Take Action

Together, we believe that we can contribute a generous and gracious voice to our nation's public conversation on people seeking asylum, as we imagine and pursue peace, restoration and welcome for all. 

As Christians, we must seek to fulfil our calling to challenge society’s injustice. Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said that Christians shouldn’t just be pulling people out of the river – we should be going upstream to find out who’s pushing them in. Structures and systems that keep people in situations of injustice must be changed: this is the work of advocacy.

When you listen deeply and take up meaningful actions, like those listed below, you are helping pursue a nation that looks more like the one God intended. 

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Refugee Week

Refugee Week in Australia is always held from Sunday to Saturday of the week which includes 20 June (World Refugee Day). Refugee Week is a great time to celebrate the rich diversity that refugees bring to Australia and to take action for justice for people seeking asylum. As Refugee Week approaches, you can find a range of events happening at the Refugee Council of Australia webpage. 

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Write a Letter to the Minister for Immigration

The Church has a critical role to play in advocating for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. Together, our collective voices can have a powerful impact in calling our nation's leaders to respond in compassion, welcome, love and action to those seeking safety on our shores. 

We invite you to send a letter or email to the Minister for Immigration, calling for a just and more compassionate response to those seeking asylum and refuge in Australia, including ending offshore processing, increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, and Increase Aid to address the Global Refugee Crisis.

Find Common Grace’s template letter here. 

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Refugee Bible Study 

We invite you and/or your church community to reflect on powerful and personal stories through a four-part bible study series. Each study includes a story from someone with lived experience of seeking asylum, a bible passage, and a series of discussion questions that will inspire, challenge and encourage you to reflect on the role and opportunity that each of us has in creating communities that love and seek justice for our refugee neighbours.

It is our deep hope and prayer that this series will move you and your community closer towards God’s heart for justice, as we work towards the day when those who come to our shores for safety will be welcomed with kindness and compassion.

Sign up for this Bible Study Series here.

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Welcome Home Project

Our Christian communities can be places of deep connection, welcome and support for those seeking asylum in Australia, putting into loving action God’s call for us to “welcome the stranger” (Matt 25:35). The Welcome Home Project is a newly launched pathway for churches and Christians to engage with community sponsorship, offering a series of tools and resources specifically designed for Christians and churches to mobilise their communities across the country.

The community sponsorship programme is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the tangible love of Jesus by helping refugees find a home in local communities across Australia. This is an opportunity for the lives of Australian Christians and refugees to be mutually enriched and transformed.

Read a powerful story from Carrie Unser about the impact and blessing of the community sponsorship programme. 

Discover more about the Welcome Home Project here. 

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PREVIOUS ACTIONS

Time For A Home

Common Grace joined the National #TimeForAHome Campaign calling for a permanent resettlement solution and the end to detention.

Christians United for Afghanistan

We, the Australian Church, are calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly to protect people from Afghanistan, reunite families, and welcome a special refugee intake of 20,000 men, women and children to Australia.

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Learn more about people seeking asylum here.