World Relief Modesto

Have you ever felt “stuck” when it comes to prayer? On our latest blog, we share a prayer practice to help you connect with God and ground yourself in his presence as you move into the new year.

We believe prayer is foundational to seeing the transformation of Christ in our own lives and in the lives of others.

Visit the link for a helpful prayer tool to start afresh in the new year. https://bit.ly/3TQOF8f

Thank you for collecting coats for refugees! With so many families arriving from warmer climates and the weather getting cooler, many families were in need of coats. The coats were so great, the staff had to try them on. 😉🧥We can’t wait to bless the families with warmth.

Merry Christmas from World Relief Modesto! 🎄
Moments after this picture was taken at our Christmas brunch, this incredible team took 6 families to appointments all over the county, setup 2 homes and moved families in, met with 2 families that arrived the night before, purchased groceries and delivered them and coordinated a host home for a family last minute. All this by 5:00 pm and with smiles on their faces! Grateful for this team.

With over 130 people arriving since October 1st, our donation supplies are quickly diminishing. One urgent need are cleaning products to place families homes. Let us know if you can help!

(831) 261-6486

Happy Thanksgiving from World Relief Modesto! We are so grateful for our community, Church partnerships and for the families we have the honor of welcoming. 🍁💛

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” — Colossians 1:19-20

Last night, World Relief participated in the Refugee Newcomer Night for Turlock Unified School District. Students told their stories and resources were shared with the families. So amazing to see schools celebrate and welcome new families in such a way. 💙

There are no simple solutions to immigration. But as another election year looms, we believe it’s vital to move forward as the church Jesus intended us to be — not divided by partisanship, but united in the Spirit, declaring hope to the world.

Join us on November 14th at 10am PT/1pm ET for a 40-minute virtual roundtable where we’ll explore a biblical response to immigration that holds good tension: respecting the rule of law and the image of God in every person.

Please register now to join us! https://bit.ly/3s5lSkI

With multiple families moving into permanent housing this week, we have ran out of couches! If you have a couch in good condition that you are ready to donate, we’d love to give it to one of our new families. Please share with friends!

Contact Megan with donations: 831-261-6486

Is the church still a relevant agent for change in the world?

If you’ve found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. On the blog, Dennis Mwangwela, Director of Integral Mission for International Programs, shares how he believes the church can still create lasting and holistic change — but it starts with allowing ourselves to be changed first.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3tdcImo

Thank you LDS friends!! 🙏🏻 We were able to receive a full truck of furniture items for our new families! Thank you for being a part of building our families new homes! 🏡

This Saturday there will be a donation drive held for World Relief Modesto by our LDS friends. If you have items you’d like to bring by, WR staff will be there to receive. Donations truly make a difference! 🚛🛋️🪑

Last week our staff got to spend the day together in the foothills for a much needed day of rest and fun!

The suffering in Israel and Gaza is immense. So far, the conflict has killed over 2,700 people — and the number is expected to rise. People are in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter, medical care, sanitation and hygiene facilities and psychological support.

World Relief is poised to provide relief through our partners in the region as soon as the situation allows. Will you join us? https://bit.ly/48IY46y

World Relief and the National Association of Evangelicals are heartbroken and shocked by the devastating violence and loss of life in Israel and Gaza. We pray for peace and for all those suffering through this worsening humanitarian crisis. We urge world leaders to use all available diplomatic resources to bring an end to the fighting and renew the search for a durable peace. Innocent civilians on all sides must be protected from further bloodshed.

Will you join us as we prayerfully call upon the international community and global church to support efforts to meet the needs of civilians affected by the conflict?

What’s holding you back?

As we talk about advocacy and putting our faith into action, it’s important that we dig deep within ourselves and invite genuine transformation rooted in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

True allyship with and for the most vulnerable is not always easy.

It will pull us into spaces we don’t normally see.
It will spark conversations that bring us to the edge of our own understanding.
It will force us to confront certain biases and misconceptions we didn’t know we had.

In order to embrace the transformation God wants for each one of us, it’s vital that we prayerfully confront the things that hold us back. By doing so, we step forward into a freedom from which we can boldly advocate for our brothers and sisters, as well as into an enduring peace that can only be experienced through Christ.

