Welcoming the stranger in a time of political division

Why the Church's Response to Refugees Is a Gospel Issue

Few issues in recent years have generated as much political debate as immigration and asylum. Headlines about small boats, border security, visa restrictions and asylum accommodation dominate our news feeds and shape public opinion. It can be difficult to separate compassion from politics.

Yet for followers of Jesus, our response to refugees and people seeking asylum is not first and foremost a political question. It is a biblical one.

Long before governments debated immigration policy, God spoke clearly about His heart for the foreigner, the stranger and the displaced. Throughout Scripture, we see a God who welcomes, protects and provides for those forced to leave their homes. As His people, we are called to reflect that same welcome.

A World on the Move

The global refugee crisis is one of the defining humanitarian challenges of our generation.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), by the end of 2024 more than 123 million people had been forcibly displaced by war, persecution and violence. Over 42 million of these were refugees who had crossed international borders in search of safety.

The vast majority never reach Europe. Around three-quarters remain in low- and middle-income countries, often in neighbouring nations already facing significant economic challenges.

In comparison, the UK's share is relatively small. More than 85,000 asylum applications were made in the year to March 2025, representing just over 109,000 people seeking protection. Despite public perception, the UK ranks only seventeenth in Europe for asylum applications per head of population.

Behind every statistic, however, is a person.

A father who fled conflict. A mother protecting her children. A student escaping persecution. A child who has known more fear than freedom.

When these individuals arrive in our towns and cities, they are no longer distant headlines—they become our neighbours.

God's Heart for the Stranger

The Bible's teaching on welcoming strangers is remarkably consistent. From Genesis to Revelation, God repeatedly calls His people to show compassion to those who are far from home.

In Leviticus, God instructed Israel:

"The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34)

Israel's own history shaped this command. Having experienced slavery, displacement and rescue, they were never to forget what it meant to be strangers themselves.

Again, in Deuteronomy, God says:

"Love the foreigner, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:19)

This was not simply an act of kindness. It was an expression of God's own character. The previous verse tells us that God "loves the foreigner, giving them food and clothing" (Deuteronomy 10:18). God's people were called to mirror His heart.

The New Testament deepens this picture.

Soon after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary fled with Him to Egypt to escape King Herod's violence. Before He could walk or speak, Jesus experienced life as a refugee.

Later, Jesus identified Himself with the vulnerable in one of His most challenging teachings:

"I was a stranger and you invited me in." (Matthew 25:35)

Our welcome of strangers becomes an act of worship. The way we treat those seeking refuge reflects something profound about our relationship with Christ Himself.

The writer of Hebrews captures this beautifully:

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers..." (Hebrews 13:2)

The Greek word translated "hospitality" is philoxenia—literally "love of the stranger".

Christian hospitality goes far beyond offering refreshments after a church service. It is the intentional practice of welcoming those who are unfamiliar, vulnerable and alone.

When Welcome Changes Lives

This vision lies at the heart of Welcome Churches.

Our vision is simple: every refugee welcomed by the local church.

Today, almost 1,500 churches across the UK are part of the Welcome Network, creating places where refugees and people seeking asylum can find friendship, practical support and genuine belonging.

Last year alone, these churches welcomed more than 18,000 refugees.

Some offer English conversation groups. Others provide help navigating local services.

Many organise community meals, children's activities or friendship groups. All seek to offer something increasingly rare in today's world: a place where people are known, valued and loved.

One inspiring example comes from Bradford:

Pete's Place, an outreach run by a local Anglican church, combines a community café with a low-cost food pantry. Every Wednesday, volunteers and local residents gather over coffee before opening the pantry to members of the community, including several Iranian asylum seekers living nearby.

Initially, these men came simply to receive food. Over time, something changed.

They began helping unload deliveries, lifting heavy crates and preparing food parcels. Their willingness to serve became essential to the smooth running of the pantry.

Those who first arrived needing help became indispensable members of the team.

The morning ends with a shared hot meal, where volunteers, staff and visitors eat together as equals. Afterwards, many of the Iranian volunteers stay for a Farsi Bible study.

This is the Kingdom of God in action. Welcome is no longer one-directional.

It becomes friendship, partnership and shared community.

Beyond Politics

It would be naïve to ignore the challenges surrounding migration.

Governments have legitimate responsibilities to manage borders, process asylum claims fairly and steward public resources wisely. These are important matters requiring careful policy and informed debate.

But while governments determine immigration policy, the Church's calling remains unchanged. We are called to love our neighbour. To welcome the stranger. To care for the vulnerable.

Fear often dominates public conversation—fear of economic pressure, cultural change or insecurity. The gospel invites us to respond differently:

Not with fear, but with faith. Not with suspicion, but with compassion. Not because every political question has an easy answer, but because every human being is made in the image of God.

The Power of an Invitation

Sometimes, a simple invitation changes everything.

Aisha (not her real name) arrived in the UK from Pakistan knowing little about British culture or Christianity. Although she identified culturally as Muslim, faith played little part in her life. A Christian friend regularly invited her to church, but she always declined.

One day, Aisha needed a lift to another event. Her friend agreed—but explained they would first be attending church. Reluctantly, Aisha accepted. As she walked through the church doors, she encountered something she had never expected. She experienced God's presence. She was overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome she received. She returned the following week. Then again the week after. Only a few weeks later, Aisha gave her life to Jesus Christ. It all began with hospitality.

Every Church Can Make a Difference

Not every church can solve the global refugee crisis, but every church can welcome someone.

Imagine if every congregation in the UK intentionally welcomed just a handful of refugees or people seeking asylum. Isolation would diminish. Friendships would flourish. Communities would become richer. The gospel would be seen as well as heard. Churches themselves would be transformed, discovering afresh the beauty of God's global family.

A Quiet but Powerful Witness

In a divided world, the Church has an opportunity to offer something radically different. Not louder arguments. Not stronger opinions. But open doors. Shared meals. Listening ears. Practical support. Authentic friendship.

This is the quiet, powerful witness of the gospel. When we welcome the stranger, we reflect the God who welcomed us in Christ. As Paul reminds us:

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7)

May our churches become places where refugees discover not only safety but family; not only practical help but hope; not only kindness but the transforming love of Jesus.

Because for Christians, the stranger at the door is never just a stranger; they are our neighbour. They bear the image of God.

How You Can Respond

Every one of us can play a part in extending God's welcome. We can pray for refugees and people seeking asylum rebuilding their lives in the UK.

We can discover how your church can become a place of welcome, inclusion, and healing.

If your church has not yet joined the Welcome Network, we'd love to help you take that step. Membership is free, and together we can ensure that every refugee has the opportunity to find friendship, belonging and hope through the local church.

If you would like to know more about Welcome Churches, please visit www.welcomechurches.org, or click here to connect with us, and explore supporting the work of Welcome Churches.

Join Us in Prayer

For refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK: that they would find safety, friendship and hope as they rebuild their lives, and that they would know the love of Christ through those they meet.

For churches: that they would become places where strangers are welcomed, neighbours become friends, and everyone is treated with the dignity that comes from bearing God's image.

For our communities: that where there is fear or division, God would bring understanding, peace and opportunities to build relationships across cultures and backgrounds.

For those making decisions: that governments and public authorities would exercise wisdom, justice and compassion as they respond to those seeking protection.

For the Church's witness: that our words and actions would reflect the welcome we have received in Christ, so that many would encounter His hope, His family and His transforming love.

Join Us in Person

Our 2026 Welcome Conference will take place in Stafford on 16-17 October 2026. It's a 2-day residential gathering, celebrating the contribution refugees and people seeking asylum make to the UK Church. Find out more.