Refugees & Churches
“In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, and in all things Charity”
Refugees.
A refugee is “[a] person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” (United Nations Convention of 1951 and Protocol of 1967 Relating to the Status of Refugees)
Asylees.
Asylees “are people who move across borders in search of protection, but who may not fulfill the strict criteria laid down by the 1951 Convention. Asylum seeker describes someone who has applied for protection as a refugee and is awaiting the determination of his or her status. Refugee is the term used to describe a person who has already been granted protection.
Asylum seekers can become refugees if the local immigration or refugee authority deems them as fitting the international definition of refugee… The terms asylum seeker/asylee and refugee differ only in regard to the place where an individual asks for protection. Whereas an asylum seeker asks for protection after arriving in the host country, a refugee asks for protection and is granted this protected status outside of the host country.” (unesco.org)
Asylum seekers can become refugees if the local immigration or refugee authority deems them as fitting the international definition of refugee… The terms asylum seeker/asylee and refugee differ only in regard to the place where an individual asks for protection. Whereas an asylum seeker asks for protection after arriving in the host country, a refugee asks for protection and is granted this protected status outside of the host country.” (unesco.org)
Churches.
RefugeKC exists to welcome refugees as our new-American neighbors with Gospel-focused ministries of mercy so they might know the love of Christ and follow Him into His Kingdom.
We are a Christian non-profit ministry dedicated to glorifying God by welcoming the stranger among us. One of the primary ways we do this is by empowering and mobilizing local churches to welcome and serve displaced people who settle in Kansas City.
We are a Christian non-profit ministry dedicated to glorifying God by welcoming the stranger among us. One of the primary ways we do this is by empowering and mobilizing local churches to welcome and serve displaced people who settle in Kansas City.
Statistics.
Currently worldwide, there are more than...
Million Refugees
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Million Internally Displaced Persons
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Resettled To KC Each Year
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According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are about 22.5 million refugees worldwide with an additional 40.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In 2015, 70,000 refugees were resettled in the United States, which will increase to 85,000 in 2016 and 100,000 in 2017.
These aren't just numbers. Each one of these refugees and asylees has their own life; their own story. Whey they arrive, they get here with little more than painful memories, yet they cling to an earnest hope for safe and peaceful new beginnings.
In Kansas City.
Approximately 500 refugees are resettled in Kansas City each year through 9 resettlement agencies. These resettlement agencies assist refugees with housing, furniture, kitchen supplies, linens, appropriate clothing, groceries, pocket money, transportations, health screening, employment coaching and community orientation.
These resettlement agencies provide the majority of their services for the first 3-6 months that a refugee is in the US.
After this time period is when RefugeKC can step in and provide continuing services to these refugee families.
These resettlement agencies provide the majority of their services for the first 3-6 months that a refugee is in the US.
After this time period is when RefugeKC can step in and provide continuing services to these refugee families.
Right here in KC.
From Somalia
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From Burma
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From Sudan
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From Iraq
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Seeking Refuge.
Somalis.
The total Somali population in Kansas City is about 7,250, living mostly in the Northeast, North Kansas City, and Overland Park. The main Somali group in KC are the Cushite Somalis (5,500) followed by the Somali Bantu (900), and Barawa and Bajun (850).
The Somali population is so large that Somali is the 3rd most spoken language in KC homes, trailing only English and Spanish.
Somalis have been coming to Kansas City since 1990 to flee the war in their country. There is only 1 known Somali believer in Kansas City, and many have explained “To be Somali is the be Muslim".
The Somali population is so large that Somali is the 3rd most spoken language in KC homes, trailing only English and Spanish.
Somalis have been coming to Kansas City since 1990 to flee the war in their country. There is only 1 known Somali believer in Kansas City, and many have explained “To be Somali is the be Muslim".
People Groups From Burma.
There are about 3,000 people in Kansas City coming from various tribes in Burma. The largest group in Northeast of Kansas City are the Karen with about 1000 people.
They are predominantly Christian and worship at two different Karen congregations: Emmanuel Karen Baptist Church in the Northeast and Grace Baptist Church in the Northland. There are about 1,500 Chin living primarily in Kansas City, KS, with a few Haka Chin living in Missouri. There are also about 200 Burmese Muslims residing in the Northeast
They are predominantly Christian and worship at two different Karen congregations: Emmanuel Karen Baptist Church in the Northeast and Grace Baptist Church in the Northland. There are about 1,500 Chin living primarily in Kansas City, KS, with a few Haka Chin living in Missouri. There are also about 200 Burmese Muslims residing in the Northeast
Sudanese.
There are about 1,200 Sudanese in Kansas City. There are about 150 North Sudanese families and at least three times as many from South Sudan.
Beginning in 2014, there have also been resettlers from Darfur in Western Sudan. Those from North Sudan and Darfur are primarily Muslims, whereas many South Sudanese are Christians
Beginning in 2014, there have also been resettlers from Darfur in Western Sudan. Those from North Sudan and Darfur are primarily Muslims, whereas many South Sudanese are Christians
Iraqi Arabs.
About 4000 Iraqi Arabs live in Kansas City. Most live in the Northeast, the Northland, or scattered throughout the city and South KC. Most Iraqi Arabs are Muslim with a few Catholics. A handful of Iraqi believers in Kansas City strive to reach their own people.
Further Info.
For more information on the people groups of Kansas City, please visit the website of our partner, People Teams.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).