So what’s holding you back today from being an active and bold advocate?

In honor of International Day of Peace, we would love to hear from you — What are some practices that help you find and sustain peace in the midst of life’s ebbs and flows?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” — Ephesians 2:19-21

As Christians, we know our true citizenship is with God's people and not in any nation on earth. And yet, we also understand that our earthly citizenship brings with it important rights and responsibilities --- rights and responsibilities that not everyone has access to.

That's why today, on , we celebrate the people of many nations who have become U.S. citizens and stand with those who are on the path toward citizenship and calling a new nation 'home.'

Today, on , we honor our global neighbors who have become U.S. citizens and stand with those who are on the path toward citizenship and calling a new nation 'home.'

Why do U.S. Evangelicals want the Afghan Adjustment Act to pass?

World Relief’s VP of Advocacy and Policy, Matt Soerens, recently wrote in the Christian Post on the shift of U.S. Evangelical support for refugee resettlement.

“Polling reflected sustained growth in evangelical support for refugee resettlement: by last year at this time, 68% of white evangelicals said that receiving refugees was an important priority. In 2018, just 25% of white evangelicals said the U.S. had a responsibility to receive refugees; four years later, just 24% disagreed with that statement.”

Read more on how evangelicals are stepping up to welcome and befriend resettled Afghans and why they support the newly introduced bipartisan bill, The Afghan Adjustment Act.

Click here to read: https://bit.ly/3qRlbLb

What is the Afghan Adjustment Act?

On July 14th, Congress introduced a bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act — a bill that would create a pathway to permanent legal status for the hundreds of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the U.S. after Kabul fell to the Taliban.

Today, we’re answering your questions about the Afghan Adjustment Act, and giving you the tools you need to advocate for our Afghan allies.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/45sn2Vq

“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ” — 1 Corinthians 12:12

Scripture tells us the body of Christ, the church, is made up of many parts — which means we each have important and unique roles! What is one sentence that describes your role in your community?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

We’d love to hear from you! What are some ways you can encourage and uplift your community this week?

Share with us in the comments below!

📣Donation need!! As our Afghan Women’s class begins, we are in need of strollers so the women can walk to class with their little ones. If you have one to donate, please contact our office. 🙏🏻

Call or text (209) 767-0648

No plans this Thursday? Want to connect with some amazing people while raising money for new refugees? Our friends at Radiant Covenant will be hosting trivia night this Thursday at Contentment Brewing Company. Hope to see you there!

“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress." - Psalm 59:16

Our Sacramento Immigration department spent the day with our team in Modesto earlier this week. We are so thankful to partner with them to serve our immigrant and refugee clients in the Central Valley!

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." — Psalm 18:2

We think summertime is the perfect opportunity to engage with your friends and family, get creative and make a positive impact in your community. ☀️

Here are three meaningful ways you can serve and love your immigrant and refugee neighbors this summer season:
- Support local businesses owned by refugees or immigrants. Eat at your favorite immigrant-owned restaurants or explore shops owned by refugees or immigrants. By supporting these local businesses, you can celebrate the diversity that enriches our communities.
- Organize a neighborhood sports event or outdoor activity. Set up a friendly soccer match, host a picnic or head to the pool together. Create lasting memories and foster connection among your neighbors.
- Practice hospitality and invite your neighbors to share a meal with you. Maybe it’s a barbecue, maybe it’s a potluck — either way, take time to eat together, listen to each other's stories and build friendships.

Share your ideas in the comments below and tag a friend who you’d like to join you! 💙

In 2022, World Relief is proud to have welcomed over 9,991 immigrants to the U.S! Each individual's journey matters, and we're honored to provide support, assistance and friendship to refugees as they rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Together, let’s continue to go further and deeper to create welcoming communities for our new neighbors.

☀️Our Youth Coordinators are excited for the Afghan Youth Program coming up this July! Irene is most excited for mentorship opportunities with the students and Zion is looking forward to cultivating community for the new coming teens.

Contact us if you’re interested in volunteering! [email protected]