Meeting God: R and N’s Stories
It began with 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.
R and her family first connected with the Church@The MegaCentre in summer 2023 while living in an asylum accommodation hotel. She signed her daughters up for the vacation club where she met the pastors and their family. Their friendship grew, and after a few weeks, “they [the pastors] opened the doors of their home to us,” R recalls. “That day we enjoyed a delicious Peruvian meal and met their family.”
They began attending regular church meetings - even when it wasn’t a special event - because they wanted to get closer to God.
“The asylum process is not easy at all - our situation as refugees is quite difficult. My husband and I were going through a very hard time, and even had to go to the hospital - but we always had the support of the pastors. They welcomed us with so much love and affection without even knowing us.”
“God puts angels in our path and those angels for us are the Pastors and the church. God never lets go of our hand and puts wonderful people in our lives so that we do not forget that He loves us and always takes care of us.”
N, who fled from Ukraine with her family, shares a similar story of the life transforming impact of the welcome that she received from the church. “When we first arrived from Ukraine due to the war, our church became an island of refuge for us, a place where we found immense support through a loving church family, united prayer that has been incredibly effective, and unwavering assistance.”
Today, N says, they are not just members of the same church - they are a family. “Each member is ready to offer help and support to one another at any time, day or night. This sense of community is truly invaluable.”
Through the Welcome Network, R and N’s families have found much more than a place to worship. They encountered love, partnership, friendship and family support in a time of need.
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. ”
This calling to welcome, this calling to be messengers of God’s love and healing, is not only for the community of Church@The MegaCentre. It is also for all of us.
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.
