People of Refuge
New City Development Community Service
Introduction
"Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, 'the Lord will surely exclude me from his people.' And let not any eunuch complain, 'I am only a dry tree.' For this is what the Lord says: 'To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant - to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant - these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.' " Isaiah 56:3-7
God in his infinite mercy, manifested since the creation the perfect desire to love his people faithfully. He promised to himself to be the God of his people eternally. His people are a people who love mercy, who do justice, and who walk humbly before him. Today his people is one chosen from many nations, from various languages, from diverse ethnicities, from every race. It is a people who walks through history towards an encounter with its creator. We are pilgrims, participants in the Good News of the kingdom of God in Christ, our Lord and Savior, our only hope. He was declared by God since the beginning of time to be the plentitude of his creation.
Today New City Fellowship is a witness of God's will for his people. We see many people from different languages, tribes and nations becoming part of a beautiful process of reconciliation in Christ. At the same time we are witnesses that our city, St. Louis, is beginning to live a whole different reality. The mix of the nations is perceived in the streets, in the neighborhoods, in walking through the parks.
The church is called to be multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic, and New City is no exception. God is more interested than anyone in saving people. He in his infinite grace calls us to be sons and daughters and we, as the body of Christ, are those called to proclaim this news to the nations that are living in St. Louis today.
Why NCF Community Service?
God has blessed us with land and buildings not simply to possess them but rather that they might be put to the service of every group of people that inhabits the earth. Through NCF COMMUNITY SERVICE, there would be many ways in which we could affect immigrants in the innumerable necessities that overwhelm them.
Today thousands of Bosnians, Cubans, Russians, Hondurans, Congolese, Colombians, Mexicans, Vietnamese, Asians, etc. need to be served in areas such as education, immigration laws, housing, employment, social security, bank credit, etc. Various abuses are committed against the immigrant each day, precisely because of factors such as fear, ignorance, lack of service or community centers, all of which generate a larger explotation, or abuse, of the immigrant in laboral, social, economic, educational and legal areas. All of this causes greater division, larger boundaries, profound intercultural clashes, which expresses our fallen condition as human beings.
Before this reality, the people of God ought to have an active attitude, being an echo of the good news of the kingdom. Every activity should be edified in Christ as the only certain hope, showing the character of our God, which can be described with words such as mercy, love, compassion and faithfulness, for every people and nation. We have absolute confidence that God himself will add the number that are to be saved.
How Would NCF Community Service Work?
Basically, it would develop as an integral part of the ministry to immigrants, or The BRIDGE. There, three types of functions in particular would be developed: legal, educational, housing and socioeconomic programs.
A. Legal Program
Legal issues are the most tense for any immigrant. There are many processes which should be followed before authorities in this country. At the same time, there are many expenses involved when lawyers are used. The cost of legal services makes them inaccessible for many immigrants. There are some options to make these processes much less expensive and more accessible to immigrants. For example, we could solicit the collaboration of some law students in their last year of school to participate in these programs as part of their credits. Or, we could train people from different nations to learn to generate job opportunities. Immigration Project is one of the institutions that is very interested in developing a working relationship with NCF in order to make these different dynamics a reality.
It is very normal that amnesties or some type of immigration law take effect which permit immigrants who are not legal to become legalized. But there are more people who are defrauded in their interests for having believed false promises, or for having provided information that finally leads them to be deported, such as what happened with immigration law 245-I.
One of the reasons for which many immigrants do not wish to attend any congregation is the fear of being rejected for being foreigners, categorized as "undocumented", when the truth is that God is committed to saving his people, freely loving the sinner through his son Jesus Christ, in whom we have a lawyer before our Father.
The issues of contracting immigrants don't imply disinformation only on behalf of the employee, but on behalf of the employer as well. On many occasions, employers prefer not to follow the laws of immigration because they generate too many expenses and take too much time. It is easier to contract immigrants who have incorrect documents, promoting in this way a culture of corruption where the immigrant holds the greatest risk. We are called to be a part of all these issues, to invite all immigrants who feel unworthy to freely approach the feet of Christ.
B. Educational Program
The need of language is fundamental. Language is a barrier for any immigrant who makes a transition from a different country. Learning a language takes time because every immigrant needs to work and subsist at the same time. Man is a social being, and not understanding the language makes him feel marginalized.
