the UK Church about bringing reconciliation for past wrongs in the Church. A very practical way that we can learn from the past is to ensure that everyone is welcomed in local churches across the UK today - no matter where they are from, or how they came to the UK. Proactively welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum in our churches can help to make sure that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. Churches and denominations need to invest more resources in this area so that we have much to celebrate in our welcome of the outsider.
These are big issues for our churches to think through. We are so grateful at Welcome Churches to be able to help churches to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. We are all on a journey of learning and reconciliation in these areas. We look forward to continuing to be part of the conversations happening in the UK Church today so we can more fully reflect God’s Kingdom here on Earth.
Want to go beyond conversations and help build communities of justice and welcome?
At Welcome Churches, we’re committed to equipping churches across the UK to welcome refugees, embrace diversity, and create communities where everyone belongs. Your support enables us to connect more refugees with local churches.
By giving today, you’re helping to shape a future where no refugee or person seeking asylum is alone.