This is a piece I co-wrote with Andy Brims. Andy is part of the team at Croydon Vineyard Church and has directed Vineyard English School since 2019. VES provides free conversational english classes in Croydon, and has welcomed hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees since its inception in 2015.

Under the auspices of Vineyard English School we recently hosted a roundtable on ‘Welcoming Well‘ which surfaced the idea of a Framework for Feeling At Home which you might want to look at in conjunction with this piece for practical ideas of how you and your community might respond to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in your midst.

The Human Face of Asylum Anxiety

In the nondescript hotel lobby that doubles as a makeshift classroom each Wednesday, Tariq1, a new student lingered after our English class. Anxiety lined his face as he pulled us aside, his words tumbling out in heavily accented English. “Am I going to be sent to Rwanda?” he asked with fear in his voice, “I’ve got a domestic worker visa…my wife is pregnant”. His raw vulnerability highlighted to us the grim reality facing those navigating the asylum process in the UK.

A couple of weeks previously Farhan2 and Ayesha*3 had met us in a similar state of panic. For months these educated professionals and their eldest children had been regularly attending our sessions while  their two youngest settled into local schools. Yet now the Home Office had told them they were to be relocated, immediately, to somewhere in the country they didn’t know, as though they were a problem to be solved, not people to respect.

Immigration and asylum spark heated, polarised debates, fuelled by concerns about limited resources for “our own” and intensified by the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024. Its proponents see this law as the ultimate deterrent, further creating a “hostile environment”. For people like Tariq, Farhan, Ayesha, it results in a maze of process and cruel political rhetoric. 

The blunt reality is that our asylum politics and policies add uncertainty and fear to the existing trauma and dislocation of those who have fled their homes for safety. The chaotic process, and fragmented information create constant apprehension, pushing the promise of peace for migrants further out of reach.

Too readily the coverage and the loudest opinions on the issue lose sight of the heart of it – which is that these are people like you and me who have left their homes out of necessity, not choice.

Across the country thousands of organisations try to respond well to the needs of the refugee and asylum seeker communities. At Croydon Vineyard we offer simple conversational English classes as a practical form of welcome.

Last year we started to work directly inside asylum accommodation, where we’ve met over a hundred people from more than 25 countries. Despite all they have endured, the students we work with remain hopeful for a safer life, and dream of sharing their talents, cultures and stories to enrich British communities and strengthen Britain’s economy. 

Going through the UK’s asylum process is nothing to be desired

We’ve been moved and shocked by the reality of life in the shadow of UK asylum policy. What we’ve seen contrasts starkly with the headlines: life in these hotels is far from a holiday. While food and board are provided, you wouldn’t choose these conditions for a short stay, let alone for the months people are left in limbo, their abilities untapped due to the rules that prevent them from working.

Indeed, because media coverage focuses on the backlog, the hotels, and Rwanda, the conversation fixates on the asylum process and not the lives of refugees.

The majority of those who claim asylum (67% of people at their initial decision)4 are recognised as refugees and granted Leave to Remain. However, when the UK government finally honours these men, women and children by believing their stories and acknowledging the dangers they have fled, many are then ushered into a more extreme form of homelessness and uncertainty.

That’s because the crisis in our care for refugees is inextricably linked to the crisis in providing housing and support to those in need.

Our housing crisis, intertwined with the broader cost of living crisis and escalating pressures on public services, means there are worthy, deserving causes everywhere we turn. These issues impact so many people – everyone in temporary accommodation dreaming of stability, families on waiting lists for public housing, and workers caught in the rent trap. It’s hard to conceive of the instability and disruption to daily life these conditions are creating. Children are growing up in environments that change with alarming frequency, affecting their education, social connections, and overall well-being.

The Body of Christ is tasked with bringing hope

Many churches across the nation have stepped into this gap. Recently, we hosted a Roundtable for such ministries working in Croydon. From offering English classes to providing meals, legal advice, or a welcoming space, followers of Jesus Christ are trying to meet the needs they encounter. These actions – the gospel in motion – are tangible expressions of faith that not only support the vulnerable but also build and enhance our society.

Such initiatives don’t just change lives; they transform entire communities, challenging misconceptions, breaking down barriers, and fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and included.

However, these actions, while wonderful, are insufficient on their own. Reflecting on the situations of Tariq, Farhan, Ayesha, and the countless others caught up in the asylum system, it becomes clear that our national policies do not measure up to values of fairness, dignity, and respect. If we are to truly honour these values, we should be driven not just by the desire to act but by the imperative to influence wider policy changes that uphold the Christian virtues of justice, mercy, and love. The challenge is not only to serve but to advocate for systemic change that ensures the dignity and well-being of Tariq, Farhan, Ayesha, and many others like them.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most widely known stories in history – but has our familiarity with it bred complacency? In just 12 verses Jesus radically redefines the contemporary model of care, making it clear to his audience that their neighbours include everyone, even strangers from unfamiliar and potentially hostile lands. As Christians we are called to see the divine image in everyone and to love them on the basis of the overwhelmingly outrageous compassion and generosity we have received from our Father in heaven.

