Christians should have a “biblically informed perspective” on refugees

Days after President Donald Trump issued the executive order that bans the entry of Syrian refugees into the USA, the World Evangelical Alliance called governments to “honour the international agreements” when dealing with refugees.

In a statement, the WEA mentions the Human Rights Convention and the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, but also gives biblical reasons to “actively seek the welfare of refugees”.

THE BIBLE’S “CLEAR TEACHING” ON REFUGEES

“We therefore call upon the worldwide body of Christ to reflect the heart of God and to actively love and welcome refugees”.

PASTORS CALLED TO “DEEPEN BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING”

The WEA says Christians cannot ignore the challenges refugees around the world face. “We call upon Christian leaders and pastors to deepen their biblical understanding of forced displacement and to intentionally minister in ways intended to create space in the hearts and minds of others for refugees.”

“We call upon Christians everywhere to pursue a biblically informed perspective of forced displacement and to actively seek the welfare of refugees”.

PRAYING FOR WISDOM

The statement also calls Christians to pray.

“Recognizing that the global refugee crisis is putting great pressure on governments, we call upon Christians to pray for wisdom for government leaders involved in refugee-related policy-making”.

The statement (read here) is signed by Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA;  Christine MacMillan, Associate Secretary General for Public Engagement who heads up WEA’s Refugee Task Force; and Tom Albinson, WEA Ambassador for Refugees, Displaced and Stateless People.

EVANGELICAL EXPERTS WORK TOGETHER

In the last days, other evangelical organisations have expressed their views on how countries should work in favour of asylum seekers.

In Europe, the Refugee Highway Partnership will gather churches, organisations and refugee workers in Hungary to discuss solutions and develop partnerships to better serve asylum seekers in the continent.