Did you know that faith communities and volunteers working with World Renew help refugees find safety and rebuild their lives each year? This work is made possible through World Renew’s role in refugee sponsorship and the dedication of people who walk alongside newcomers as they begin again.

The Commitment Behind Welcome

“If a church is going to set up a refugee committee, you really need commitment,” says Gary, a member of the Refugee Committee at Peace Church* in Alberta. Becoming a sponsoring community involves time and sustained dedication, particularly from volunteers who can assist with a wide range of practical tasks.

“There’s so much paperwork, there’s applying for social insurance numbers, there’s setting up the home for the newcomers,” Gary explains. And this does not even include the documentation and advocacy work carried out by World Renew’s Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement team. So why invest so much time, energy, and care?

“People flee because they’re not safe in their own countries. They fear for their lives,” Gary says. Jacques* and his family know that fear all too well.

Forced to Flee

“Life in my home country was always difficult,” Jacques says. “Our country’s leadership began to defy the law. As I graduated in human rights law, I was supporting fellow citizens in their protests against the government.”

When violence escalated, protesters were shot in the streets near Jacques’ home. “They would run to my house and I was giving them food because they were doing the right thing,” he recalls. “But the militia came and asked me, ‘Who owns this house?’ Then they pulled their guns on me.”

Jacques had already seen two friends killed by militia members and believed he would be next. “They didn’t shoot me, thank God. But they did take me to jail.” For three weeks, Jacques was questioned and tortured. “I kept telling myself: ‘I’m lucky I didn’t get killed,’ but really, the torture felt worse than death.”

One evening, a police officer Jacques had known since high school came to see him. “I don’t know how God helped with this situation,” Jacques says. “By some miracle, the officer came back that evening and got me out of jail.” Jacques reunited with his wife and children, but remaining there put everyone at risk, including extended family. He knew he had to leave.

With the help of a friend from a neighbouring country, Jacques managed to cross the border. Although he was initially safer, militia continued to operate across borders, abducting people whose whereabouts remain unknown. “I’d just offered food and water to young people,” Jacques says. “I did nothing wrong.”

Finding Safety and a Future

Through a family connection to Peace Church, a sponsoring community was formed to support Jacques, his wife, and their three children. When they arrived, they were met with practical help, care, and a sense of security.

“Thanks to my experience, education, and multilingual ability, I now work for the federal government, in immigration and citizenship,” Jacques says. “I still have nightmares about what happened to me, but I’m really grateful to be here.”

For Gary, the work of welcoming refugees remains deeply meaningful. “It’s a wonderful way to serve God, to help people from around the world,” he says. “An exciting day at our church is when we bring a refugee family to the congregation and introduce them. The church has walked with us through the process. This is our way of serving God.”

*Names have been changed for security reasons