Stories of Syrian refugees flooding Europe have filled recent news broadcasts, but caring for the needs of these people is nothing new for The Alliance. For 10 years, an Alliance community center in the Middle East has served Iraqi, Syrian, and Sudanese people who have been forced to leave their countries to escape war or persecution.
Located next door to an Alliance fellowship that exists today because of people who gave to the Great Commission Fund, the Second Circle Center is the home of many services. It offers a free clinic for refugees, an English language program, activities for children and mothers, and other relationship-building things like cooking classes, a knitting and crochet club, and a book club.
“While our city is full of English classes, our students remain faithful to our center because of the love they experience from their teachers and the community they develop in their classes,” said Jared and Rachel, Alliance workers at the center.
Throughout the years, many local believers, Alliance international workers, and volunteers have come to support the center’s mission to bless its community. Earlier this summer, believers from Jordan, Mexico, the United States, and China joined Jared and Rachel to host an English kids’ camp at the center. More than 30 children from the surrounding area showed up every day for songs, games, English classes, stories, crafts, snacks, and fun.
On the last day of camp, the children’s entire families were invited to a meal, and the leader of the local fellowship shared the good news with them.
One child who attended the camp is the youngest of three sons. His older brothers both have cerebral palsy and other significant disabilities. Though they are teenagers, they are the size of preschoolers, with emaciated arms and legs, and have to be carried around everywhere by their parents or pushed around in an old double-stroller.
The boys’ father is a regular at the center’s English language classes and also faithfully attends Interfaith Dialogue. (Interfaith Dialogue is a weekly opportunity for people of all religions to discuss their viewpoints on key topics in an open and nonjudgmental environment.)
“Through these classes, and through his relationship with international workers, this man has had more exposure to the Truth than most Syrian refugees and is always open to hearing more,” Rachel said. “However, he has not yet given any indications of being ready for a life change.”
Pray this particular family will come to know the Lord as well as all the refugees reached by Second Circle Center. Pray also for the volunteers who served two weeks at kids’ camp that the Father would continue to work mightily through them.
Learn More
The pastor of an Alliance church in the Middle East talks more about the Alliance’s ministry to Syrian refugees.