Over the last 15 years, a refugee sponsorship committee made up of members from four Christian Reformed Churches in Chatham, Ontario has worked together to sponsor refugees from around the world. Serving through World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship program in Canada, the committee has walked alongside individuals and families as they rebuild their lives after displacement and persecution.
Reflecting on the experience, committee member Randy Vanstemp shared, “There is no denying that it is a ton of work and a lot of responsibility. But you’re giving hope and a whole new life to people… Is it worth it? Yes, it certainly is. Not only have we been a blessing in the lives of these new Canadians, but they have also been a tremendous blessing to us.”
While refugee sponsorship programs differ from country to country, the heart of the work remains the same: communities coming together to offer welcome, stability, and hope to people who have been forced to flee their homes.
From Sponsors to Friends
For the Chatham committee, sponsorship has gone far beyond helping newcomers arrive and settle. Relationships have grown that are marked by friendship and mutual care. Randy explained, “In most cases, [those we sponsored] become friends and in some cases… lifelong relationships have been established.”
The committee has also had opportunities to welcome newcomers into the life of their churches and neighbourhoods. “Although we did not expect it, nearly all of the folks from Burma have chosen to worship at one of the local Christian Reformed Churches,” Randy noted. As trust and connection deepen, sponsors rejoice in the milestones reached by those they sponsor. With pride, Randy shared the story of one man from Burma who, just five years after arriving in Canada with no money, built and now owns his own home.
Stories like this are reminders that refugee sponsorship is not a one-directional act of charity. It is a shared journey that shapes both sponsors and newcomers in lasting ways.
Walking Together Through Challenge
The strength of these relationships became especially clear when the committee faced unexpected challenges while preparing to welcome a family* of five from a persecuted Burmese minority ethnic group. Due to global travel restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee anticipated a lengthy delay before the family would be able to travel. Then, unexpectedly, they received notice that the family would be arriving in just two weeks.
Those two weeks required intense coordination, prayer, and generosity. In a tight rental market, the committee found housing, repainted and furnished the home, and prepared it for the family’s arrival. They secured employment for the father, arranged transportation to and from work, and organized tutoring and ESL classes for both parents and children. Burmese-speaking members of the church community translated documents and helped prepare resources so the family could begin navigating life in Chatham.
The family arrived in Canada in September 2021.
When asked why the committee continues this work, Randy responded, “There is so much need in the world that it is almost overwhelming to think of. How can anyone make a difference? We cannot cure the problems of the world, but together, we do have the opportunity to totally turn around the lives of a few individuals—to make an incredible difference in the lives of some.”
How You Can Be Part of Refugee Welcome
Refugee sponsorship is one tangible way churches, communities, and individuals can respond to global displacement with compassion and action. Through World Renew’s refugee sponsorship program, Canadian churches can sponsor refugees directly, while individuals around the world can support this work through prayer, financial giving, and practical encouragement for those walking alongside sponsored families.
Together, small acts of faithfulness can lead to transformed lives—both for those seeking refuge and for the communities that open their doors to welcome them.
*To protect the family’s privacy, names have not been provided.
