Every Wednesday, an older couple from the Middle East worships with us here at Hope Community in Bosnia. They are passionate Christians, ministering to people in the family refugee camp, even as they are refugees themselves.

Pray for our pastor!

About a month ago, after our worship service, the couple approached me with a message prepared on Google Translate. They asked for prayer for the pastor who had brought them to faith. As we talked, I learned that this pastor was facing imminent deportation back to his home country—a decision that would almost certainly result in his death because of his outspoken Christian faith.

So, we prayed. Six of us standing together for this pastor, desperate for changed circumstances and grateful for his faithfulness over the years.

The next week, the couple was thrilled to share the news that this pastor was not going to be deported back to his home country; instead, he would be accepted by a third country–the United States.

Answered Prayer - And New Uncertainty

However, the relief was short-lived. With the recent decision to halt refugee resettlement in the U.S., this pastor’s fate is again uncertain. He now faces the very real possibility of being returned to a country where his life would be in immediate danger because of his faith.

Thousands facing increased vulnerability and danger

This is one story of many. Thousands like this pastor are facing increased vulnerability and danger on the refugee journey due to the new policies being put in place surrounding immigration in the West.

God sees things differently

We grieve how these government policies generalize the situation in a way that treats some people as unworthy of protection. Yet we take comfort knowing that God sees things differently. Each refugee, immigrant, migrant worker, and asylum seeker is a person made in the image of God. And we know God sees, hears and cares for each of these beloved human beings.

Because of this and because of the Bible’s clear mandate to care for the vulnerable, the poor, and the foreigners among us, we invite the global church to continue to work for welcome around the world, caring for the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods as an extension of who we are as body of Christ.

Pray with us!

Pray with us for this pastor. He's caught in the turmoil of being displaced with no certain future. May he find refuge. And may his heart rest in God's faithful presence.

Learn more about our work in Sarajevo!