Introduction
Evangelical congregations have been on the frontlines of refugee resettlement and immigrant engagement in the U.S. for generations. Increasingly, many congregations in the United States engage and more would like to engage immigrants and immigration, but the process can be intimidating.
In this report we focus on how churches, leaders, and parishioners are responding to these issues and how churches are inviting parishioners to get involved. We consider examples of how congregations grow in community and discipleship through this involvement. Our findings confirm that these efforts have and continue to make a difference. Engagement has helped lead to the transformation of churches, communities, and immigrants.
Findings, Analysis and Recommendations
included in the PDF reports
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Executive Summary
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Overview of Findings
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Full Report
Methods
This report is drawn from a multi-year, multi-disciplinary (anthropology, spiritual formation, sociology, and political science) research project with World Relief. In 2023 and 2024 we conducted focus groups, surveys, and interviews of church leaders in our five carefully selected regions of Chicago, Memphis, Sacramento, Spokane, and Upstate, S.C.
World Relief and Churches of Welcome are deeply grateful for the leadership and research findings provided by this amazing team! We believe these essential discoveries will serve to bring new insights and innovations as more and more congregations follow Jesus in "welcoming the stranger".
