We can intentionally shape what we do as churches or other organizations to include recently arrived refugees and those separated by ethnicity, language, and religion from knowing God. Consider what you are already involved in like children’s clubs, health programs, or community services. Then ask God to show you what He could do through you to extend it to the least-reached nearby.
It is very easy to not even notice people who are different from us and outside our network. Though Jewish, Jesus had an eye for Romans, Samaritans, and others. He wants to open our eyes to the least-reached from other countries. Explore these resources to find out who is near you. Pray that God will lead you to befriend someone He is longing to care for.
Some people from other countries may seem wary of strangers but usually they are very open to someone who is friendly to them first. When you are at a store, walking in a park, or wherever you go.
Be the first one to smile, say hello, and ask question with an interested spirit. You might ask: Do you speak any other language besides English? How do you say ‘thank you’ in your language? Have you always lived in America? Where did you live before coming here? Tell me about your country back home. What was it like? How is it different from here?
Explore many more questions
If the person you meet seems open to an ongoing friendship, exchange contact information. Soon you can suggest a way to meet again. You might say something like,"I'd really like to learn more about your country, culture and language, could we get together again?" Then choose a place to meet.
Share also about your life, perhaps showing pictures. Text, phone, and get together enough to build a friendship through various activities.
As you get better acquainted you will learn a lot about their lives and their family back in the country they came from. You may learn of significant needs.
Don't be afraid that you need to be the answer to everything. Instead, seek to connect them to ministries and organizations that can help them. They have lost their network, but you are connected to many people that might help.
Tell your friend that you do not have the answers, but God does. Pray with them and help them to trust in Him for answers.
People long for meaningful relationships. You can offer a listening ear and genuine friendship to those far from family, friends, and community.
A church often caters to a specific ethnic or cultural background. We can intentionally make our programming more welcoming. We can also go to those who would seldom step inside our doors.
Share with your church what you have learned about the least-reached in your community. Inspire them with God's commission to a final mission. Then meet with those who are interested to see how various programs can be adapted to include people in the community from other ethnic and religious backgrounds.
You may need to find a translator to help those who haven't learned English well yet.
Find out what the needs of the various groups are and plan new programming at the church for them.
It is a big step for many people of various backgrounds to consider coming to a church for anything. Consider taking your Vacation Bible School to the park where the children and their parents will be able to easily attend.
Plan a health expo for the park or in a community building.
You can also partner with refugee resettlement agencies or community service managers for apartment complexes. Often they are looking for volunteers or organizations to help provide services.
While many people of other religious backgrounds will feel uncomfortable in a church, they will usually feel comfortable at a friend's home. Choose 2 or 3 of your friends who are followers of Jesus to help you start a Bible Discovery Group.
Search for resources that will work well for those who do not have a Christian background, to help them learn in ways they will readily understand.
Pray together and invite people to join you who would like to learn more about God and what the Bible teaches.
Explore the Discover Method
"I want to share Jesus with the Cambodians, but my English isn't so good and of course I can't speak Cambodian!" exclaimed Jose who was from Mexico but living in Houston, Texas.
Despite his hesitation, over the next few years Jose was an active member in starting a weekly worship service in a Cambodian community. On Saturday mornings you can hear the sermon being translated into two or three languages.
Many individuals and special events led to this point.
