STEINBACH, Man.—In August 2021, the country of Afghanistan came under the rule and authority of the Taliban. For many Afghans who follow Christ, this change in government meant they needed to flee the country, or—in situations where they had already fled—they could never return.

In response, the EMC General Board is encouraging EMC churches to consider sponsoring Afghan Christian refugee families to come to Canada. EMC and other Mennonite denominations have an agreement with MCC Canada to provide the sponsorship support for this initiative.

You or your church can help in two ways:

Sponsor a family to come to Canada. Once a church or group makes the commitment to sponsor, a family will be assigned to that church.

Provide funding. Since the costs can be considerable, the General Board has created a special project of $50,000 to provide seed money (up to $5,000 per church or group) to churches that will sponsor these refugees.

Go to www.emconference.ca/respond for more information or to donate to this project.