The Church on the Refugee Highway

By Tom Albinson | International Association for Refugees

Many of the 42 million forcibly displaced people and refugees in the world today identify themselves as Christians. In my 30 years of serving refugees, I have found that there are many active pastors, priests and Christian leaders serving among them. I have also discovered that few of us are aware that these brothers and sisters and their churches even exist.

It had never crossed my mind that there were refugee-led churches in refugee camps until I was introduced to pastors serving in the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya back in the year 2000. I was surprised to hear how these churches were actively planting churches among the diverse population in the camp. They shared that in the mid-1990’s there were only 4 churches in the camp of 80,000 refugees. By the year 2000, there were over 50. My surprise was compounded when they told me that they were also planting churches in the villages surrounding the camp.

I recently had the privilege of meeting with Christian leaders living in Dzaleka refugee camp (Malawi). I had expected a gathering of 15-20. Over 50 refugee Christian leaders showed up.

It was both humbling and inspiring to hear these brothers and sisters share their stories of suffering and faith. Most of them have suffered atrocities that are difficult to imagine. Life in the refugee camp (a former political prison) is a daily struggle. A lack of trees leaves no protection from cold mountain winds and hot African sunshine. They are stuck - unable to integrate into the host society and no option to return home. Few have any reason to hope that they might be resettled to a third country. They are dependent on the United Nations for all of their basic necessities. They survive on meager rations of cornmeal, sugar and salt.

And yet when they voiced their greatest challenges and needs, several spoke of difficulties related to church planting among the unreached villages surrounding the camp. They are only able to plant churches within a 15 kilometer radius from the camp because that is as far as they can go by foot. They tithe their cornmeal rations in order to support their mission initiatives.

One of the refugee churches invited me to a choir concert in the camp. The church building was worn thin. Holes in the thatched roof let in piercing rays of sunlight. A homemade drum set made of scrap metal and animal skins was the only instrument. We were on holy ground as the choir danced and sang their hearts out to God in worship and petition. Surely worship is most precious and penetrating when it is offered up from faithful hearts in the midst of suffering. It was beautiful. [You can see the choir on YouTube]
I have learned to expect to find churches and fellowships among refugees. Like the first generation of Christians, they have not let forceful displacement extinguish their passion to pursue the missional calling of the church.

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4)

I have found the church in the refugee camps of Kenya and Malawi. I’ve found her on the streets of Khartoum, in Europe’s refugee processing centers, and in countries of resettlement. I’ve met refugees who became followers of Jesus while on their journey and who now lead multiple fellowships of refugees. I’ve met with refugees who are drawing upon the strength of their story of displacement while reaching out to the forcibly displaced people of Darfur. I met a Laotian pastor who became a Christian in a Thai refugee camp. It was there he was trained to pastor. He pastored a church in the camp and later pastored churches in his country of resettlement.  He is now preparing to plant a church in an unreached village back in his homeland.

These brothers and sisters inspire and challenge my faith. They carry heavy stories of traumatic suffering and loss. They face irresolvable problems. Yet their lives demonstrate the faithfulness of Jesus.
The refugee church needs to be on our radar. Not only because they are isolated and forgotten by much of the non-displaced church – but because they have much to teach and offer us. Indeed, we need each other.
When David was forced to flee Israel due to the persecution of king Saul, his friend Jonathon went out to find him in the desert to “help him find strength in God. (1 Samuel 23:16).

May Jonathan be an example to those of us who by God’s grace have not been forcibly displaced. We might not be able to meet all of the needs or solve all of the problems confronting our brothers and sisters seeking refuge in the world today – but we can go to them and be present with them and help them find strength in God.

In spite of its circumstances and limitations, the refugee church is alive and well. She doesn’t need our pity. She needs our friendship and solidarity. She needs our help. And we need her.

“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself…” (Leviticus 19:33,34)