As our nation transitions to a new presidential administration, Arrive Ministries remains committed and prepared to respond to anticipated federal policy changes that may affect our work of welcoming refugees and immigrants.
Since the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program began in 1980, many have found refuge from the persecution that forced them to flee their homelands. These men, women, and children arrive in our communities with rights, a legal pathway to citizenship, and renewed hope for their futures. We grieve any position or posture that would keep families separated longer or even eliminate new beginnings for many.
In light of this Presidential transition, Arrive Ministries’ mission remains unchanged. In partnership with the local church, we are committed to seeking life transformation for refugees and immigrants, created in God’s image and deserving of dignity and support.
This isn’t the first time the landscape of welcome has shifted. In 2017, amidst restrictive policies on refugee admissions, Arrive Ministries adapted by expanding our empowerment programs through education, employment and building stronger community partnerships. We remember with gratitude how churches stepped up, forming 50 Good Neighbor teams to live out Jesus’ call to love our neighbors.
We remain steadfast in this calling, focusing on our three pillars: welcome, connection, and growth.
Experience Welcome: Arrive Ministries will resettle 100 refugees in the next eight weeks, marking a milestone of welcoming 12,000 individuals since 1988. We cherish these individuals who enrich our communities and inspire our faith in action. We will continue to extend a warm welcome to refugees and immigrants.
Build Connection: We are committed to connecting our new neighbors with volunteers from local churches. Many refugees who have come in recent years face isolation and yearn for friendship. We know that having a network of trusted relationships builds a crucial bridge to stabilization.
Cultivate Growth: We strive to see these communities flourish, by providing opportunities for language learning, employment, and financial and digital literacy classes. We help refugees achieve their goals and make advancements on their path toward thriving.
Following Jesus’ call to love our neighbor in Matthew 25, we pray for a renewed movement of church partners and volunteers to join us in extending love and support to our refugee neighbors.
Stand with the resilient families we have the privilege of welcoming. Join us in providing hope and compassion to those who need it most.
Give today to make a profound difference in the lives of our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
What’s Ahead:
- We will continue to approach this year with a responsiveness to the current situation and leading of the Holy Spirit, just as we have through previous challenging years.
- We don’t know what President Trump will change or preserve when he takes office in January and are committed to praying for him and his administration.
- Minnesota is a welcoming state with a local government that is favorable to supportive services for refugee and immigrant communities. We will be responsive to ways the state seeks to navigate this new season.
- We know that there will be existing and new opportunities to serve our immigrant neighbors in the months and years ahead.
- We will continue to pray for our refugee and immigrant neighbors and the church during this season and throughout the next term.
