Churches of Welcome

-Curricula: Welcoming the Stranger, No Longer Strangers, A World on the Move 

-Training and coaching for pastors, lay leaders, and volunteers 

-Toolkits on legal aid, rapid response, advocacy, and community engagement 

-Grants and networking opportunities 

-Partnership connections to local organizations and national advocacy campaigns 

Churches of Welcome includes churches across denominations, sizes, and locations—urban, suburban, and rural. Some are deeply engaged in immigrant ministry; others are just beginning to explore. Whether your church serves a diverse congregation or is seeking to learn more, Churches of Welcome is built to meet you where you are.

Yes. Churches of Welcome can help your church grow in biblical understanding, discipleship, and practical advocacy—even if immigrants aren't currently present in your neighborhood. It can even help you expand your vision for global missions. Many churches start by learning, praying, and preparing before opportunities to engage arise.

Churches often start with: 

• Hosting a small group using Welcoming the Stranger or No Longer Strangers 
• Offering ESL and English Conversation programming 
• Partnering with local organizations to support immigrant families 
• Hosting a “Know Your Rights” event or community legal aid clinic 
• Sending members on border immersion or exposure trips

Churches can start small. Churches of Welcome offers low-barrier options like resources for a discussion or sermon, a one-time workshop, a 6-week small group, or a seasonal service project. The goal is long-term transformation, but it starts with manageable first steps.

• Curricula: Welcoming the Stranger, No Longer Strangers, A World on the Move 
• Training and coaching for pastors, lay leaders, and volunteers 
• Toolkits on legal aid, rapid response, advocacy, and community engagement 
• Grants and networking opportunities 
• Partnership connections to local organizations and national advocacy campaigns

Not yet. Churches of Welcome understands the deep and felt need for translated products and services and are working towards this in the future.

Churches of Welcome centers the Scriptures, not politics or policies. All resources focus on biblical hospitality, justice, and compassion. World Relief, and by extension Churches of Welcome, is intentionally a non-partisan organization and is the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals. Many churches find this framework helps them move forward even in politically sensitive settings.

Yes. Churches of Welcome supports peer learning through coaching cohorts, regional networks, curated introductions, and encourage Churches of Welcome to engage each other as often as helpful. 

• Reach out to your World Relief contact or fill out the interest form 
• Schedule a consultation to assess your church’s goals and context 
• Choose one next step—host a course, form a team, or join a cohort 
• Explore World Relief’s resources and let us help you build momentum 

It’s about loving our neighbors as Jesus did. Scripture calls us to welcome the stranger and seek justice for the vulnerable.

World Relief is intentionally non-partisan. Churches of Welcome is rooted in scripture, not policy. We focus on the church’s role in compassion and discipleship.

Yes. Many immigrants are present but overlooked. Even if they aren’t near you yet, preparing your church is valuable.

From the Old Testament to Jesus’s own refugee story, scripture repeatedly commands hospitality and justice.

Absolutely. Many churches integrate this into local outreach, missions, youth ministry, or small groups.

Read Welcoming the Stranger, invite a World Relief speaker, or attend an online webinar to learn more.

Begin with story and scripture. Churches of Welcome can provide non-confrontational, Christ-centered ways to introduce the topic. Check out our Church Leader Guide which speaks specifically to this concern.

No. You can take one step at a time. Churches of Welcome is designed to grow with your church’s readiness and context.

Churches of all sizes and denominations participate. If you care about biblical justice, this is for you.

Contact Churches of Welcome for a no-pressure consultation. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you discern next steps.

Start with a small group study like Welcoming the Stranger or host a listening session in your community.

That’s okay. Begin with awareness and discipleship. World Relief can help connect you with local partners when you’re ready.

Churches of Welcome focuses on biblical hospitality and compassion—not politics. You can lead with scripture and lived witness.

Yes. Many churches start with a one-time event, a prayer night, or serving with a local partner.

Anyone with a heart for hospitality can start. A small team of volunteers or a missions/outreach leader is often the most common.

Start with stories. Share a testimony, show a video, or invite a guest speaker. Personal stories often open hearts.

Churches of Welcome provides courses, webinars, toolkits, coaching calls, and resource guides—many are free and easily accessible.

Many communities are changing or already include under-recognized immigrant groups. Start learning and praying now.

You don’t need to launch a big ministry—just integrate hospitality into what you already do (e.g., small groups, meals, service days).

Can Churches of Welcome help us build a local partnership?

Consider expanding into areas like legal aid, housing solutions, advocacy, or mentorship for other churches.

Yes. World Relief offers occasional micro-grants. There are also additional external grants to support the work. Ask your contact for current opportunities.

Yes. Peer mentoring is a core strategy. We’d love to connect you with emerging churches in your region.

World Relief can connect you with case studies and coaching on scalable models like host homes or community partnerships.

Build in regular rhythms of rest, prayer, and shared leadership. World Relief can help facilitate peer learning around sustainability.

World Relief can offer training or referrals for rapid response, know-your-rights education, and legal partnerships.

Use curricula like No Longer Strangers, Welcoming the Stranger, or A World on the Move for small groups, plus invite them to Churches of Welcome coaching calls.

World Relief can provide reflection tools, storytelling templates, and support with reporting outcomes to funders or your congregation.

Yes. World Relief can help you mobilize your church in biblically grounded, nonpartisan advocacy at the local or national level.

Let’s schedule a consultation to map your current work, celebrate it, and identify strategic next steps together.