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The Mission Society’s Dr. Duane Brown, senior director of church ministry, and Steve Wilson, senior director of international mobilization, attended the GC2 Summit on the refugee crisis on January 20, 2016. The Summit sought to bring together Christian leaders from around the country and affirm local churches and Christian non-profits as they reach out to refugees entering the US.

At the Summit, Christian leaders drafted a statement that was then signed by attendees. The Mission Society’s president and CEO, the Rev. Max Wilkins, signed the statement as well, committing The Mission Society to help refugees adjust to life in the US.

“For many Christians and churches in the US, there is a large gap between awareness and action regarding the refugee crisis. Some people really want to help, but do not know how,” said Wilson.

Several Mission Society missionaries are on the front lines of the crisis and have worked directly with refugees in Europe. The Mission Society staff members have formed a team to help resettle a refugee family in the Atlanta area.

The Summit hosted a telecast, during which leading evangelical speakers working with refugees gave practical advice to attendees regarding how to assist refugees in their communities and internationally. Speakers included, Rich Stearns, president of World Vision; Stephan Bauman, president of World Relief; Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willowcreek Community Church; Ed Stetzer, president of Lifeway Research; and Jenny Yang, vice president of advocacy and policy for World Relief.

Part of the GC2 Summit statement read:

Impacting nearly 60 million people, the global refugee emergency is a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented size. Never have so many people been recorded as being displaced, put in danger, and sent on the move. In Syria alone, more than 13 million children and their parents need humanitarian aid. Nearly 4.4 million have been forced to flee to neighboring countries for safety.

Moments like these are when Christians cannot remain silent and still. In light of this crisis, we commit ourselves and our churches to actively care for and minister to global refugees with mercy and compassion, both here and abroad, based on God’s compelling concern for all people in need and especially refugees.

In light of these concerns, we affirm the following:
• Refugees possess the image of God and, as such, are infinitely valuable to God and to us.
• We are commanded to love our neighbor, and it is our privilege to love refugees.
• As Christians, we must care sacrificially for the refugee, the foreigner, and the stranger.
• We will motivate and prepare our churches and movements to care for refugees.
• We will not be motivated by fear but by love for God and others.
• Christians are called to grace-filled and humble speech about this issue.

In light of these Christian principles, we cannot allow voices of fear to dominate. Instead, we commit to actions of love and compassion for refugees who have been admitted into our nation(s) in refugee status.

For more information about the GC2 Summit, visit http://www.gc2summit.com/statement/.