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Welcome the Stranger: A Canadian Church Guide to Welcoming Refugees

The EFC and its partners in the Refugee Resettlement Initiative have produced this new practical resource to help private sponsors welcome and settle individuals and families into a new life in Canada. The full booklet is now available, totalling more than 65 pages and replacing the free preview that was available earlier this month.

Filled with personal stories from those who have walked the path of sponsorship from the very first stages of inquiry to building relationships with the individuals and families who arrive in Canada, as well as stories and insights from refugees themselves, this resource is a tool for a discussion group or study guide in any church or community considering sponsorship. It will especially help those who want to be involved, but don’t know where to start on the journey of sponsoring refugees to Canada.

The PDF is available free to download instantly. Or if you are interested in having one or more printed copies of the resource shipped to you, contact Anita Levesque at ottawa@theEFC.ca.

New in 2022! Also check out the new Welcome Church video training program.


Contents

Introduction

SECTION 1: A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

Why should Christians and the Christian community sponsor refugees? By Roy Berkenbosch

SECTION 2: FACTS AND STATS

Glossary: Explaining the terms
Infographics: World refugee resettlement
Infographics: Canadian refugee resettlement
Map: Refugee sponsorship across Canada
Infographics: How refugees benefit Canada

SECTION 3: CALLED TO WELCOME – SPONSORED REFUGEES

A church's story: Coming together as churches By Karen Stiller
A refugee's story: Noori
A refugee's story: Inaz
A church's story: Teams take the lead By David Bornman
A church's story: Prayer is crucial By Jenny Miedema
Timeline: The sponsor's journey
Timeline: The refugee's journey
Sponsorship in action: Best practices and those to avoid
A refugee's story: Ishmael
Can my church request Christian refugees? By Joanne Beach

SECTION 4: CALLED TO WELCOME – REFUGEE CLAIMANTS

A ministry opportunity: An opportunity to share God's goodness By Sam Chaise
A refugee's story: Sandra
Christian organizations working with refugee claimants across Canada

SECTION 5: NEXT STEPS

Discussion questions
Thinking through the best way for you to be involved in caring for refugees

CONCLUSION

Faith-based Sponsorship Agreement Holders Working Group members
Featured authors
We answer the call to welcome