"...what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness..." Micah 6:8
Every week on Sunday mornings we talk about blessing and serving others when we welcome people and share our vision...our reason for gathering. Our refugee ministry is a clear action step of living out what we say we believe.
SEPT 2023 UPDATE: Good news! The refugee family we have been praying for and supporting for the past 2 years are now in their final stages of being approved to come to Canada and will hopefully arrive soon! Upon arrival they will need immediate temporary housing as well as long term (at least 1 year) housing. ECC has committed to finding housing and financially supporting them during this first year, among other details.
Can we ask you to begin praying now, asking God if this is something He is calling you to be a part of?
- Maybe you have space that is available on a short term basis while long term housing is sought after?
- Maybe you have or are aware of long term housing?
- Maybe you would want to be part of helping them learn the bus system?
- Or helping them learn how to shop?
- Or helping learn English?
How may God be calling all of us to be part of this opportunity to bless someone?
Sponsorship Overview 2022
Over the past few years year, ECC members have generously given to support families who have re-settled in the Vancouver area. We also continue to support the good work of Journey Home Community. Members of our refugee ministry committee continue to evaluate and consider various needs and opportunities as we seek to obey Jesus' command to "care for the stranger." (Matthew 25:44-45).
Now, as part of our ministry to refugees, E
CC has begun the process of sponsoring a single mom and her 3 year old son who come from the east African country of Eritrea.
They have been living as a refugee in neighbouring Sudan since September of 2018. That’s a long time to live as a refugee. And it’s not safe for her at all. Few of us know what life is like as a refugee but all of us know what it's like to have freedom, food, shelter and safety. She and her son have very little of that.
We are working with World Renew in this sponsorship. World Renew is one of a handful of Canadian agencies that have been granted a sponsorship agreement by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This sponsorship agreement allows churches or groups in Canada to sponsor refugees through World Renew. They are experts at this and have been helping us with all the details; helping us to cross our T’s and dot our I’s.
Over the past year, our participation has involved prayers, money, a ton of research and paperwork. Once they arrive, things will really step up. We will be their sole providers for their first year here in Canada. Housing, medical, food, transportation….everything.