A Family Found: A and F’s Stories
At Church@The MegaCentre, “welcome!” is more than a greeting - it’s a way of life. For many arriving in the UK, the church has become a sanctuary, offering not just spiritual nourishment but genuine community. A and F’s stories are beautiful examples of the powerful impact of a church’s warm welcome for newcomers.
A arrived in the UK from Peru with her family in December 2022. Staying in a Home Office accommodation hotel, she first heard about the church through other Latinas who had met a Peruvian pastor. After a short time, she and her family were invited to a church service - and she felt stirred to go along. “At first, I may not have been consistent in attending, but then it was my body that asked me to go,” she says. “The meetings became more continuous for me.”
This was the start of a journey of connection and healing. A recalls visits to the pastors’ home, shared meals, and deep friendships with people who cared - regardless of background or status. For A, Church@The MegaCentre has been a place of spiritual growth and healing in an atmosphere of unconditional love.
“If I continue to name names I would never finish, but here in England I feel like I am part of the family, with everyone at church…We are witnesses of His blessings and we attest to many things that He did and does for us… Here at church I have felt like I am without fear of being judged or criticized.”
F had a similar experience of being welcomed wholeheartedly. When formal church services were put on hold over August, he and his family were invited to gatherings in the pastors’ home. “We felt welcomed as a family,” he shares. “Thank you for your love and prayers, fulfilling what the Scripture says: pray for one another.” He emphasises that Church@The MegaCentre has been more than a place to worship for him - it has been a vital part of his adjustment to a new life in the UK.
“We can say that the church is key in the adaptation process. There we find many people who share their love with us in a genuine way and make us feel welcome in this country. We are not “the group of refugees” who visit the church, but we are part of the church family. Thank you all for having a heart full of God’s love.”
These stories remind us that the experience of finding a home in a church can be life-changing. For A and F, Church@The MegaCentre is not just a helpful neighbour - it is the new home where they found restoration and belonging.
Want to equip more welcoming churches?
At Welcome Churches, we’re committed to equipping churches across the UK, like Church@The MegaCentre, 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.
