Editorial
God as Refugee and Refuge
G
od, in Christ, knows the experience of the refuThrough his church, God wants to demonstrate his love gee. “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in to refugees in Canada and beyond. I hope you, like me, are a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his prayerfully considering what God is calling you to do. mother and escape to Egypt. Stay here until I tell you, for With the doors of opportunity wide open, tools to Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got assist in the task are needed as well. Evangelical Fellowship up, took the child and his mother durof Canada is one of four organiing the night and left for Egypt, where zations in Canada launching an he stayed until the death of Herod. initiative to help churches better And so was fulfilled what the Lord welcome newcomers to Canada. had said through the prophet: ‘Out Welcome Church (welcomechurch. of Egypt I called my son’” (Matthew ca) is a free video-based train2:13–15). ing that launched February 1. The This experience mirrors many of practical training listed, “engagthe stories of those waking up in Kyiv ing respectfully with newcomers’ in the early morning of February 24, backgrounds, providing practical 2022. A quick exit. Take only what you hospitality, and how to start a welneed. Travel to a place of safety. come team” (p. 31), seems likely At the time of writing, two milto me to have applications beyond lion have fled the country. The UN welcoming newcomers; useful has predicted that number could rise to four million, to training as we emerge from a pandemic where, for many of become the biggest such crisis this century. Organizations us, our hospitality and listening skills have gotten somein Canada are launching initiatives to host displaced Ukrai- what rusty. nians seeking refuge. As I reflect on the gravity of the current global situaThe need is great for the Afghan people as well. Over tion, I’ve had the words of the song “God of Justice” (Tim two million Afghans are refugees, and many more are Hughes) running through my head. I particularly love internally displaced. In Arley Loewen’s article in this issue the petition in the song’s bridge, “Fill us up, send us out.” (pp. 18–21), he concludes with an invitation to EMC A powerful reminder that we don’t operate in our own churches and groups to consider sponsoring Afghan Chris- strength, but in the Lord’s. “Trust in him at all times, you tian refugees to come to Canada. people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” God cares about the refugee. The refugee nation of (Psalm 62:8). Israel was called from Egypt out of slavery and persecu– Rebecca Roman tion to a new land of promise. The Bible abounds with reminders to the Israelites to “not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners” (Exodus 23:9). Beyond a commitment to not oppress, they are Note on discussion within The Messenger to “love them [foreigners] as yourEvery community will have a of people in our lives. These disself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” diversity of views and opinions, cussions should also reflect the (Leviticus 19:34). which provides opportunities reality that some groups and Part of the reason for the exile was for us to learn from each other, individuals have not always felt Israel’s negligence of this command. being quick to listen, slow to welcome in Christian communi“In you [Jerusalem] they have treated speak and slow to become angry ties. We welcome your responses father and mother with contempt; in (James 1:19). Our discussions are to articles and topics discussed in you they have oppressed the foreigner inevitably impacted by our own The Messenger. and mistreated the fatherless and the experiences, and the experiences – Board of Church Ministries widow” (Ezekiel 22:7). Disobedience led to judgment.
This experience mirrors many of the stories of those waking up in Kyiv in the early morning of February 24, 2022. A quick exit. Take only what you need. Travel to a place of safety.
2 The Messenger • March/April 2022
