The Foresee News from the CCCC November 2015

Around the World

World Relief Christmas Offering to Aid Refugees

By Grace Man, CCCC Liaison with World Relief

As part of our ongoing relationship, CCCC has decided to partner with World Relief this Christmas to respond to the escalating Syrian refugee crisis. World Relief’s journey began over 70 years ago when churches in the U.S. responded to meet the urgent humanitarian needs arising out of Europe following the end of World War II. Once again, we are seeing a groundswell of Christians responding compassionately in the midst of the growing Syrian refugee crisis.

WR-Jesus-refugee“Peace on earth, goodwill to men….” Christmas is a time when we reflect on peace, joy, and the comfort and hope of the familiar. And yet, for so many, Christmas is not any of these things. Imagine how Mary and Joseph felt as they had to flee to Egypt for the safety of their child, Jesus. Surely they were frightened, exhausted, and uncertain of what was in store for them. We read the refugee story of our Savior and it’s easy to replace it with the story of a modern refugee family. Today’s refugees are victims of persecution, violence, injustice. Families are moving not simply to better their lives, but to literally save their lives.
Today, nearly 12 million refugees have been displaced by the crisis; 7.6 million within Syria and 3.8 million displaced in neighboring countries. About half of those displaced are children. As followers of Jesus, we are compelled to act!
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
To end the refugee crisis, the Church must lead the way.
At this Christmas season church leaders around the country are equipping their congregations to follow Jesus’ example by welcoming the stranger and serving the most vulnerable – an opportunity to stand against violence, persecution, and injustice by practicing radical hospitality. Through the message of “Born Unto Us: Jesus the Refugee,” you can mobilize your church to make a difference in the U.S. and around the world.
World Relief is working with local churches and organizations to provide urgently needed relief in Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq. At this critical time we are meeting practical needs, providing: supplies, temporary shelters, hygiene items, trauma therapy for women and children, and more.
World Relief Germany is working to train and equip churches to welcome the massive influx of refugees into Europe.
In addition, World Relief continues to empower local churches to resettle refugees here in the United States, a critical ministry we have been leading for more than 35 years. Many refugees have come to the U.S. as a direct result of the Syrian Crisis and many more are expected in the coming months.

“Born Unto Us: Jesus the Refugee” provides resources for your church, including:

  • Sermon notes and guides
  • Social media templates
  • Bulletin templates
  • A one minute video
  • Web banners… And more…

Now is the time to partner together and share the hope of Christ to the most vulnerable throughout the Christmas season. Please visit our website to sign your church up to be part of this special Christmas offering, and you will receive a link to our Dropbox folder of resources for you to use. This folder is still being updated, so be sure to check it regularly for our most updated resources.

Print This Page