How?
How can we pursue the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” in our own communities?
How can we fulfill the Great Commandment to love God and our neighbor?
How can we welcome the stranger in our midst, and thus find our places on the right hand of the King at the Great Judgment?
How can we serve as faithful and wise stewards of the vast resources God has entrusted to us?
While there are many answers to these questions, one of the vital ways our fellowship is striving to be faithful to God’s calling to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God is through ministries to refugees, immigrants and newcomers to our state. Here is a remarkable story of one particular expression of this ministry.
A Brief History
But first, let me provide a brief history of this ministry area within CBFNC life.
Over two decades ago, to reach our state’s growing Hispanic population, CBFNC launched a ministry with people for whom Spanish is their first language. These ministries involved people from Mexico and many countries in Central and South America. They centered around church planting, pastor support and resourcing churches. Eventually, Red Latina (literally, Latino Network), became the official name of this important group within CBFNC life. Two staff members now lead this robust ministry.
In 2014, after my wife and I visited Marc and Kim Wyatt in Canada, CBF Global Missions leaders made our dreams come true by relocating the Wyatts to NC and partnering with us to expand ministries to refugees, immigrants and internationals, originally focusing on the Triangle. In spite of changing federal immigration policies through the years, this ministry has continued to grow. A key avenue of this ministry involves hospitality and housing under the banner of “Welcome House.”
Over the last ten years, multiple waves of refugees have come to the United States from the greater Middle East. Many have come to North Carolina. Some of them have been led by the Lord into the ministry of partner congregations through Welcome House. As a result, at least three new churches have been started.
The Extraordinary Story
This is the story of “R.,” a Christian woman from the Middle East. Her name has been abbreviated for her protection.
The Wyatts met R. through another Christian from the same region who was a guest of Welcome House Raleigh in 2022. Fleeing religious persecution, R. and her brothers made their way from their home country to the United States while they waited for their immigration interview according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection process. They followed instructions to enter the U.S. legally. All were detained. The brothers were released after a month. For some reason, R. was not released like her brothers, but was processed and sent to a detention center in another state.
A legal aid fund was established for R. A prayer team was formed that involved many CBF partner congregations in the greater Raleigh area, plus others outside NC, including: Trinity, Oxford, First Raleigh, St. John’s, Greystone and Wake Forest. The team prayed throughout the process but specifically during each immigration hearing. The judge and R.’s lawyer were prayed for by name. In the event she was released, a transportation plan was developed that included the Wyatts and CBF churches between her place of detention and North Carolina. Kenneth and Lisa Rust of the Rust Family Foundation, which owns an airplane, offered assistance.
After fifteen months in detention, those prayers were answered. R. won her case. She was released one week later. Marc called on the Rusts, and a flight plan was developed in record time. They left Raleigh with R.’s brother, made a five-hour flight, picked up R., and made it home within 24 hours of being notified of her release. R. and her brothers were able to celebrate Christmas with the Wyatts.
CBF churches have been at the forefront of ministry to R. and her family, providing medical and dental aid, counseling and ESL classes. R. attends the young adult fellowship at a partner church. A new Christian from this people group has been baptized. The body of Christ is growing, and Christian community is being developed involving both refugees and Americans.
The story of R., while extraordinary, is not unique. The Christians and churches who are part of the Welcome Network are providing similar ministries to other immigrants and refugees.
Marc Wyatt testifies, “In thirty years of ministry with refugees and immigrants, the experience of helping this young woman reunite with her family has profoundly affected me like no other. Her story is nothing short of a divine miracle.”
It is indeed an extraordinary story of Welcome, Cooperation and Stewardship.
Why?
Other than the humanitarian aspect of this situation, why would our fellowship go to so much trouble for one woman from a foreign country?
Because we seek to be obedient to Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
Because we strive to follow Jesus’ Great Commandment to love God and our neighbors with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
Because we take seriously Christ’s teaching in the Great Judgment to welcome the stranger, for in doing so, we welcome Christ.
Because we want to be faithful and wise stewards of all that God has entrusted to us—our prayers, our friendship, our support, even our airplanes!—and the greatest resource of all, the Good News of God’s love for all people in Jesus Christ.
Larry Hovis is the executive coordinator of CBFNC.
