Cristian Schlick, a Global Ministries’ staff member serving as liaison for Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean and as regional migration specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), speaks about migration and the Christian call to welcome the stranger in our midst.

The video references various ministries of Global Ministries and UMCOR that provide relief and recovery for refugees in many different forms and in many places around the world.

The Rev. Joel Hortiales, a missionary serving as director of Hispanic/Latino Ministry and Border Concerns in the California-Pacific Annual Conference, meets and prays with migrants and asylum seekers on both sides of the Mexican-U.S. border.

Children in Gaza have a rare chance to laugh and play as part of counseling and psychological services provided by an UMCOR partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR).

Ukrainian refugee families in Romania and families displaced inside Ukraine receive welcome, supplies, food, water and shelter with support from UMCOR as they navigate new ways to survive a three-year war that has no end in sight.

Displaced mothers and children in South Sudan welcome a new place to find potable water and relief supplies made possible by UMCOR and its partner, Water Is Basic.

Churches in the U.S. find ways to welcome and support immigrants in their communities with Mustard Seed Migration Grants from UMCOR.

Discover more about UMCOR’s work to welcome refugees and other migrants and provide for their basic needs through global migration ministries and commemorate World Refugee Day with a gift to support.

The post Called by God to welcome refugees and migrants appeared first on Global Ministries.

A June 5 opinion piece in United Methodist Insight titled “New U.S. Travel Ban Will Harm the United Methodist Church” raises concerns about the potential impact of the travel ban on the worldwide church.

Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry work with mission partners and educational leaders in over 60 countries and have missionaries and regional staff serving in several countries on the list. 

“This travel ban is discriminatory and will certainly increase suffering and limit opportunity for the church’s work, not unlike recent funding cuts,” said Roland Fernandes, who serves as general secretary for both agencies. “We call on the current U.S. administration to reconsider this policy decision so our work in mission and ministry can continue unimpeded.”

Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry reaffirm our commitment to serving alongside communities worldwide and we stand against policies that obstruct the global mission of The United Methodist Church.

Read United Methodist Insight’s opinion piece here.

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ATLANTA—In solidarity and support of vulnerable migrant communities facing heightened threats and uncertainty, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has awarded over $2 million in grants to two partner organizations working on the frontlines of refugee and immigrant support in the United States and around the world.

Approved at its April 10-12 board of directors meeting, UMCOR awarded a $1,095,513 grant to Immigration Law and Justice Network (ILJN) and a $1,000,000 grant to Church World Service (CWS). These grants come in response to sweeping immigration policy changes by the current U.S. administration that have upended decades of humanitarian protections and funding streams for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

ILJN, founded by UMCOR in 1999 and now its own non-profit, supports a network of 19 immigration legal service sites across the U.S. that operate on a low- to no-cost basis. The grant serves as emergency bridge funding after the cancellation of federal support that had sustained legal aid at six key sites.

As new policies expand the scope of deportations, many immigrants are facing deportation without legal representation or knowledge of their rights. This grant will ensure that over 500 immigrant children in the states of Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C will have legal representation in court.

In addition, ILJN will continue establishing a new “Removal Defense Unit” to help immigrant communities navigate a rapidly shifting and often hostile legal landscape. Strategies include hiring a consulting attorney to build legal capacity across ILJN’s national network, creating accessible educational materials for both legal teams and community members, and setting aside funds specifically for bail assistance. A $425,000 grant awarded earlier in the year by UMCOR helped ILJN begin this work.

ILJN also plans to support its practitioners – many of whom face burnout and secondary trauma – by organizing two wellness retreats focused on mental health and sustainability in advocacy work.

“This is a historic moment of challenge,” said Alba Jaramillo, co-executive director of ILJN. “But UMCOR has stepped up with ILJN to respond to the moment. Together, we are doing the best we can in this political environment to make sure that our immigrant community is safe.”

CWS, a longtime partner of UMCOR, will use its $1 million grant to expand humanitarian aid and refugee resettlement efforts.

In the U.S., CWS aims to stabilize and expand essential operations including legal services, housing support, food distribution, health care access and language training for newly arrived refugees and their families. The organization will also scale up its international aid efforts in places like Honduras and Indonesia where conflict and displacement have left communities in dire need.

