In today’s world, the refugee crisis is one of the most urgent humanitarian issues of our time. Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or disaster. These individuals often arrive in new countries with little more than trauma, uncertainty, and hope for safety. In the midst of such upheaval, the Church has an extraordinary opportunity: to share the love and hope of Christ with those who have lost everything.

This is not about taking advantage of vulnerable people. It is about meeting real human needs—spiritual, emotional, and physical—with the compassion and truth of the Gospel. Here are several key principles for sharing Christ with refugees in ways that honor their dignity and reflect the heart of God.

1. See Refugees Through God’s Eyes

Scripture is filled with God’s concern for the foreigner, the displaced, and the oppressed. From the Israelites’ own history of exile to Jesus Himself being a refugee in Egypt, the Bible calls believers to care deeply for those on the margins.

Before sharing Christ with refugees, we must first see them not as a crisis, but as people—made in the image of God, worthy of love and welcome.

2. Build Trust Before You Preach

Trauma, displacement, and loss often create barriers of fear and mistrust. Before refugees are ready to hear the message of Christ, they often need to experience the love of Christ through actions. Simple acts of kindness—offering meals, helping with paperwork, teaching language skills, or being a consistent friend—can open hearts to deeper conversations.

Gospel witness must begin with presence and patience. It’s not a race to convert; it’s a journey of showing God’s love through relationship.

3. Honor Culture and Background

Refugees come from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. It’s essential to approach them with sensitivity and respect. This means listening more than talking, learning their stories, and avoiding assumptions.

Sharing Christ does not require dismissing someone’s past, but inviting them to explore a relationship with Jesus in a way that honors their dignity and identity. The Gospel transcends culture—it meets people where they are and calls them to new life.

4. Point to Hope in Suffering

Many refugees are struggling with deep grief and confusion. The Gospel offers a unique and powerful message: a Savior who knows suffering, who was Himself rejected, and who brings hope in the midst of despair. Sharing Christ means pointing to the One who walks with the brokenhearted and promises eternal peace.

Testimonies of God’s faithfulness—both biblical and personal—can help refugees see that their pain is not the end of the story.

5. Be Part of a Holistic Mission

Jesus cared for both the soul and the body. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the outcast. Sharing Christ with refugees should include both spiritual guidance and practical support.

Churches and believers can be powerful agents of holistic ministry by partnering with local organizations, advocating for refugee rights, providing shelter or resources, and creating spaces for worship, healing, and community.

6. Trust the Work of the Holy Spirit

Conversion is never the result of human pressure or persuasion. It is the Holy Spirit who opens hearts and draws people to Jesus. Our role is to love, to serve, to speak truth gently, and to be ready to give an answer when asked.

Sometimes, seeds planted in hardship bear fruit years later. Trusting God's timing is essential in refugee ministry.

Drawing Near to Jesus

Sharing Christ with refugees is not a political act—it is a deeply spiritual one. It is the Church stepping into pain with compassion, offering not just temporary aid, but eternal hope. It is a reflection of the Gospel itself: God reaching out to us in our lostness and welcoming us home.

As we open our arms and hearts to refugees, we live out the mission of Jesus. And in doing so, we may find that we are also changed—drawn deeper into the heart of God and reminded again of what it means to be strangers welcomed by grace.

Want to learn more about how you can love and support refugees? Check out our "Habits of a Global Christian" below!