New
Issue of "Unfinished" Magazine Describes On-the-Ground
Outreach.
Norcross,
GA, USA -- As the refugee crisis continues to grow, The Mission
Society is taking an in-depth look at the situation's complexities,
examining the issues facing Christians who feel called to help but
have misgivings about the process.
In
the summer edition of The Mission Society's magazine, Unfinished,
"Rediscovering hospitality: Getting serious about welcoming the
stranger," the outreach ministry looks at how Christians are
responding, while noting that "God is the God Who Helps."
"As
we look to help, many of us are afraid, afraid that we will all be
pulled under by the tremendous need," said Max Wilkins,
president and CEO of The Mission Society. "While God doesn't
expect any of us to help everyone in need, I know God has blessed us
to be a blessing.
"I
know God wants us to care for those who have been - or will be -
placed on our doorsteps," he said, adding that Amnesty
International found that 80 percent of the polled people in 27
countries would welcome refugees.
In
the magazine, Charlie and Miki Chastain, missionaries in Europe with
The Mission Society, describe their efforts to assist the refugees.
"A night spent volunteering in a refugee camp breaks through
apathy and emotional barriers we put up," wrote Charlie
Chastain. "When you look into the eyes of these individuals and
hear their stories, it becomes abundantly clear that these men, women
and children are not that different from us."
But
for others, the slow pace of resettlement is a source of frustration.
In Spain, few refugees have been allowed in by the national
government, despite urging from local officials and nonprofit groups.
"I'm sure that God's heart is sad," said missionary Laurie
Drum in Spain. "People whom He loves are standing at the door,
and we cannot open it. With our hands tied, we wait and pray for
solutions."
Jim
Ramsay, Vice President for Mission Ministries, also reflected on the
appropriate Christian approach. "As Christians, we are to seek
the heart of God in the midst of this unfolding story," he
wrote. "How God's people respond matters not only to the
physical and emotional needs of the refugee, but our response also
matters in how faithfully we are living into our identity as His
people."
The
summer issue of Unfinished also features ethicist and author
Christine Pohl, Ph.D., whose article "The Perils of
Hospitality," outlines seven risks to opening our lives to
others, particularly to those not like us. It's an important
practice. "A life of hospitality," she writes, "is
basic to what it means to be Jesus' disciples." The magazine
also tells the experiences of Christians in North America who helped
guide refugees through the complexities of Western society and
provides practical advice on how to become engaged in assisting
refugees through prayer, donation and personal involvement.
The
latest issue of Unfinished is available for free at
http://www.themissionsociety.org/unfinished-magazine.
Founded
in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, The Mission Society
(http://www.themissionsociety.org)
exists to mobilize and deploy the body of Christ globally to join
Jesus in His mission, especially among the least-reached peoples. The
Mission Society recruits, trains and sends Christian missionaries to
minister around the world. Its church ministry department provides
seminars, workshops and mentoring for congregations in the United
States and abroad, helping equip churches for outreach in their
communities and worldwide. The Mission Society has 180 missionaries
serving in 35 countries.
To
schedule an interview with a leader with The Mission Society, contact
Ty Mays @ 770-256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.
Media
Contact:
Ty
Mays
InChrist
Communications
770-256-8710
