Volunteering with refugees may begin with a simple step, but for many, it becomes a deeply personal journey of growth, faith, and fulfillment. One retired U.S. Air Force member shares how a conversation with his pastor in 2018 led him to a meaningful role with World Relief Texas and the refugee community in Fort Worth, Texas.
Discovering a New Purpose After Retirement
Mike Rogers recalls that he “didn’t want a job—I just wanted to do something useful.” After retiring in 2018, he approached a pastor at his church about volunteering. Their church had recently begun supporting refugee congregations and was partnered with World Relief Texas. “He suggested I contact the World Relief Texas volunteer coordinator, and I did.” That introduction led to a connection with a local Swahili pastor and eventually to teaching an ELI (English) class. “With no formal training, I might add! Results were… mixed,” he laughs. Despite the learning curve, he continued helping in various roles, from assisting with ESL classes to supporting newly arrived families.
Why Refugee Resettlement Matters
His motivation for serving refugees is rooted in faith and a global perspective shaped by years of church mission involvement. He reflects on a chorus he grew up singing in his church inspired by Matthew 10:8:
“Freely, freely, you have received,
Freely, freely give; Go in My name, and
because you believe Others will know that I live.”
This idea stuck with him. “I had been greatly blessed to have been born here, and it was not because I deserved it,” he says. Seeing large numbers of refugees arriving in Texas, he realized that the foreign mission field he once envisioned supporting was now in his own backyard. “It just seemed like the mission field had come to us” he explains.
Hands-On Volunteering with World Relief
Most of his time is spent assisting with ELI classes. “I consider myself to be a teacher’s prop. I get to act out the words the ‘real’ teacher gives the class—it’s fun!” In addition, he has helped take clients to medical appointments, purchased groceries for new arrivals, and currently serves as a Cultural Companion to a Venezuelan family.
The rewards of volunteering, he says, have been profound. “I’ve heard other people say they went to help someone only to discover they were the one who was helped and blessed. I believe I’ve experienced that—and it’s pretty cool.”
Encouragement for the Hesitant Volunteer
To anyone curious about serving refugees or hesitant to get involved, he offers this encouragement: “Come visit an ESL class—what we do is pretty impressive.” But more importantly, he urges people to consider the realities refugees face:
“Some of my Congolese friends lived in refugee camps for up to 20 years before being allowed to resettle. Many are our Christian brothers and sisters. The same is true of the Burmese/Myanmar refugees many of whom were forced to leave their birth country because they are Christians.”
He also reflects and highlights the responsibility to support Afghan refugees: “As a retired member of the U.S. Air Force, I believe we are honor-bound to help those who stood by us. Their very lives are in danger under the Taliban.”
Mike’s story is a powerful reminder: when we step into service, we often find something far greater than we expected—community, purpose, and a deeper understanding of grace.
Get Involved with World Relief
Whether you’re interested in teaching English classes, becoming a cultural companion, or simply learning more about refugee resettlement, World Relief offers meaningful ways to make a difference in your own community. As this volunteer’s story shows, sometimes the greatest blessings come when we give freely—and go along for the ride.
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