Welcoming the Stranger

In the pages of Scripture, from beginning to end, we encounter a God who draws near to the vulnerable. Time and time again, God’s heart is revealed in His care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. In Deuteronomy, the Lord reminds Israel: “You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deut. 10:19). This command is not just about hospitality—it is about identity. God’s people are those who remember their own story of deliverance and, in response, extend grace to others.  

In this spirit, we are invited to reflect deeply on what it means to welcome the stranger among us today—especially those who arrive as refugee claimants, seeking safety, dignity, and hope. 

Many of us may never know the trauma of being forced to flee our homes because of violence, persecution, or disaster. But the church is called to be a place of sanctuary and healing. As the body of Christ, we are not spectators to the suffering of the world; we are participants in God’s redemptive mission. Christ Himself identifies with the refugee when He says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt. 25:35). To welcome the stranger, then, is to welcome Christ. 

This is not always easy. It may involve crossing boundaries of language, culture, or comfort. But it is in these very places of tension that the Spirit of God often does His most transformative work. We grow in faith, humility, and love when we open our lives—and our churches—to those who carry deep burdens and untold stories. 

Let us, then, be communities that reflect the kingdom of God: where no one is overlooked, where fear is cast out by love, and where every human being is treated with the dignity they bear as image-bearers of God. 

May the Holy Spirit stir our hearts to action and compassion. May our congregations be places of refuge, generosity, and welcome. And may we discover, in the faces of those we receive, the face of Christ Himself. 

In response to the call to welcome the stranger, your church is invited to participate in Refugee Sunday with a special offering on June 29, 2025. 

Each year, millions of people are forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, and disaster. At World Renew, we walk alongside displaced families as they rebuild their lives with dignity. Rooted in God’s love and committed to justice, we partner with churches across Canada to sponsor and resettle refugees—opening the door to new beginnings, healing, and restoration. 

Your Refugee Sunday offering will support World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program. Bulletin inserts for your church can be ordered here. Additional resources, including an offering video, are available at worldrenew.ca/yourchurch.