CWS will be able to maintain its child protection programs which offer advocacy and care for unaccompanied minors. In addition, CWS plans to intensify its outreach and advocacy efforts, working with faith-based groups to counter harmful narratives and call for compassionate immigration policies.

“The United Methodist Church was one of the founding members that created CWS in 1946. So, this grant from UMCOR is a reaffirmation of our long-standing partnership and shared mission,” said Rick Santos, president and CEO of CWS. “One of the strengths of organizations like Church World Service and UMCOR is that we connect to local congregations and local communities. This is a moment to activate that network of people.”

UMCOR’s support of ILJN and CWS reflects its historic and enduring commitment to stand in solidarity with migrants and displaced people. As government support diminishes, faith-based organizations are stepping in to help fill the ever-widening gap.

“These grants are more than just emergency aid,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “They represent our collective commitment to uphold dignity, work for justice and respond to God’s call to love our neighbors – especially the most vulnerable among us.”

Sara Logeman is the senior manager of content and marketing for Global Ministries and UMCOR and Higher Education and Ministry.

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ATLANTA — In an unprecedented moment of moral reckoning, Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) of The United Methodist Church today issue The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation. With 45 initial signers, including CWS’ Covenant Members, this declaration is more than a statement—it is a solemn and unshakable commitment by religious leaders and organizations to stand against policies that endanger refugees and immigrants.

At a time when the United States faces defining choices about its treatment of the displaced and persecuted, this powerful declaration is a collective stand for justice. It calls on all people of faith to root their advocacy in scripture and directly challenges political leaders to remember that America’s identity is inseparable from its immigrant history. The way the nation treats its most vulnerable will not only shape communities at home but will define the country’s moral standing in the global arena.

Following the administration’s executive orders that oppose the proud American tradition of welcome, directives to abdicate our leadership around the world, and enactment of policies that keep families separated, the Declaration says:

Together in faith and rooted in love, we resolve to continue in the centuries-old practice of Christian communities walking alongside refugees and immigrants in their pursuit of safety and dignity. We pledge to restore and promote hospitality and welcome to those seeking refuge – regardless of where they are from, how they pray or what language they speak.

Guided by our faith, we stand together against the sweeping measures that are devastating vulnerable families and jeopardizing their futures. These actions not only cause immediate harm but also threaten our country’s long-term ability to welcome and support those in need. We grieve for the families who have been torn apart, had years-long reunification plans cancelled, been detained and deported, have been unjustly blocked from accessing asylum protections, and have been left without access to the basic assistance they need to thrive.

Joined by CWS’ Covenant Members and faith leaders and communities across the country, this declaration comes at a time of uncertainty for the United States Refugee Admissions Program.

Rick Santos, president and CEO of Church World Service adds, “Against a backdrop of cuts to essential programs, a seeming push towards isolationism and rhetoric that encourages us to distrust our new neighbors, this Declaration is an urgent reminder of our values. As followers of Jesus Christ, we welcome, we don’t turn away. We cherish inclusivity, we don’t spurn it. And, ultimately, our values lead us to community instead of division.”

Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR, states, “Central to many faith traditions is the call to welcome the stranger and care for those in need. The administration’s immigration policies undermine our moral obligation to offer refuge and support to those seeking safety and a better life. We must advocate for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to immigration that reflects the gospel, values all lives as sacred and promotes justice and peace.”

The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge is issued today with the support of CWS’ Covenant Members, individual faith leaders and congregations, and organizations such as: National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; AME Zion Church; Catholic Legal Immigration Network; The Episcopal Church; Friends United Meeting; Latino Christian National Network; Mennonite Central Committee US; Sojourners; and World Relief.

The Declaration is now open for signatures from across the country, and will continue so through Lent.

For more information, or to speak with Fernandes, contact Susan Clark at communications@umcmission.org.

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ATLANTA – A family from Venezuela has just arrived in the city of Danlí in the south of Honduras and presented themselves to Honduran authorities. They have come a long way – through Colombia, into Central America through Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. But now, their 8-year-old son, who is with them, lies with his head on his father’s shoulder. He is unresponsive.