If we as a church do not think about these issues, we are automatically marginalizing others. On the other hand, when we talk about serving our neighbors and we don't make an effort to understand them, we are indifferent to the needs of others.
Many of the immigrants who come to this country do not dedicate themselves to learning the language because there are other priorities, such as family, children, work, debts, relatives in other countries, time, which leads them to remain marginalized and distanced from the reality that surrounds them. They become like an autistic child, who cannot be understood because he lives in his own world.
Today New City Fellowship has the option of permitting the ESL program to be an integral part of the church's ministries. If we take into account the option of hosting an official ESL school, which teaches many people from various nations, we could intentionally affect people's lives as a proclamation of the gospel.
C. Housing Program
There are two different ways in order to approach this program. Assiting legal immigrants and illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants have already benefits that the government provides. We just need to contact them and help our brothers and sister to understand how to apply, what we need to do, what forms to fill out, etc.
With illegals, we need to be careful because every case is special and different. Sometimes there are avenues to become legal, sometimes not. That's why we should always have an expertise in laws and after this take the right step to proceed.
We are not serving illegals in order to fix their situations, we are serving them to provide assistance and through that preach the gospel of the kingdom again and again. The building could be a solution as housing, but we need to find out more information about the legal obstacles to this solution.
D. Socioeconomic Program
There are many programs which could be developed in areas such as housing, small businesses, creating jobs, and bank credit. All these things, in conjunction with the different ministries of NCF, have as an objective to manifest the justice of God to the nations. God is committed to us walking with him, serving the entire community as it says in Acts 2. For some years, through the different ministries of NCF the love of God has been shown to different Anglo and African-American communities, working in issues of reconciliation. However, now God is extending our minds and hearts in order to minister to people from other nations, taking them the Good News of the kingdom of God in such a way that they know Christ in all his depth, his breadth, and his height, and how we, as his sons and daughters, can worship him as one.
This is declared in Isaiah 61, where the good news is proclaimed to the poor, to the broken-hearted, to the captives, to the prisoners, to those who mourn, because they will be called "oaks of rightousness, a planting of the Lord...They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated. They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast." Isaiah 61:3-6
Specific Descriptions for New City Fellowship's Assistance of Immigrants, Refugees, and Widows
1. Our House Church network: a gathering of friendship families and individuals
The house churches are our first line of care and nurture, pastorally and diaconally. We are not alone...we are surrounded and connected to a host of families and individuals who, together, have the received the grace of the gospel & the power of the Spirit to love and care for those whom the Lord of the Harvest is bringing into our midst.
Purpose: To provide, primarily through house churches, ongoing friendship, assistance, networking to government agencies; the NCF diaconal team and staff; as well as to other NCF ministry teams (Free Store, New Hope Moms, etc.); and to alert our entire congregation to the needs of an individual immigrant/refugee or family. * Applies also to American widows.
Each house church should select a "point person"; (other than the house church leader) who will coordinate the care and direct people toward the proper resources. The point person should call a staff contact person with any questions.
Specific Tasks:
- Make contact with the individual/family at least once a week, and more often initially.
- Once a week, someone in your house church should have a personal meeting at the individual/family's home, at a local restaurant or coffee shop, or perhaps while running errands or shopping, or invite them to your home for a meal.
- Update New City staff contact people if the individual goes to the hospital, becomes ill, or is in need of food or other resources beyond the realm of your group's ability to provide.
- Direct the family to the appropriate place to begin the process of becoming established in the St. Louis area as a registered immigrant/refugee, and begin the paperwork for government aid. The initial paperwork is easiest when followed through by one individual. The International Institute on South Grand is the beginning place for refugees; SLATE at Olive and 11th downtown is available to anyone for help with ESL and job training, as well as connection to health clinics. Appointments must be made to apply for food stamps, Medicaid, monthly stipend (most refugees are eligible for 8 months). Aid must be reapplied for every 3 months. ESL and job training must be a high priority during the first 8 months.
- The appropriate documents must be in hand for each appointment. This includes their legal picture ID, green card or letter of employment / unemployment, statement of income it they have any, recent utility and rent bills, any medical information available, and the MO state forms needed for whatever is being applied to receive (i.e. food stamps, Medicaid, rental assistance...) These forms are available through their assigned caseworker, and then taken to the proper office (DFS, International Institute, SLATE...)
