August 2018 News
Program Update
Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program is on pace to assist 1,300 beneficiaries by September 30
Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT) Since January 1, the program has conducted trainings and mobilized more than 70 new volunteers in locations such as Willmar, St. Cloud, East St. Paul, Oakdale, Columbia Heights, and Minnetonka
[pullquote style=”right” quote=”dark”]Through the partnership with local churches, refugees being resettled in a community gain a built-in support network that lasts long after the resettlement period is over. These friendships that form are a blessing to both sides and provide tangible evidence of God’s love at work.” – World Relief Atlanta [/pullquote]Refugee Life Ministries (RLM) Praise God for church teams matched to refugee and asylum-seeking families in July:
- Woodbury Community Church came alongside a Karenni family of 6
- Building Disciples Fellowship was connected to a Somali family of 6
- Mercy Vineyard Church was connected to an Anuak family of 4
- New Life Refuge was connected to a Somali family of 5
We are encouraged by a report we received from a Filipino Church in the Twin Cities who were connected to several refugee families. Many from the church went camping earlier this summer and included their Karen refugee friends. Not only was there a great time of fun, games, swimming and worship, several of the Karen refugees were baptized, while other refugees learned about following Jesus as they enjoyed friendship in action. What a joy to see families move beyond loss, dislocation, and trauma to WELCOME AND BELONGING.
Welcoming the Stranger
We are grateful for the 350 church and lay leaders from the Twin Cities and beyond who joined us on August 2 for the WELCOMING THE STRANGER seminar. Matthew Soerens, our colleague at World Relief, was inspirational as we learned the facts about immigration and the refugee crisis and how we can advocate, pray, and serve as God brings the nations to our doorsteps.
Refugee Council USA
This is Outrageous
- In the first half of 2016, 1500+ persecuted Middle Eastern Christians were able to find safety in the U.S. through the refugee resettlement program, some escaping a situation our State Department has called genocidal
- From January-June 2018, just 23 were allowed into the United States, down 98%
- More than 1,500 refugees have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the first seven months of 2018
- Please call the White House and say this is unacceptable: 202-456-1111
“Those who are persecuted and displaced because of their faith need our support. For many, it is a matter of life and death. We urge our leaders to resettle at least 75,000 refugees in the coming year.” -Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals
Arrive Ministries relies on the support of churches, individuals and community members. Give now or send your tax-deductible gift to:
Arrive Ministries
1515 East 66th Street
Richfield, MN 55423
