Category: Immigration

Stories of Hope and Resilience

7/11/2025

Arizona Disciples invite us to the place where
faith, migration, and sacred stories meet

The Arizona Disciples Border Initiative (ADBI) began two years ago as a pilot project between the Arizona Region and Week of Compassion. The initiative began with two main areas of focus: education about immigration and border issues, and care and accompaniment for asylum seekers. In a time of increased militarization of the United States’ southern border and with few asylum applications being opened and approved, this ministry has much to teach the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) about the realities of migration and asylum and how to live in solidarity with “the least of these brothers and sisters” as Christ has called us to do.

a Statement on Refugee Resettlement

4/23/2025

Disciples congregations have been answering the call to support refugees since 1941, when First Christian Church in Eureka, Illinois sponsored a Jewish family of four fleeing Germany. In a time when the refugee resettlement program as we know it is being dismantled, we are grateful for the ways in which you continue to respond.

From California to Virginia, Disciples are showing up for refugees, teaching English, breaking bread together, and providing basic needs while refugee resettlement agencies lose access to funding.

Read a Statement on Refugee Resettlement from General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens below.

As we work to understand the best ways to show up for our neighbors on the move in light of the administration’s dismantling of the refugee program, you can join Disciples across the country in their compassionate commitment to refugees. If you would like to join Week of Compassion's monthly refugee response call, please contact Grace Kozak, Associate Director for Immigrant & Refugee Response.

Refugee Resettlement 2023

1/9/2024

year in review

In 2023, more than 70 Disciples churches responded to the needs of refugees, evacuees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in their communities. Thousands of people from all over the world saw the support, care, and compassion of Disciples who welcomed the stranger through radical acts of hospitality and love. Learn more about Week of Compassion's committment to Disciples' refugee response and ongoing opportunities to connect to this life-changing ministry.

Refugee Response Tour

11/20/2023

reflections on recent conversations

Recently, Rev. Alan Dicken, Week of Compassion's Associate for Immigrant and Refugee Response, spent a week in the Ohio Region, bringing together congregations and resettlement partners to make connections about the ongoing work and future possibilities in caring for new neighbors in their communities. Churches asked questions, shared insights, and discovered ways to partner for the good of those around them, offering welcome and hospitality in ways large and small.

Week of Compassion + Be the Neighbor

9/26/2023

expanding ministry & partnership

At the beginning of the summer, Week of Compassion partnered with Be The Neighbor, a justice-based service-learning trip ministry empowering youth and adults to put faith into action through service and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming. Be the Neighbor missions include direct service, relational ministry, immersion experiences, and education. The key question they ask: What would the world look like if we all took seriously the idea of being a good neighbor?

From Strawberries to Bicycles

6/20/2023

how one community welcomes refugees

World Refugee Day 2023

A car full of strawberries and a classroom full of clothes. Applause for asking questions and quick-thumbed typing into Google Translate. Well-coordinated schedules and unexpected on-call moments. Local congregations involved in refugee response know all these challenges, rejoice in every success, and have countless stories to tell. For some, that story of welcome, assistance, and compassion for refugees settling in new communities is deeply personal, too.

New Rules, New Reality

6/6/2023

After more than a year, Ukrainian refugees
continue to find their way in neighboring Romania.

Almost 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, entered Romania in the first year following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Many of those moved through Romania en route to other countries, but many thousand have remained, with the assistance of family, government, and humanitarian agencies.

AIDRom - a Week of Compassion partner through ACT Alliance - recently shared a conversation with Marina, a mother of two and refugee in Romania since the beginning of the war.

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STORIES

Stories of Hope and Resilience

Arizona Disciples invite us to the place where
faith, migration, and sacred stories meet

a Statement on Refugee Resettlement

Refugee Resettlement 2023

year in review

Refugee Response Tour

reflections on recent conversations

Week of Compassion + Be the Neighbor

expanding ministry & partnership

From Strawberries to Bicycles

how one community welcomes refugees

World Refugee Day 2023

New Rules, New Reality

After more than a year, Ukrainian refugees
continue to find their way in neighboring Romania.

region / focus :

Follow Us

STORIES

Stories of Hope and Resilience

Arizona Disciples invite us to the place where​faith, migration, and sacred stories meet

a Statement on Refugee Resettlement

Refugee Resettlement 2023

year in review

Refugee Response Tour

reflections on recent conversations

Week of Compassion + Be the Neighbor

expanding ministry & partnership

From Strawberries to Bicycles

how one community welcomes refugees

​World Refugee Day 2023

New Rules, New Reality

After more than a year, Ukrainian refugees continue to find their way in neighboring Romania.

region / focus :

Follow Us

Arizona Disciples invite us to the place where
faith, migration, and sacred stories meet

World Refugee Day 2023

After more than a year, Ukrainian refugees
continue to find their way in neighboring Romania.