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Through the faithful prayers and generosity of World Relief Wisconsin’s village, God has provided more than we could ask or imagine.
Church and community supporters from across the state offered abundant prayers, donations and volunteer hours during the first months of 2025, as resettlement policies changed rapidly under the new administration.
In northwestern Wisconsin, for example, Welcoming New Neighbors (WNN) serves as a crucial ecumenical partner, providing support to refugees and immigrants and educating and building awareness in the community.
Those involved with WNN have been eager to serve on World Relief Wisconsin Good Neighbor teams, said Ginny Close, a leader of the organization.
“I have found also that they are most interested in diversity and the benefits immigrants bring to our community,” she said.
Close herself has gained much from her work with refugees.
“Building relationships with our new neighbors has given me a much better, deeper understanding of the words ‘resilience,’ ‘persistence,’ ‘hospitality’ and ‘perseverance,’” she said. “Although we do not necessarily know how we impact another person, I was forever moved when two different young Afghan men expressed in different ways their surprise that Christians welcomed them and cared about them.”
Jodi Jewell, the church and community engagement specialist located in the Eau Claire office, said the experience and compassion of WNN is invaluable.
“Many of our Good Neighbor Teams have been led by WNN members who organized teams within their local congregations,” she said. “Recently, WNN created a GNT that is serving two families simultaneously. Other WNN members are part of multiple GNTs. So much of the support refugees have experienced in the Chippewa Valley has been because of WNN. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Donations crucial to success
Our work also depends more than ever on donations.
“Since January we have had so many community members, churches and corporate partners step in and be generous in a time of need to give $400,000 to contribute to the work of welcome and belonging for newcomers,” said Christy Bodett Lukins, development specialist. ‘During this time, 16 churches have given generously and over 200 individuals.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin donated $40,000 to help fill the gap caused by a halt in federal funding for resettlement.
“I knew that we have congregations that have been partnering with World Relief to help settle refugees in the Oshkosh area,” said the Rt. Rev. Matt Gunter, bishop of the diocese. “For many years, my wife and I have offered financial support to organizations like World Relief, because we believe the work they do is a reflection of faithfulness to the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Gunter offers the following Church of England prayer to move others to open their hearts to welcoming new neighbors into their communities:
Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger, homeless and hungry. Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.