By Virginia Rendler
On Friday, July 5, six panelists presented a hybrid equipping session titled Strangers No More: Ministry with Immigrants, Refugees, and Other Newcomers. They shared about their experiences with welcoming ministries, what their congregations have done for newcomers to the United States, and what advice they have for communities hoping to start engaging in this ministry.
Irv Heishman from West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Ohio shared about his congregation’s approach to pastoral care for newcomers to the United States. There they sing the doxology in Swahili, Spanish, and English to ensure all feel welcome and celebrated. They also provide English classes after worship, financial support, and physical accompaniment as individuals attempt to obtain documentation.
A pre-recorded video from San Diego (Calif.) First Church of the Brethren spoke about their new Welcoming Heart Ministry, a refugee ministry team that began in 2023. This ministry works with asylum seekers, providing them temporary housing on the church campus as they work towards resettlement. They also work with the city of San Diego for support, creation of program plans, and recruiting of volunteers.
Richard Zapata, pastor from Principe de Paz Church of the Brethren, shared of his congregation’s work with first-, second-, and third-generation immigrants in southern California in a 95 percent Spanish-speaking community. He discussed the three F’s: Family, Faith, and Fiesta. Since the families of newcomers are often far away, the congregation’s work involves becoming a family that is safe and secure for these individuals. The church also provides them space to grow in their faith, and can be a place for them to celebrate their culture.
A video from Jan Futrell, a member of Lower Miami Church of the Brethren in Ohio, spoke about the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition (MVIC), a small community of 20 to 25 worshipers that felt moved by the call for hospitality. They partnered with the MVIC Sanctuary Asylum Working Group to provide housing and initial support for asylum seekers, whether they attend the Church of the Brethren or not. This helps asylum seekers survive the first six to eight months in the US before they can apply for a working permit. The coalition has hosted three families so far.
Founa Augustin Badet, founder of Jesus Lounge Ministry in Palm Beach County, Fla., and the denomination’s director of Intercultural Ministries, told about her personal experience with the immigration process. This led her to begin providing document translation for newcomers, and then expanded to help with all paperwork and processes pertaining to obtaining asylum. These documents are free to fill out, but often only offered in English, and services that offer to help with filling out this paperwork often overcharge or exploit their clientele. Badet’s ministry provides this service at little or no cost, from her own home.
Finally, Roger and Carolyn Shrock from McPherson (Kan.) Church of the Brethren shared about their experience working with the Humanitarian Parole program to help resettle families from Crimea and the Ukraine and host them in their congregation. A McPherson Welcomers committee was formed, and through this process became connected to the Muslim community in McPherson. A space to worship was provided, along with rides to the nearest International Rescue Committee (IRC) offices in Wichita. Both IRC and Church World Service helped them train, prepare, and provided funding.
All of these congregations are doing incredible and difficult work to help newcomers and those in need of respite and welcome to the United States. If you or your congregation want more information on how you can be involved with welcoming ministry, reach out to these individuals, or to the Service Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, to be connected to the larger network.
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