June 6, 2008

VALLEY FORGE, PA – Of approximately 14 million refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, close to nine million have spent more than five years in refugee camps. These people have had to flee their homelands for fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to highlight refugees' right to protection from persecution and fear for their lives.

National Ministries encourages American Baptist congregations to salute the spirit and courage of refugees by observing World Refugee Day during June.

"In the 60 years that the United States has been welcoming refugees, American Baptists-in partnership with Church World Service-have been on the forefront of this outreach to those fleeing persecution and oppression," says Kenneth George, National Ministries' national coordinator, Direct Human Services. "As we acknowledge this World Refugee Day, it's essential we continue our long tradition of welcoming the stranger by embracing the large numbers of refugees from Burma, Africa and the Middle East today. And we must advocate for global policies that address the underlying causes that lead to persons fleeing their homelands."

Free resources for observing World Refugee Day are available online from Church World Service (churchworldservice.org). A flyer, suitable for use as a congregational bulletin insert or handout at community events, tells the story of Osman Koroma, a blind teenager from Liberia who is thriving since resettlement with his family to Michigan. A worship resource includes a call to worship, invocation, scripture selections and benediction.

Since 1948, National Ministries has helped to transform the lives of more than 98,000 refugees by supporting American Baptist congregations across the country that sponsored these uprooted and displaced individuals and families so they could build new lives.

American Baptist Churches USA