Resources

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 10,900

• The 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/)