“…I had lost my whole family, but with my church I have found a new home and a new family.”
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Blogs
Political debates and election results can feel very different when you happen to be the subject of the debate.
As hotels close and people relocate, communities are disrupted. See how your church can stay connected and make a difference.
Ultimately, the measure of authentic Christian faith is not how loudly we defend “Christian heritage,” but how faithfully we follow Christ in loving our neighbour, welcoming the stranger, and seeking peace for all.
Policies may shift suddenly, yet one calling remains constant: the Church is called to love our neighbours as ourselves. In every season, we have the opportunity to offer welcome, kindness, and belonging.
United in Christ, churches are called to move beyond welcome - embracing diversity, sharing life, and standing alongside refugees and people seeking asylum across the UK.
‘Lived experience’ has become one of those ‘buzzwords’ of today’s world. As an organisation dedicated to helping refugees and people seeking asylum integrate into local churches and communities, we are often asked how we incorporate ‘lived experience’ into our work - and how we embed it into the very DNA of our charity.
I am delighted to be joining Welcome Churches as CEO and leading this amazing charity into its next chapter. As I prepare to begin this role on 2nd June, I would deeply appreciate your prayers for wisdom and guidance, and for the continued growth of this vital ministry.
At Welcome Churches, it is a huge privilege to be invited to take part in different conversations about racial justice and intercultural churches across churches in the UK. Let’s think about how ministry with refugees can help our churches to engage with these issues in a practical and tangible way.
After Emily’s years of leading Welcome Churches, a new season is beginning. From its early days to now, the journey has been one of faith, growth, and unwavering commitment to welcoming refugees. As Welcome Churches steps into its next chapter, will you be part of its future?
Channel 4’s new show is making waves, sparking heated debates on immigration, refugees, and what it really means to seek asylum. Some call it exploitative, others say it’s eye-opening - but does it actually challenge public perceptions?
With Donald Trump taking office as the President of the United States, one of his first priorities has been advancing his immigration agenda. While we are not in the U.S., it is important for us to reflect on these events from across the Atlantic. Immigration remains a highly debated issue here in the UK as well, making it vital for us to consider our response as followers of Jesus.
Lunar New Year is a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness. This season offers a unique opportunity to extend hospitality, love, and understanding to those around us. By sharing blessings, meals, and experiences, we can create meaningful connections with our friends and neighbours from East Asia.
CEO and co-founder, Emily Shepherd, will be stepping down in spring to pursue postgraduate studies. We’re deeply grateful for her inspiring leadership and passion. Join us in praying for the next leader God is calling to this ministry.
The regime’s collapse highlights the fragility of human power and the unpredictability of history. Uncertainty, though unsettling, can also open the way for transformation, reminding us to trust in God’s ultimate justice and goodness.
Stories
“I am still amazed at how well church members got to know and care for us. This welcome did not leave me feeling just accepted; it left me with a feeling of belonging.”
“My most treasured memory is when I prayed in my native language, and everyone, with pure hearts and unified voices, responded with a resounding ‘Amen.’ That moment was sacred and unforgettable for me.”
“I felt God saying: ‘I have brought you to this town and this church for a purpose. Through you, others will be blessed, and you too will be blessed. You will wash the feet of many.’ From that moment, I knew this place was holy ground.”
“Our arrival at Weymouth Baptist Church felt like stepping out of a cold, locked prison, into the arms of a loving family. The people did not just welcome us, they received us, as if we had come home after a long, painful journey.”
Zahra found refuge and faith in a Church of England parish. Her powerful testimony: “I didn’t choose to become a Christian. God chose me.”
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 7: A New Chapter Begins
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 6: Becoming a Blessing
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 5: I Am Not Alone
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 4: Reclaiming Dignity
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 3: Holding on to Hope.
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 2: My Voice Matters.
During this Refugee Week, accompany Samuel Luak (Welcome Churches) as he reflects on his faith journey as a refugee. Day 1: From Pain to Purpose
A simple invitation to a children’s vacation club - what followed was a journey into healing, friendship, and a deeper faith for R and her family.
