Anglican Church of North America
Matthew 25 Initiative
"Welcoming the Stranger"
The Anglican Church in North America, especially through the leadership of the Matthew 25 Initiative is poised to move more deeply and profoundly into refugee and immigrant ministry in the years to come.
However, in this current socio-political environment, befriending refugees and immigrants has become controversial and fraught with congregational and reputational risk. World Relief has been guiding congregations to do this very work for more than 45 years in the United States.
Many World Relief church partners are ACNA churches but until now we have not designed a national partnership which will together equip dozens more ACNA churches to boldly and skillfully follow the way of Jesus in “welcoming the stranger.”
Vision for Your Church
How can World Relief serve ACNA clergy and practitioners through Churches of Welcome?
Churches of Welcome is a growing movement of congregations committed to learning from and walking alongside our immigrant neighbors. We believe discipleship flourishes through relationships and proximity. Discipleship journeys are rarely a straight line—they’re complex, beautiful, and life-giving, as is each church's journey with Churches of Welcome.
At the heart of Churches of Welcome is the local church. Together, churches and their members step into the discipleship journey by learning, serving, building relationships, and welcoming their refugee and immigrant neighbors into the family of faith. For church leaders, Churches of Welcome is here to guide you as you equip your people to faithfully engage their immigrant and refugee neighbors in ways that form their faith and sharpens your church’s missional impact.
Hover over the dots on the map to learn more.
At the heart of Churches of Welcome is the local church. Together, churches and their members step into the discipleship journey by learning, serving, building relationships, and welcoming their refugee and immigrant neighbors into the family of faith. For church leaders, Churches of Welcome is here to guide you as you equip your people to faithfully engage their immigrant and refugee neighbors in ways that form their faith and sharpens your church’s missional impact.
Hover over the dots on the map to learn more.
What learning resources are available to ACNA parishes through Churches of Welcome?
What might a national partnership between World Relief and the ACNA/M25i look like?
- COACHING: 1:1 consultations to assess and develop a one-year plan
- CONVENING: quarterly virtual gatherings for clergy and practitioners
- COMMUNITY: online community for peer learning and resource exchange
What Membership Looks Like for Your Church
What other partnership benefits are available to ACNA churches?
- Together design a 2-3 year plan for mobilizing ACNA churches into refugee & immigrant ministry
- ACNA or local parishes invest $249 annually as members of Churches of Welcome
- Coaching, convening, online community and training resources for clergy & practitioners
- World Relief speakers provided for national or diocesan gatherings
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