The world was captivated by the fall of Afghanistan into the hands of the Taliban late in the summer of 2021. What seemed like a world away eventually had a direct impact on the Houston area as Afghan refugees found their way to Bayou City. Since then, churches throughout Houston have stepped in to help these families as they adjust to their new home.
Refugees throughout our city need help. And our churches are stepping up to the challenge
“Afghan refugees are being quickly resettled in cities across the United States, but the number of families being resettled has overwhelmed the local social services systems,” says Justin Seale, Director of Local Missions at Houston’s First. “In Houston, we have five main refugee resettlement agencies and they are all behind and are having difficulty catching up."
Houston’s First has used different resources and connections to determine how best to help the refugees. Their Local Missions team learns about refugee families who need assistance from the Afghan families they already know and have helped by meeting families in-person in the apartment complexes where many are housed. They also connect with families through resettlement agencies and other local organizations and churches.
“ The number of Afghan families being resettled in the United States has overwhelmed the local social services systems.”
Houston’s First has been able to provide assistance in meeting some essential physical needs, as well as provide prayer for these families going through a challenging transition to a new country and culture.
“Staff members from our Benevolence, Local Missions team, and other individuals and families in our church are buying groceries for these Afghan families that are in need. Our two Food Pantries are open to families that need core food staples, and our Clothes Closets are available for much-needed clothing, too,” says Seale.
“We are able to provide funding for other churches and organizations that have volunteers to help but not the funding to buy food kits for families in need. Through our partnership connections from Missions Pastor Clark Reynolds, our church has already sent funds to help Afghan refugees in other states through Send Relief, and we’ve sent funds to organizations helping Afghan refugees in Central Asian countries.”
A Church Community Working Together
Faith Center–Harwin Associate Kerrie Snow shares the significance of the church family providing aid to the refugees.
“The Body of Christ has come together to show our new Afghan neighbors that we welcome them among us,” shares Snow. “Houston’s First has played a significant role on multiple levels in reaching out to care for and minister directly to these families. Our church is making a difference!” Houston’s First’s Life Bible Study (LBS) groups have stepped in to help in various ways, as well.
“The Body of Christ has come together to show our new Afghan neighbors that we welcome them among us”
“We’ve had many LBS groups serve with Houston Welcomes Refugees to feed Afghan families who are temporarily housed at extended-stay hotels, but who have no food, nor resources to get food. One LBS group has adopted an Afghan family and is assessing their needs and bringing the necessary help,” describes Seale.
“Another LBS group has provided volunteers and created an extensive database listing Afghan families, a list of their needs, and a means of tracking what has been done per family per task. This database will hopefully provide some better organization to a very chaotic situation.”
All of these efforts have enabled Houston’s First to help numerous refugee families who have been through traumatic situations.
“Hundreds of meals have already been provided, and our church staff and members are probably helping over 40 families directly as of mid-December 2021,'' explains Seale. “Many more families are being helped by other organizations thanks to the funding Houston’s First is able to provide because of our generous church family.”
“Individuals, small groups, and churches of all sizes can join together in the effort to help refugees.”
How You Can Help
Of course, Houston’s First is a large church with lots of momentum, but Individuals, small groups, and churches of all sizes can join together in the effort to help refugees. As we’ve said many times over, we’re better together.
Here are a few suggestions of how to get involved.
1. Fill a tub with household items
We know of 3 groups that are helping Afghan refugees to set up an apartment with needed household items. You can pack a “kit” with specific household items. Lists of kits ( bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc.) and items needed in each can be found by contacting the following:
Heritage Park Baptist Church (NASA area) email Trent Henderson at trent@heritagepark.org
Houston Welcomes Refugees (The Heights)
Global Gates (Southwest Houston) contact Brad Hodges at bhodges@globalgates.info
The kits run about $100 each to fill and would be a great project for a small group.
2. Vonunteer
Houston Welcomes Refugees needs volunteers to set up the apartments with household items to welcome the refugees as they arrive. They also need families and groups to partner with a refugee family for the first couple of months. Completion of the YMCA orientation and child abuse training is required to participate in these activities.
Prestige Learning Institute, located in Southwest Houston, needs volunteers to teach ESL in classroom settings. They also need in-class helpers, volunteers to help with homework in the after school program, men’s community volunteers for foster relationships, people to join the prayer Team (as an individual or group), and help with community events. For more information go to www.prestigeinstitute.org - or contact volunteer@pretigeinstitute.org
Children - Sylvia Ellsworth has a program working with children on Saturday mornings in an apartment complex in Southwest Houston. They do music, crafts, and share stories amd are distributing specific household and clothing items to families in need. You can contact Sylvia at jpsylvia@gmail.com
Global Gates, located in Southwest Houston, needs household items to set up apartments. They also need volunteers to transport refugees to school, doctor appointments, and grocery store visits. Contact Brad Hodges at bhodges@globalgates.info if you are interested.
3. Partner with other churches already working with refugees.
Churches throughout the region are already doing great work among refugees. Reach out to these churches and individuals to find out how you can help.
Houston’s First Baptist - Harwin Center - Justin Seale, justin.seale@houstonsfirst.org
Tallowood Baptist Church - Jeremy Scott, jscott@tallowood.org
Houston Northwest - Chris Hall - chrish@NW.org
Heritage Park Baptist - Trent Henderson - trent@heritagepark.org
Kingsland Baptist Church - https://kingsland.org/refugees/
A portion of this article was originally published in mid-January 2022 on Houston’s First’s Website.
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