CBFNC leaders join with other Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leaders in welcoming President Biden’s announcement that his administration will raise the refugee ceiling to 62,500 people this fiscal year and plans to set a goal of 125,000 refugee admissions for fiscal year 2022.
This decision comes following President Biden signing an emergency determination on April 16 that only sped-up refugee admissions that had been stalled for months, but did not increase the refugee limit.
CBF leaders previously joined the chorus of dismay from faith leaders about this initial decision to maintain the historically low number of 15,000 refugee admissions into the U.S. this fiscal year. After hearing this outrage, President Biden reversed course promising to announce by May 15 an increase to the number of refugee resettlements. Read the earlier statement from CBF Advocacy here.
“One of CBFNC’s signature ministries is Welcome House, aimed to offer the welcome of Christ to refugees, immigrants and other vulnerable people. It follows the mandate of Matthew 25, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me…’ We celebrate this step by our government to honor its pledge to raise the cap on refugee resettlements,” said Larry Hovis, CBFNC executive coordinator.
“These past several years with record low resettlement numbers reflect real people—moms, dads, children and senior adults who by no fault of their own have endured hardship and suffering,” said Kim New Wyatt, CBF field personnel and co-founder of Welcome House. “Despite this reality, we have witnessed Americans, neighbors, ready and willing to do whatever they can to help welcome the neglected refugee.”
Advocates and CBF Field Personnel have worked hard the last few months to implore the Biden administration to raise the number of refugee admissions. While waiting, teams of churches, community partners and individuals across North Carolina have been preparing to show the welcome of Jesus to new arrivals through the Welcome House ministry. Two apartments and Welcome House Raleigh were cleaned, furnished and stocked, just waiting for the next refugee occupants.
“The frustration, hard work, disappointment and discomfort we experienced over this policy issue pales in comparison with what refugee families have gone through. Each night we return home to our relatively comfortable and safe life. Now, praise God, more refugees who make it here will know that life too,” said Marc Wyatt, CBF field personnel and co-founder of Welcome House.
Just this week a refugee family of five moved into Welcome House Raleigh. “The house is alive with the sights and sounds of young children full of giggles and laughter. Barbara Best, a Hospitality Team member from Crabtree Valley Baptist in Raleigh read and played and giggled and sang with the children, while Welcome House staff provided a western house orientation and taught mom and dad how to cook potatoes for their family. So much to be thankful for,” said Carolyn McClendon, Welcome House Raleigh manager.
Read more on the CBF Global blog.
Learn more about CBFNC’s Welcome House ministry here.
Learn more about Welcome House Raleigh here.
