The Global Refugee Crisis: What are U.S. obligations and the Church’s Response?

At a time when there are more forcibly displaced persons than at any other time since World War II, the international community has struggled with how to tangibly and practically respond to the refugees arriving at their borders. The U.S. has traditionally welcomed more refugees than any other country in the world while also leading the world in providing humanitarian assistance to refugees overseas. How should the international community and the United States continue to respond to the global refugee crisis? Also, how can the church think Biblically and respond holistically to refugees and displaced persons, overseas or right in their own back yards?

Jenny Yang provides oversight for all advocacy initiatives and policy positions at World Relief. She has worked in the Resettlement section of World Relief as the Senior Case Manager and East Asia Program Officer, where she focused on advocacy for refugees in the East Asia region and managed the entire refugee caseload for World Relief. Prior to World Relief, she worked at one of the largest political fundraising firms in Maryland managing fundraising and campaigning for local politicians. She is co-author of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate, serves as Chair of the Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) Africa Work Group, and was named one of the “50 Women to Watch” by Christianity Today.