Four years ago, Jen and I embarked on a new journey with our family. We moved from Arkansas to Minnesota, and joined International Association for Refugees because we wanted to respond to the global refugee crisis with obedience to the Biblical mandate to “love the sojourner.” We helped launch the ministry of Jonathan House – a place of shelter, hope, and healing for asylum seekers in the Twin Cities. The name comes from 1 Samuel 23:16: “And Jonathan…went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.” This took place while David was a political asylum seeker.
After buying our own house in St. Paul, finding our church home became a top priority. One quality we were looking for in a church was that it would be a place where Jonathan House residents could also feel a sense of belonging. Our search ended when we visited BCF. A place where strangers become friends, and friends become family. The church’s motto mirrors what our ministry is all about.
Over the past few years, several residents have attended church with us, and each one has met someone from their country of origin or someone who spoke their native language. Some attend regularly. You have provided transportation, meals, opportunities for people to enhance their English skills, and most importantly, friendship and a place of belonging.
Nor have interactions been limited to BCF. Vital connections extend to All Nations Family of Churches. Some ANFC pastors interpret for us on a regular basis. ICF has been a source of Christ’s love and hope to some residents.
As IAFR missionaries, we endeavor to help people survive and recover from forced displacement. Although there has not been a formal declaration of ministry partnership between IAFR and BCF, you have made valuable contributions by supporting the rebuilding efforts in the lives of those asylum seekers who have stepped through the doors of the church. And it has all happened naturally, organically. Like you would expect a family to function, I suppose.
Asylum Seekers at Jonathan House Find Community at BCF
The story is reprinted with permission from the International Association for Refugees’ (IAFR) blog, www.iafr.org/blog, written by Tom Albinson and SJ Holsteen.
A stepfather and stepdaughter were detained at the US border. The authorities separated them. He was sent to a men's detention center. She was sent to a women's detention center. He was later transferred to a county prison in Minnesota and ultimately released to live at IAFR's Jonathan House - a safe place of refuge for asylum seekers in the US. She wasn't as fortunate and was kept in a remote prison in Texas from which she had little access to legal resources and little hope of being released on bond.
At church one Sunday, the stepfather shared with IAFR's Josh Levin how painful and traumatic her continued detention was for both of them. Josh offered to pray with him.
Just two days later, the phone rang. It was his stepdaughter. She had unexpectedly been released from immigration detention that day - 1 year and 7 months after being imprisoned simply for having crossed the border to seek safety in the US.
Our friend was overjoyed to share the news with the IAFR team - and he thanked Josh for his prayers.
This stepfather is among the residents who have found shelter in one of our two Jonathan House locations in the Twin Cities. Our local team not only provides residents with much needed shelter - they walk with them through this uncertain chapter of their lives.
Just Like Family
By Josh Levin
Four years ago, Jen and I embarked on a new journey with our family. We moved from Arkansas to Minnesota, and joined International Association for Refugees because we wanted to respond to the global refugee crisis with obedience to the Biblical mandate to “love the sojourner.” We helped launch the ministry of Jonathan House – a place of shelter, hope, and healing for asylum seekers in the Twin Cities. The name comes from 1 Samuel 23:16: “And Jonathan…went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.” This took place while David was a political asylum seeker.
After buying our own house in St. Paul, finding our church home became a top priority. One quality we were looking for in a church was that it would be a place where Jonathan House residents could also feel a sense of belonging. Our search ended when we visited BCF. A place where strangers become friends, and friends become family. The church’s motto mirrors what our ministry is all about.
Over the past few years, several residents have attended church with us, and each one has met someone from their country of origin or someone who spoke their native language. Some attend regularly. You have provided transportation, meals, opportunities for people to enhance their English skills, and most importantly, friendship and a place of belonging.
Nor have interactions been limited to BCF. Vital connections extend to All Nations Family of Churches. Some ANFC pastors interpret for us on a regular basis. ICF has been a source of Christ’s love and hope to some residents.
As IAFR missionaries, we endeavor to help people survive and recover from forced displacement. Although there has not been a formal declaration of ministry partnership between IAFR and BCF, you have made valuable contributions by supporting the rebuilding efforts in the lives of those asylum seekers who have stepped through the doors of the church. And it has all happened naturally, organically. Like you would expect a family to function, I suppose.
Asylum Seekers at Jonathan House Find Community at BCF
The story is reprinted with permission from the International Association for Refugees’ (IAFR) blog, www.iafr.org/blog, written by Tom Albinson and SJ Holsteen.
A stepfather and stepdaughter were detained at the US border. The authorities separated them. He was sent to a men's detention center. She was sent to a women's detention center. He was later transferred to a county prison in Minnesota and ultimately released to live at IAFR's Jonathan House - a safe place of refuge for asylum seekers in the US. She wasn't as fortunate and was kept in a remote prison in Texas from which she had little access to legal resources and little hope of being released on bond.
At church one Sunday, the stepfather shared with IAFR's Josh Levin how painful and traumatic her continued detention was for both of them. Josh offered to pray with him.
Just two days later, the phone rang. It was his stepdaughter. She had unexpectedly been released from immigration detention that day - 1 year and 7 months after being imprisoned simply for having crossed the border to seek safety in the US.
Our friend was overjoyed to share the news with the IAFR team - and he thanked Josh for his prayers.
This stepfather is among the residents who have found shelter in one of our two Jonathan House locations in the Twin Cities. Our local team not only provides residents with much needed shelter - they walk with them through this uncertain chapter of their lives.