Fortunately, the United Methodist Mission in Honduras (UMMH) opened a clinic in Danlí two and half years ago and today, the Honduran migration officers notify the clinic when they encounter sick or injured migrants passing through. The clinic team arrived quickly to assess the boy’s health and agreed that he needed immediate medical attention…in a hospital. He was near death from severe dehydration, and the team convinced his parents to follow the advice. The specialized care saved his life.

In 2024, the Rev. Daniel Contreras, a new missionary assigned to UMMH, became the interim country director and he has confirmed that the small clinic served 10,000 patients last year. “The United Methodist Church in Honduras is committed to ministry with the poor and marginalized. Our health work started with a project for the elderly in Danlí, which then developed a fruitful partnership with the authorities. Sadly, the need for a clinic for migrants is greater now than it was before,” Contreras noted.

Others who are referred to the clinic, either by immigration officers or by word-of-mouth, receive direct care from the professional staff at the clinic. They see many cases of less severe dehydration, which they can treat, people with chronic diseases who have run short on their medications, malnutrition, respiratory problems, diarrhea, cold and flu, skin diseases, gastrointestinal infections, foot and leg injuries and wound infections. In most cases, migrants recover and continue their journeys, whatever their destinations may be.

The Government of Honduras promotes universal health coverage but lacks sufficient funding to cover its own citizens, much less the transient population. The city of Danlí has seen as many as 1,500 immigrants passing through each day. Migrants’ need for free, accessible primary health care is great and so the government has found ways to partner with the church’s ministry, such as providing consulting rooms and an ambulance.

The clinic is open eight hours a day, five days a week, and they see an average of 67 patients daily. The volume of patients has continued to increase, but there is uncertainty about whether the flow of migrants to the North will continue as a new U.S. Administration changes policy and procedures for immigrants at the U.S. border with Mexico.

Although the Methodist Church in Honduras is small, it has found ways to contribute important resources to local communities through its mission and ministry. Health care for passing migrants was a needed resource that church members and leaders in Danlí believed they could provide. With a series of grants (currently working on a phase 3 grant) from Global Ministries through Global Health and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and partnership with immigration officials, the primary health care clinic they envisioned has become a reality. In addition, the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, has a close relationship with the UMMH. Its support in 2024, the congregation’s third annual grant, helped to meet the clinic’s increased demand for services.

Christie R. House is a consultant writer and editor with Global Ministries and UMCOR.

UMCOR and Global Migration

Learn more about migration ministry and programming through Global Ministries and UMCOR.

Global Health
Through United Methodist conferences and health boards, Global Ministries works to strengthen whole networks of health responses, from revitalization of facilities and staff training to building better water sources, developing sanitation facilities and promoting nutrition. Global Health concentrates on eradicating preventable diseases, such as malaria, HIV and AIDS, and COVID-19, and supporting the most vulnerable populations, including mothers, newborns and children.

Support the work of global health.

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ATLANTA – “What do you need?” the Rev. Cory Thrall of Legacy United Methodist Church asked Global Neighbors, a Church World Service affiliate nonprofit organization and community partner whose mission is to foster welcome for immigrants in Bismarck, North Dakota.

As the pastor of Legacy UMC in Bismarck, a city of around 80,000 people, Thrall leads a congregation that is 125 years old. Its membership consists of different ages and ethnic backgrounds, although like the town, most of its members are white.

Building relationships with new and diverse neighbors is at the core of Legacy’s history and ministry. The church seeks out ways to embody a spirit of welcome and belonging. In 2024, a Mustard Seed Migration Grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provided Legacy with financial support to reach its Ukrainian neighbors in a unique way.

As Thrall listened to Global Neighbors’ response, he learned that their biggest need was to help people learn to drive, provide furnishings, and offer transportation.

But Thrall took it a step further. He wondered if Legacy members could connect more deeply with Ukrainian neighbors through shared recipes and meals. Having done this before with neighbors from Liberia and Ghana, a member of Legacy provides cooking lessons for a dish using local ingredients, and then the following month, immigrants or refugees teach Legacy members how to make something from their homeland. Ukrainian newcomers enthusiastically received the invitation, saying they wanted to cook with the church. So began a time of cooking, sampling and even competition for the best recipe.

