Church of God World Missions Directs Efforts to Address Mass Migrant Exodus
Church of God World Missions leaders, meeting this week with the leadership of the Church of God in Europe, CIS (the former countries of the Soviet Republics), and the Middle East, have been working diligently to craft a plan to address the mass migrant and refugee crisis that currently is facing Europe.
Dr. Timothy M. Hill, Director of Church of God World Missions, has emphasized that we must move prayerfully, intentionally, and expediently to address this humanitarian social exodus of tens of thousands of refugees and migrants. “The make-up and face of Europe will change literally in the next few months. Normally, a migration of this magnitude would occur over decades, not days or weeks. If we are going to be responsive as the church, we must act quickly and decisively. Every migrant and refugee, regardless of what they are fleeing and where they may ultimately end up, must know of the love of Christ, “noted Hill. “We cannot miss this opportunity to provide assistance and hope in the name of Jesus.”
Church of God World Missions and Church of God congregations across Europe are committed to take the following steps to assist the refugees and migrants:
- Distribute Relief Assistance– water, food, clothing, and transportation assistance, along with Church of God labeled literature on the Christian faith and information on our churches in Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, etc. will be handed out along the migration paths.
- Relocation Assistance – in areas where the migrants and refuges are settling, assimilation and humanitarian assistance will be offered as a way to open the door to share the Gospel with these new residents.
- Source Assistance – many of the migrants and refugees are fleeing vast refugee areas and camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Somalia because they have no hope for a brighter future. Efforts will be made to provide humanitarian assistance and spiritual guidance in those refugee camps.
“Each of the leaders of the Church of God across Europe, the former Soviet countries, and the Middle East have committed themselves to this massive effort. While many of the migrants and refugees are from countries where previously we could not freely tell them about the love of Jesus, they are now migrating into areas where those restrictions are not in place. So while we couldn’t reach them in their own country, God has brought them out so they can hear of His love. As a body of believers, we cannot miss this opportunity, ” concluded World Missions Director, Tim Hill.
To contribute to this effort, please make your contributions payable to Church of God World Missions, Project Number # 765-0056. Your prayers for the people of Europe are still vitally needed.
