Help refugees in Northern Ireland find their Welcome!
We recently ran an in-person conference in Belfast, partnering with Mission Action Partnership (MAP). Over 150 people attended and we had seminars and speakers on topics such as giving an intentional welcome as a church, Intercultural Churches, churches running English classes, working with children and young people seeking asylum and much more. We hope to run more events like this in the future.
Speak to Patrick Purdy who represents Northern Ireland on the Welcome Churches team: tel:07745 381925 or email patrick.purdy@welcomechurches.org. He will be happy to help with your church’s needs.
Regional Need
The Welcome Churches team includes a dedicated Northern Ireland Coordinator to support Northern Ireland churches to welcome refugees and those seeking asylum into their communities.
The numbers of refugees and asylum seekers coming to Northern Ireland has grown exponentially in the last year and a half. Many nationalities of people seeking asylum are being accommodated in new locations across Northern Ireland; Afghan families are arriving and many Ukrainians are also seeking refuge. There is an urgent need for the church to continue to respond in welcoming all those seeking safety. We want to train and equip local churches to respond to these needs in their location, and actively support you as you do so.
Local Response
Patrick is passionate about envisioning, training and equipping the local church to welcome refugees and asylum seekers. He has studied both Theology, and Conflict Transformation and Social Justice in university. He also volunteers with a local charity to offer provisions for refugees and people seeking asylum. He believes God has given him the experience, knowledge, and passion to support the local Church to welcome those who are vulnerable and often marginalised by society.
Patrick knows that local churches are excellently placed to ensure that those seeking refuge in Northern Ireland are welcomed into the community. He seeks to strengthen ties and relationships with churches across Northern Ireland, allowing for increased opportunities for training and collaboration, and also to foster partnerships with other organisations to deliver key support. Welcome Churches has a unique opportunity to envision, equip, train and resource churches as they set out on this journey. Ultimately, we are seeking to achieve our aim for all refugees to be welcomed by the local Church.
Future Direction
We are keen to hear from churches across Northern Ireland. What would help your church in its work with asylum seekers and refugees? Please contact Patrick to share your thoughts and areas for future development for Welcome Churches across Northern Ireland, or to find out how we can best support your church.
Supporting your region
You can help support our work, programmes and development in Northern Ireland by donating today. Your donations help to develop strong partnerships that offer the best possible local, on-the-ground support to churches working with refugees. Donate now to support Welcome Churches projects across the Northern Ireland.