“There was so much excitement as to who would win a prize. People were so proud and celebrated each other,” church member Kenton Carlson said. Prizes of cooking utensils, aprons, and other kitchen supplies were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Carlson wasn’t sure how their new friends would react to competing with each other, but they embraced it. Even though the collective group was speaking different languages, the smiles, noise, and laughter assured them they were together in spirit.

Many congregations may wonder how to take the first step to embrace strangers and those from other cultures. Table fellowship and group activities can tear down walls and facilitate interaction. “Opportunities like this are a great conduit to serve and do God’s work,” said Carlson.

While those who leave their homelands may experience isolation in a new setting, Legacy’s outreach goes beyond table fellowship. Thrall shares that when “a family arrives in Bismarck, both partners have to work to survive. That usually means that one partner is stuck at home while the other takes the car.” Public transportation can be difficult in a city like Bismarck. Their bus system runs less frequently and shuts down after 5 p.m.

In addition to the shared meals, Legacy also provides driving lessons and other forms of assistance its newest neighbors might need. They meet Christ in return. Sometimes, the things they do may feel like small things, but it puts “our work on this earth into perspective,” says Carlson. While returning home with a Ukrainian refugee from an insurance appointment, Carlson’s new friend kept saying, “You understand me! You understand. You understand.” Reflecting on the conversation now, Carlson said, “Wow, I just did a little thing, and it brought him so much.”

The Rev. Neelley Hicks is a freelance writer for Global Ministries and UMCOR.

UMCOR’s Mustard Seed Migration Grant program is designed to encourage local United Methodist churches to engage in ministry with migrating peoples in their midst. UMCOR awards grants of $2,000 USD to up to 100 churches in the U.S. to engage in new, one-time community-based service projects and ministries focused on migrants and refugees. Learn more and apply today.

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ATLANTA – Central to many faith traditions is the call to welcome the stranger and care for those in need. From a theological and faith perspective, the Trump administration’s immigration policies raise troubling ethical concerns that challenge core religious values of compassion, love and welcome.

Sweeping measures, framed as deporting illegal migrant criminals, are effectively criminalizing and terrorizing ALL migrant communities in the U.S., regardless of legal status.

Border security policies that set aside humanitarian considerations fail to recognize the plight of individuals fleeing violence and persecution. Such actions undermine our moral obligation to offer refuge and support to those seeking safety and a better life.

Economically, immigrants contribute to our communities and serve vital roles in various industries, driving growth and innovation. Many have been in this country for years. They are most often seen as gifts to our communities, not threats. By forcibly removing them and restricting entry for others, we diminish the richness and diversity they bring, which is counter to the belief that all people are created in the image of God and deserve dignity and opportunity.

Global Ministries condemns these actions, which disregard the fundamental dignity and rights of migrants, many of whom are families in need of our concern and care.

Additionally, the divisive rhetoric often accompanying these policies is antithetical to the teachings of love and unity found in many faiths, leading to increased intolerance and hatred of migrants in the U.S. We must advocate for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to immigration that reflects the gospel, values all lives as sacred and promotes justice and peace.

Instead of fostering division, we should focus on building bridges and advocating for comprehensive immigration reform that embodies compassion, justice, and the inherent worth of every person.

In Deuteronomy 10:18-19, we are reminded of God’s love for the foreigner, who is given food and clothing, and we are called to do the same: “And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”

God calls us to welcome the stranger. We must commit to build a future where compassion and justice prevail regardless of passport status.

We reaffirm our call on individuals, pastors and local churches to take immediate action:

• Pray: Uphold the protection and well-being of migrants in your prayers, and seeking bold leadership from communities and policymakers.
• Volunteer: Connect with local organizations such as Church World Service or the Immigration Law and Justice Network to assist nearby affiliates.
• Support Projects: Apply for Mustard Seed Migration Grants of $2,000 to aid migrants in your community. Learn more and apply here.
• Learn: Join this Feb. 10 webinar organized by Church and Society and others to learn about the UM response to immigration justice.  Learn more and register here.
• Advocate: Contact elected officials to express your support for migrant rights and sign up for Church World Service Action Alerts  for advocacy opportunities.
• Donate: Contribute to the Global Migration Advance (#3022144) to support programs that aids migrants and refugees. Give here.

