We understand that this is a polarizing subject, especially welcoming Muslim Refugees and loving them as neighbors. Therefore, we have put together a list of resources that have helped shape our thoughts on how to love our neighbors.
Learn about the positive Return On Investment refugees make from a recent study and discover other facts in this article:
Fiscal Impact of Refugees: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F2Wt0NvSei2nIwH-PC7nTr6MPRbqcxm9/view
Additional Resource for Impact of Immigrants to Cultures: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/12/06/671879631/report-facts-about-migrants-dont-always-match-what-the-headlines-say
The Bible: 12% of evangelical Christians say that their views on immigration are primarily influenced by the Bible (LifeWay Research, 2015)
We are called to love the foreigner and provide for their needs (Hebrews 13:2) (Leviticus 25:35) (Deuteronomy 10:19) (Deuteronomy 14:29) (Leviticus 19:10) (1 Timothy 5:10) etc.
It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)
It is more honorable to love those in need than those who will repay you (Luke 6:31-36)
It is more desirable to be humble like a child than to be wise in your own eyes (Matthew 18:4 & Matthew 23)
We are called to be servants of others (Matthew 20:28)
We are all sinful and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23)
God gives eternal life to those who believe in him (John 3:16)
No one is righteous in accordance with the law; righteousness is freely and graciously given to us by God through faith in Jesus so that no one may boast (Romans 3)
Foreigners have a special place in God’s heart (3 John 1:5)
Books:
Cross-Cultural Servanthood by Duane Elmer
Generous Justice by Tim Keller
Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang Yang
Muslims, Christians and Jesus by Carl Medearis
The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher
Statistics:
42,500 people leave their homes per day due to persecution and conflicts (2014) http://www.unhcr.org/556725e69.html
- In 2013 it was 32,220
- In 2010 it was 10,900The number of people forced to flee their homes across the world has exceeded 50 million for the first time since the second world war (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/20/global-refugee-figure-passes-50-million-unhcr-report?CMP=share_btn_link)
Half the world's refugees are children (estimated 8 million) http://www.unhcr.org/556725e69.html
The US accpeted 69,987 refugees in 2014 ((http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL31269.pdf))
2287 refugees were placed in Colorado in 2014, with the top three countries represented being Iraq, Burma and Somalia ((http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251588901247))
Online Articles:
Refugee Process to USA: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/11/20/infographic-screening-process-refugee-entry-united-states
Selfie Culture: Check Your Motives for Loving Your Neighbor: http://www.craiggreenfield.com/blog/2016/selfieservice
Media:
The Foreigner Among Us by International Project (http://internationalproject.org/)