- Transportation and an interpreter must be scheduled for each appointment (unless you speak their language), all of which will be during the workweek, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
- Help get the children enrolled in ESL schools (we have names and numbers to call). Get list of required items from schools and help purchase them.
- Help make the necessary connections with the tutoring ministry and English assistance team (Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour) as necessary and applicable. Offer individual tutoring if needed.
- Transportation and help with grocery shopping once a week. This will probably need to include an Aldi/Shop 'N Save type store and an international market to meet their dietary and budget needs. (A packet is being prepared to aid this process.)
- Find appropriate clothing for the different seasons. Most families come with warm weather clothing only, and very little of that. The Free Store, thrift stores, or a friend's closet could prove helpful!
- Assist them with public transportation connections and options.
- Assist with financial issues and setting up a budget. Make sure they know the value of our money, and help with "lifestyle skills" to be able to make realistic choices with their income (i.e. keeping heat and A/C at temperatures they can afford, shopping choices, phone options). Check in monthly for a while to see how they are doing. This would include such basics as opening a bank account, being a resource for all kinds of financial questions, being open to give helpful advice and/or walk through the process of getting loans, dealing with credit and credit cards, etc Contact person: Bryan Swedlund at (314) 644-4728.
- Be an advocate on a host of legal issues, which would include filling out and filing legal papers and helping them to connect with local resources and representation.
- Housing is always a special challenge that you will need to walk new families through. Many options are available and programs exist to assist with rent, utilities, and the purchase of a home.
- Be a friend. Take them on an outing to the St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Forest Park, or City Museum. Let them practice English words with you by pointing to objects and repeating the correct name. Some communication is possible through hand gestures and expressions. It may be awkward at first, but can turn into great fun!
2. Transportation (in partnership with the house church connection)
Sunday Rides
Purpose: to provide rides to and from church, including the Sunday school hour.
Times:Depends on 1st or 2nd service and geography. You may share with others, and arrange to pick up every other Sunday,
or once a month.
Specific Tasks:
- Call before Sunday to set up a pick-up time.
- Connect family with language assistance if needed when you arrive at NCF.
- Show them how to find bathrooms, Sunday School rooms, English Conversation class during coffee time, etc.
- Assure that they get home after the service.
Other Transportation Needs (see above section)
3. Language Needs
Contact: Courtney Hernandez: (314) 726-2302
Conversational/Friendship English Ministry
Purpose: To provide a new English speaker with a conversational partner(s).
Specific Tasks:
- Participate Sundays at New City Fellowship from 10:30am 11:15am in the cafeteria
- Share a cup of coffee around the table with those who just want to practice their English conversation. Be willing to correct mistakes.
- Set up your own time with an immigrant/refugee to practice English
Reading with Students
Purpose: Teach immigrant students to read by reading alongside them.
Location: At their homes or at a meeting place convenient for both tutor and tutoree.
Specific Tasks:
- Meet or speak by phone with Courtney Hernandez for orientation.
- Read with a student for at least one hour/week.
Translators (French, Spanish, Bosnian, and Swahili)
Purpose: Provide translation for diaconal visits, church services, legal meetings and other settings, together with translation needs related to legal documents and printed English material.
Specific Tasks: (Commitment and skill levels will vary)
- Lower level: Translating Free Store deliveries for NCF workday on the second Saturday of every month.
- Moderate level: Being open to translating during the week for appointments with DFS, banks, courts, clinics or doctors, etc.
- Moderate - High level: Translating for church services (French: Sundays 8:30a.m.-10:15a.m.OR Spanish: Sundays 11:30a.m.-1:15p.m.)
4. Free Store and Pantry
See Free Store page
Give Dry/Canned Goods and Children's Clothing
Purpose: Share God's love with immigrants, the elderly, handicapped, and single moms with furniture and food items,
along with children's and winter clothing.
Location: New City Fellowship campus
Specific Tasks:
- Assist by donating bulk amounts of rice and beans and other basic items.
- Assist by donating children's clothing (sizes newborn through 6X), sweaters, coats, hats, and gloves in all sizes
- Assist by donating furniture, especially mattresses, dressers, desks, tables and chairs, and sofas.
- Help sort and organize donations received at the Free Store. Specific times for this service are: 9a.m.-11:30a.m. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
Contact: (314) 726-2302
