New name.
Same mission.
LIRS is now Global Refuge.
Welcoming newcomers since 1939.
See Our EvolutionCongregational Resources
Living out the Biblical call to welcome the stranger
Congregations play an invaluable role in welcoming immigrants and refugees to their new communities, whether sponsoring a family, showing solidarity through advocacy, or accompanying new neighbors in other ways.
Global Refuge creates resources to support congregations in living out the Biblical call to welcome the stranger. We pray these resources will encourage, educate, and engage your congregation in the work of welcome.
Please note: We are currently working to update our resources as we complete our branding transition. Thank you for your patience!
The Global Refuge Identity
In 2024, we adopted our new name – Global Refuge. While we understand that this news is exciting for some and difficult for others, we assure you that our mission, vision and values remain unchanged. To learn more about the decision, our critical work in 2024, and our plans for enhanced faith and mobilization work, watch our webinar.
To share more about Global Refuge and our mission, we are creating a congregational toolkit including bulletin inserts, a PowerPoint presentation, new logos, worship resources and more. Stay tuned!
Questions? Comments? Reach our team at WorkOfWelcome@globalrefuge.org!
Disinformation Toolkit for Community Leaders
In response to your requests for resources to have difficult conversations about immigration in your communities, Global Refuge recently hosted a webinar for 100 or so faith leaders from across the country. In this webinar, we shared a toolkit for countering disinformation and gave tips for having these conversations. Download the Disinformation Toolkit to explore common myths and facts as well as talking points and stories to share with your community. To learn more about this resources, watch a live Recording of the Webinar
If you have additional needs or would like to request a Global Representative visit your community, please email outreach@globalrefuge.org. Thanks for doing this faithful work!
World Refugee Day Worship Order/ Liturgy Resources
Guided by our call to welcome the stranger, it is more important than ever for faith communities to be a beacon of welcome and kindness for our newest neighbors. Combatting disinformation doesn’t only take place in 1:1 conversations with parishioners; it is also done preemptively by being mindful of the image we hold up of immigrants in our communities. We invite you to join with us in sharing stories of newcomers in a sacred and celebratory way. This can take place in how you preach, in the biblical stories you highlight and in the way you worship.
To aid you in this work, we have created a World Refugee Sunday Worship Order for you to share in your community. Download the resource today and you will have everything you need to develop a Christian worship service centered on hospitality, refuge, and welcome.
Printed Materials and Bulletin Inserts
We want to make sure you have everything you need to share with your faith community about the work of Global Refuge and our new name. Congregations who support Global Refuge across the country received a special mailing with Global Refuge brochures, flyers and more. Please email outreach@globalrefuge.org if you would like your congregation to be added to the list. In the meantime, download bulletin inserts to share in your community.
Service Project Opportunity – Fresh Change
Looking for a service project for your youth group or Sunday school class? You can support our newest neighbors through the Fresh Change program. In partnership with Border Servant Corps and Lutheran Social Service of New York, Fresh Change offers an opportunity to welcome newcomers with a bag of new clothing, personal care items, feminine hygiene supplies, and more. Using our toolkit, your community will have step by step instructions for hosting a bag packing event and sending them to our neighbors at the border and in New York, ensuring they are welcomed with care and dignity.
Ambassador Network
The Global Refuge Ambassador Network is a place where community leaders, students, advocates, volunteers, and people from all walks of life are equipped to use their unique gifts in the work of welcome. By engaging your community in learning about and acting on issues facing immigrants and refugees through the Global Refuge Ambassador Network, you can be a part of a national movement for more just and welcoming communities across the country. Join us!
Gather — Congregational Toolkit
Learn more about a region or country where the refugees Global Refuge serves come from through the Gather program. With the Gather Toolkits, your faith community can engage with cultural and educational resources, discussion guides, worship resources, and stories of immigrant families from that region. Gather is open to learners of all ages!
Archive
Over the years, the Mobilization and Faith Relations team has created a number of resources that have responded to a certain moment in our history. Please feel free to use any that resonate with you.