At the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) 2025 Conference in Derby, Welcome Churches shared its bold vision for a future where every refugee in the UK is within walking distance of a welcoming congregation.
Founded in Derby through the Welcome Boxes project, Welcome Churches has grown into a national network of more than 1,400 churches offering friendship and practical support to refugees and people seeking asylum. Yet, CEO James Lynch told the conference that this number is 鈥渘ot enough.鈥�
鈥淥ur vision is that every refugee in the UK is within half a mile of a Welcome Church,鈥� said James. 鈥淲e want to make sure that wherever a family or individual is moved by the 两性色午夜 Office, there鈥檚 already a church nearby ready to give them a warm welcome.鈥�
As the government continues to move asylum seekers to accommodation in new parts of the country, often unexpectedly, Welcome Churches is working to expand its reach into less-connected communities, to ensure that no one feels isolated or forgotten.
Samuel Luak, who leads Welcome Churches鈥� Church Engagement Team, explained that the organisation not only connects congregations but equips them for the complex and sensitive task of welcoming people who have fled conflict and crisis.
鈥淲elcoming is part of the church鈥檚 DNA,鈥� he said. 鈥淢anaging welcome is the practical part of ministry. Our job is to train, equip, mobilise and resource churches so that welcome is safe, culturally aware, and compassionate.鈥�
Training and resources cover topics such as cross-cultural understanding, trauma awareness, safeguarding, and mental health.
Samuel also spoke movingly about his own experience, which dates back 40 years when, in fleeing war in Sudan, he crossed seven national borders to find safety, describing how the visible journey of migration is only part of the story.
鈥淭here is also an inner journey,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 journey of learning, healing, and resilience. People need a safe space to share that journey; somewhere they feel they belong.鈥�
For that reason, Welcome Churches refers to refugees and asylum seekers simply as 鈥渘eighbours鈥�.
鈥淭hey are human beings first,鈥� Samuel explained. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 see them through papers; we see them as people like us. They may arrive as strangers, but they become our neighbours and, in time, friends and family.鈥�
Fatima Tahri, the organisation鈥檚 Church Engagement Coordinator, works with churches in the Midlands, the North and in Wales. Fatima outlined how churches can join the network and begin their journey of welcome.
鈥淭he first step is simple, and free,鈥� she said. 鈥淐hurches can sign up online and instantly access our resource hub.鈥�
For congregations wanting to take their involvement further, there is the Welcome Plus programme, which offers coordinator and volunteer training as well as access to specialist resources. These include guidance on trauma and advice for supporting integration and discipleship.
Fatima highlighted how joining the network often transforms local congregations themselves.
鈥淢any churches become more intercultural,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey discover new gifts, new friendships, and new expressions of faith through the people who join them. It鈥檚 a blessing both ways.鈥�
Stories from churches in the network show how welcoming neighbours has reshaped communities. One congregation that began as a majority-white fellowship now counts members from more than 25 different nations.
鈥淓ach person brings a different gift,鈥� Fatima said, smiling. 鈥淎nd yes, often that includes amazing food! Shared meals have become a joyful part of our church life.鈥�
James summed up a favourite saying of his: 鈥淢eeting without eating is cheating.鈥�
For more information or to join the network, visit .