When Grace arrived in the UK, having left her career, home and elderly parents back in Hong Kong, she didn’t know where to start. Finding a church that was ready to welcome her and her family and help them become part of a community made all the difference - joining in with events and cultural activities that had been organised especially to make them feel welcome was incredible
Mori had just started to feel settled in a local community in the UK after the journey he had been on. He couldn’t believe that he had now been relocated to another town over 100 miles away, without being given a choice and with just a few hours notice. Amazingly, his pastor was able to use the online Welcome Network and connect him with a new church that was ready to welcome Mori into the community.
Daniel fled Iran due to his Christian faith. One Sunday morning after arriving in the UK, he walked into the local church building not knowing what he would find behind the doors. He found a welcome that he couldn’t have imagined, and the church discovered a new ministry right on their doorstep!
At Welcome Churches we continue to be encouraged by the way that the Church has been at the forefront of welcoming those seeking refuge in the UK.
Churches from all across the UK have taken the initiative, often starting small, to support Ukrainian arrivals. Many churches have begun by opening a hub, serving as a community space for Ukrainians and their hosts in their local area.
Today we get to hear this encouraging story from one of our Welcome Network churches, City Church Cardiff on their journey of welcoming a family from Hong Kong
“We Couldn’t Say Goodbye”:
The Bibby Stockholm Stories from Weymouth Baptist Church
When sanctuary seekers arrived in Weymouth to board the Bibby Stockholm barge, Weymouth Baptist Church and the wider community opened their doors and their hearts. This is the story of how a church became a family, how strangers became friends, and how a simple act of welcome blossomed into lasting relationships - woven through stories of trauma, hope, and healing. Hear from Dave, Ashkan, Noah, Mokadar and others - in their own words - about what it meant to truly belong.
Videos
Krystyna fled Ukraine and found a warm welcome in a UK church. Watch how everything changed as she found welcome and a new family here.
Refugees Mohammed and Mehdi were traumatised and alone. They fled their homeland for safety and peace in the UK, but were shunted between cities. Refugees like them were even targets for hatred during the riots last summer. But thanks to Freedom Church and Grace Church, they received a life-transforming welcome - and built friendships between cities that will last a lifetime.
This Christmas, give the gift of welcome to refugees like Mohammed and Mehdi.
Refugees Mohammed and Mehdi were traumatised and alone.
They fled their homeland for safety and peace in the UK, but were shunted between cities. Refugees like them were even targets for hatred during the UK’s summer riots.
This Christmas, give the gift of welcome to refugees like Mohammed and Mehdi. Your donation will be doubled, too, to help twice as many people.
After the Taliban's capture of Kabul in August 2021, thousands of Afghans fled in search of safety. In response, Welcome Churches quickly launched an emergency plan to support those seeking refuge. This video provides a brief overview of the significant achievements made by the Welcome Churches community and network since then.
We are deeply thankful for the support of our community, which has made these initiatives possible. As we continue to provide crucial assistance to Afghan refugees in the UK, we invite you to join us in this mission. Donate today to help us continue designing and delivering essential services, and to expand our reach even further.
Join us on 23 June for Refugee Sunday 2024! This year, we'll explore together what "Our Home" truly means for all of us, through stories of refugees, people seeking asylum and Christians who support and welcome them.
This video is only a sneak preview. Sign up now for more stories and resources that will enrich your Refugee Sunday celebrations and empower your work of welcome here!
Find out about our projects, trainings and networks, and what we are doing to equip and support local churches to reach out and welcome refugees into our communities. Together we can change the story.
Watch our Welcome Churches film for Refugee Sunday 2023 to help you to celebrate refugees in your church!
Welcome Churches Annual Review
Looking for a more detailed picture of Welcome Churches’ mission and work? Find out more about us from our 2024-25 Annual Review!
Welcome Churches Annual Review
Refugees Teresa and Elias fled Guatemala to give their children a safer future in the UK. Arriving in an unfamiliar country, they felt alone and unsure where to turn. Then a local church welcomed them - and everything changed. "We are happy because we were welcomed warmly.