Roland Fernandes is the general secretary of Global Ministries, UMCOR, and Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church.

Learn more about migration ministry and programming through Global Ministries and UMCOR.

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ATLANTA – United Methodist churches in the U.S. will have the opportunity to help immigrants, migrants and refugees living in their local communities again in 2025. The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR) Mustard Seed Migration Grant program, now in its fifth year, provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project.

“As Jesus shares in his parable, small mustard seeds have the potential to grow into something pervasive that spreads throughout a field,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR. “Since the start of the program, we have seen United Methodist churches learn more about immigrants, migrants and refugees in their communities and address their needs through these grants. The ‘seed’ of welcoming strangers has been planted in new and unique ways in congregations around the country.”

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sept. 1, 2025. Up to 100 churches will be awarded a grant on a first-come first-serve basis. New applicants, as well as churches that have completed a Mustard Seed project in the past, are welcome to apply. Monies will be dispersed within four weeks of application approval and the project must be completed within six months.

“Now, more than ever, UMC congregations need to learn about migrants by working with them in their own communities. Now, more than ever, migrants need to feel welcomed and loved by their neighbors,” said the Rev. Jack Amick, director of Global Migration for UMCOR. “Mustard Seed Migration Grants can help congregations that wish to walk on a journey together with migrants.” 

Examples of projects completed by United Methodist churches in 2024 include:

First United Methodist Church in Troy, MI, helped resettle a recently arrived refugee family by providing furnishings and household items. Volunteers helped install items in the home which greatly helped the family’s transition during a difficult time.

Brookstown United Methodist Church in Pfafftown, NC, provided support to a Haitian family that needed stable housing, English as a Second Language pre-school and further integration into the community. 

Charleroi United Methodist Church in Charleroi, PA, created a clothing ministry to offer coats, gloves, bedding, towels and other essential clothing to immigrant families in need.

Legacy United Methodist Church in Bismarck, ND, provided refugees with cookware and cooking classes alongside longtime local residents which helped a “dish exchange” among Bismarck locals and refugees.

For the full list of 2024 recipients, click here.

To learn more about the program requirements and to apply online, click here.

Contact mustardseed@umcor.org with questions or for more information.

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About the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

Founded in 1940, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church. A part of United Methodist Global Ministries, UMCOR works in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States and its territories. The agency’s mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering with open hearts and minds to all people. Working in the areas of disaster response and recovery and migration, UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on its own.

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ATLANTA – Supporting migrants and refugees is fundamental to the work of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Since its founding in 1940 during World War II, UMCOR has consistently stood alongside displaced people across the globe, assisting those impacted by war, civil unrest and manmade and natural disasters.

As the United States faces potential large-scale immigration policy changes, including the likely mass deportation of thousands of migrants, Global Ministries and UMCOR will prioritize protecting migrants’ rights, reaffirming a longstanding commitment to core humanitarian principles. We will intensify efforts to amplify the voices of migrants and create pathways for integration. Through comprehensive programs spanning global advocacy, church engagement, legal support and practical assistance, Global Ministries and UMCOR will continue to provide hope and support to those most vulnerable in their journey to safety and opportunity.

There are several ways that individuals, pastors and local churches can get involved in ministry with migrants and refugees:

• Pray for the protection and well-being of migrants, for bold leadership and for positive action on the part of individuals, churches and communities.    
• Volunteer with local organizations in your community. Contact Church World Service, Immigration Law and Justice Network or similar organizations to see how you can assist the affiliate nearest you.
• Implement a Mustard Seed Migration Grant project to assist migrants in your own community. Applications for grants of $2,000 will be accepted up to December 13, 2024. Learn more and apply here.
• Contact your elected officials to let them know that you welcome migrants. You can sign up for Church World Service Action Alerts to learn how to become involved in advocacy efforts that support migrant rights.
• Donate to the Global Migration Advance (#3022144) to support programming that aids migrants and refugees. Give here.

Grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, Global Ministries and UMCOR alleviates human suffering without regard to race, religion or status. We believe that welcoming the stranger is essential to The United Methodist Church.

Roland Fernandes is the general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.

Learn more about migration ministry and programming through Global Ministries and UMCOR.

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