A MINISTRY TOOL KIT FOR CHURCHES
Caring for Immigrants
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 18-19
MINISTRY PARTNERS
World Relief, Evangelical Immigration Table, & Abara
Caring for our Immigrant neighbor is big and beautiful work, and in this toolkit we will point you to many resources from trusted organizations who are already doing this work so well. We are grateful to World Relief, Abara, & Evangelical Immigration Table, and others, for sharing their resources, insight, and wisdom with us.
VISION
God is a migrant God. Jesus left his home to journey to our broken planet “without a place to rest his head” in order to make us a home and be our refuge. As Christians and Anglicans we are called to draw near to immigrants and refugees both in our neighborhoods and around the world. When we welcome the stranger, we are entertaining angels unawares.
But the call of loving and serving our refugee neighbor can feel daunting and overwhelming. Our vision is to help churches across the ACNA create a culture of care and consideration for immigrant families and individuals; to welcome and support in ways that are truly helpful and full of dignity. We pray this Tool Kit is a valuable resource to you as you walk in this calling.
DATA & STATS
STORIES
HOW TO DO IT
Pray. Discern. Is God calling you to begin work and advocacy for immigrant neighbors?
Learn. What is the need in your church? In your community? Begin reading through the articles and resources in this tool kit and work on approaching this ministry with a posture to learn and understand, rather than the idea that you already “know what’s best.”
Gather. Pull together a small group of people with hearts for immigration care.
Plan. Think through the details. Who will play what roles? When and where will you meet? What will your focus be?
Take the first step, and then another. Caring for and welcoming our neighbor isn’t a “one and done” experience. It is on-going. Taking even the first small step – and then continuing to take faithful step after step – will be part of the process. Be ready to step in faith and keep walking.
DOWNLOAD RESOURCES
TIPS & IDEAS
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It goes without saying that the topic of immigration is a complex one, fraught with controversy and confusion. This is true both inside the church and out. Start by teaching yourself and others about “compassionate, Biblical welcome toward immigrants.” We are grateful for our friends at World Relief for these teaching and preaching resources. Use them with your small group, your teams, your staff, or your entire congregation.
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World Relief has created practical online courses to help you learn what the Bible has to say about immigration, get support for challenges you may face, and build skills to support immigrants as they integrate into life in the United States. Click here to learn more.
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Our friends and partners at EIT remind us that, “While immigration is certainly a political, social and economic issue, it’s also a biblical issue.” They’ve created a resource to help Christians grow in their biblical literacy as related to the theme of immigration. Gather up your group – or encourage your entire church to participate – and start the 40-day “I Was a Stranger” Challenge.”
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An Abara Border Encounter – also known as a “Listening Trip” – is a 3-day “educational immersion experience designed for students, faith leaders, and groups.” Learn more and sign up here.
GET OTHERS INVOLVED
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Immigration Primer
Learn how the immigration system works
The Stranger
45-minute documentary film
A Guide to Respectful Conversations
From Evangelical Immigration Table
Matthew 25 Initiative Whitepaper
Immigration
Anglicans on the Streets
Rev. David Hanke - Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
Why We Welcome
The Top 5 Immigration Myths Debunked
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Involvement in immigration outreach reflects Christ’s call to care for the stranger and marginalized (Matthew 25:35). It offers your congregation a practical way to demonstrate love, grow in cultural understanding, and live out the gospel in a tangible way. Immigration outreach also presents opportunities for discipleship as your members practice hospitality and advocacy for justice.
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Start small and build gradually:
Partner with local organizations: Collaborate with established ministries or non-profits serving immigrants in your area.
Focus on relationships: Invite immigrant families or individuals in your community to share meals, join events, or attend church services.
Leverage existing programs: Incorporate immigration outreach into existing ministries such as food pantries, ESL classes, or mentoring programs.
Educate your congregation: Host a discussion series or book study to raise awareness about immigration issues. See the resources in this Toolkit.
We would first recommend you begin with the Living Isa58 Course as that will provide common language and a process for discernment that is fruitful after learning and reviewing guiding principles and best practices for outreach ministry. The unity and learning that this course provides has big dividends when moving into specific arenas of outreach.
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• Local organizations and service providers: Reach out to refugee resettlement agencies, legal clinics, or community centers.
• Schools: Partner with schools that serve a high percentage of immigrant families.
• Neighborhood networks: Engage with local immigrant-owned businesses or cultural centers.
• Word of mouth: Ask congregation members if they know of immigrant families or individuals who might need support.
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• Start with scripture: Highlight biblical teachings on welcoming the stranger (e.g., Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Hebrews 13:2).
• Share stories: Invite immigrants to share their personal experiences during a service or church event.
• Provide education: Host workshops or panel discussions to dispel myths and build understanding.
• Encourage dialogue: Create spaces where members can ask questions and express concerns in a respectful environment.
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We recommend these resources from World Relief
FAQ’S
Need more help? Have a suggestion for this tool kit?
We’d love to connect with you!
Send us an email and someone from our team will get back to you!
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