Meeting the Divine by Loving One Another

“Not only do we have to make ourselves aware about what is going on in the world, our calling as followers of Christ is to respond,” says Doug Gunkelman, Pastor at Divinity Lutheran Church.

After learning about the need to mentor newly arriving refugee families through The Hope Center a few years ago, the church in Parma Heights is once again deeply committed to supporting recent newcomers from Afghanistan.  For the last few months, the church has organized enough collection drives to fill dozens of homes with supplies and household items in addition to building relationships through weekly fellowship with a family of eight.  Like many of the recent Afghan arrivals, members of the family helped the U.S military, and if they hadn’t left the country when they did, they would have lived under a constant threat of death.

Since they came to Cleveland, Every Monday night, Divinity members visit the family’s home, a small city apartment lacking heat when they first arrived. In addition to bringing household items, such as kitchen utensils and furniture, they bring themselves with a posture of learning about the Afghan culture, such as sitting on a plush rug while sipping mint tea and snacking on dried fruit. No matter what, each visit fosters a deepening of relationships that has been mutually meaningful.

“These families have a lot to teach us,” reflects Pastor Doug. “Not a lot of us know about the Islamic faith, and we have the opportunity to learn as we grow in relationship together.”

Laura Smith, a grade school intervention specialist and Divinity member who visits weekly, often spends her time with the mother and children. The children greet her with big smiles, as they comb over English grammar and alphabet cards together. She is amazed at how quickly they have learned and was proud to see them enroll at their local school.

“Biblically, both in the Old Testament and New Testament, we are challenged by the prophets and Jesus who talked a lot about loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself,” says Pastor Doug. “He teaches us to love one another, no matter who it is, especially people in need. Working with refugee families can feel new and different, which pushes us personally and spiritually. It’s in these times that God really brings His presence into our awareness.”

While God always leaves an element of mystery to His plans and purposes, we know He always delights to dwell among us. Only He knows who He’s bringing to Cleveland next, but when we welcome the stranger in our midst, we also experience the very Spirit of Jesus along with them. What a gift! At The Hope Center for Refugees and Immigrants, Building Hope in the City’s satellite welcome center in West Park, we welcome the stranger among us the same way Jesus once welcomed us into His family.

Would you pray with us and consider how you might come alongside newly arriving families?  Global unrest has displaced millions more refugees in the last few weeks, and God-willing, we’ll see arrivals from Ukraine in the coming months.  With your support, we can meet tangible short-term needs as well as longer-term needs for community, resources and hope.  Join us with your time and talent or with a financial gift (or both!) here!  Thank you for all of the ways you are generous to Him.