Recent events surrounding the refugee crisis across Europe have affected us all in many ways. As a mother myself, it has been heartbreaking to see and hear some of the images and stories that have emerged. It has also been humbling to observe the generous response of many Baptists, in particular the amazing work of Juliet Kilpin who has co-ordinated over 250 offers of accommodation across our Baptist community. At the same time I really appreciate and want to honour those churches who have been working with refugees for many years and rejoice with them as they witness lives being changed through the good news of Jesus Christ. These examples of radical discipleship are an inspiration to us all.
It is some weeks now since I put my name to a letter from church leaders challenging the attitude and apparent indifference of our government to the reality of this situation. In particular we objected to the use of the word 'swarm' to describe a movement of desperate people, often in the face of persecution and conflict. At the time, our response was in contrast to much public opinion, and indeed there were those who challenged the practicality and appropriateness of our call. However, we remained true to the foundational principle that our response should not be shaped by popularity, but the Biblical messages of our Kingdom faith.
It is quite clear that in the time since that letter was published, the tide of public opinion has changed, and there are now many expressions and public offers of support and help. Baptist Christians continue to play a key role in that in different ways. True to our Baptist identity, our reaction as a Steering Group has been very much shaped by the concerns and actions of Baptist congregations on the ground, and it is through supporting and co-ordinating these that we have been led to the next stage of our response.
The offers of help are numerous, but from the outset it has been recognised that these need to be properly co-ordinated, and indeed must be sustainable beyond the initial heart-responses that are inevitable at a time like this. We realise that we cannot do this alone, and are grateful to Juliet who has put us in touch with Citizens UK, who are bringing together a number of faith and community groups across the UK. They are also campaigning for the establishment of a National Refugee Welcome and Resettlement Board (NRWRB) that can properly and formally co-ordinate this task.
I am writing to encourage local Baptists to get behind this campaign, by both contacting their MP’s and local civic authorities, but also encouraging community groups with whom they might already be working to add their own voices to this call. You can find more information about this on our Baptist Together website.
Here we are seeing Baptists Together at our best! We are able to release and support grass-roots responses quickly because of our relationships and way of being church. We are able to make an impact locally, regionally and nationally through our different teams and yet also have the freedom for people to respond in ways they can. Our prayer, giving and participation in local churches and across our movement makes all this possible and, I believe, pleases the heart of God. So please will you give this matter your prayerful consideration; let us also continue to pray for a just and lasting outcome to this emerging crisis and an end to those acts of inhumanity that account for much of its cause.
Lynn Green
General Secretary
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