Christians occupy a privileged place in British society: there are churches in every community, bishops in the legislature, and Christian norms of compassion and fairness are held to be fundamentally British values. We have a voice and we need to make it heard so that we not only love with our actions but also in the language we use, and the contributions we make to policy conversations.

For asylum policy, or any policy for that matter, we must ask ourselves: How can we bring light to the conversation? What would it take for policy to reflect our prayers for God’s Kingdom and His love to inhabit society? Do our actions, and the policies we support, genuinely reflect Jesus’ challenge for to expand our definition of neighbour, and love them as ourselves?

Rooting our thinking in justice and compassion

As the election approaches, perhaps these five questions can guide our engagement with politicians and help shape the next government’s asylum policy:

  1. What would need to change for the asylum process to treat the claims of each person with respect?
    We need an asylum process that treats claims swiftly and respectfully. This means offering comprehensive support from the first day of arrival, including legal aid, counselling and English classes, even for those who may not have a legal basis to remain, or who might eventually be denied asylum, and regardless of how they entered the country. It means clear, accessible communication and decision-making that acknowledges different languages and cultures. Finally, it means restoring and expanding safe legal pathways for resettlement and family reunification so that people are not so readily criminalised.
  2. How can we improve the living conditions for those awaiting asylum decisions?
    Our God is a God of abundance and we must advocate for a generous attitude towards accommodation that provides dignity and safety, as well as cash allowances that reflect the real cost of living. Beyond the material, churches can play a vital role by mobilising volunteers and organising activities that nurture well-being and respect like befriending services, baby groups, walking socials, football teams, and many more. Addressing living conditions does not just meet physical needs but directly and powerfully proclaims that these are precious children of God as they await decisions on their future.
  3. What can we do to release the skills and potential of asylum seekers?
    The clearest opportunity is to advocate for the right of asylum seekers to work, facilitating their integration and contribution to the economy. We should also be looking for ways to recognise international qualifications to help experienced professionals more quickly offer the greatest value to the job market. As the asylum community has so much to offer, local churches can offer two-way mentoring schemes and networking opportunities that connect asylum seekers with local businesses and residents. At scale, these steps would enable asylum seekers to use their skills fully to enrich our communities, and treat each individual as valuable brothers and sisters, fully integrated and actively participating in society.
  4. What can we do to provide stable, secure, and affordable housing for everyone?
    Too many people in the UK, refugees and those who have called Britain home for their entire lives, are unable to access stable, secure, and affordable housing. This is affecting so many individuals and families in our country today and contributing to the tension surrounding our asylum debate. We need to welcome new housing proposals and advocate for a significant increase of investment in social housing. We need to be encouraging the adoption of alternative housing models like co-housing and community land trusts. We also need to use our influence to hold private landlords accountable for the conditions they provide.
  5. How do we empower local communities to meet local needs and build stronger communities?
    We advocate for a renewal of local government funding and autonomy to reflect their knowledge of local needs. We encourage local Christian communities to continue their amazing work of bringing communities together. We pray for more volunteers to contribute to events and activities that celebrate the richness of diverse values and traditions. There is a huge opportunity for Christians, motivated by God’s love for everyone, to serve in bridging gaps, fostering mutual understanding and actively participating in becoming a more united and inclusive Britain.

As we ponder these questions we do so in light of an extensive Biblical foundation for showing love to the foreigner. This includes Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.  This scripture does not just call us to aid Christian asylum seekers (although many of them are our brothers and sisters in Christ), it challenges us to do good to all. This commitment should underpin our approach to asylum, influencing how we treat every individual who seeks refuge among us.

These reflections guide us toward a vision for a society characterised by the compassion, justice, and inclusivity taught by Jesus. This journey isn’t just about changing a single policy domain; it’s about living out the Gospel in our communities and fostering a country that emulates the Kingdom of God – a realm defined by boundless compassion, unwavering justice, and enduring hope.

A call to action: advocating for change

Let’s commit to being agents of change within our communities. This journey isn’t just about changing a single policy domain or a party political platform but about how as Christians we engage in public life. What we do, how we speak, and what we hold our government accountable for. The current state of life for the most vulnerable, and our national conversation on these issues, are sorely lacking in any sign of the fruit of the Spirit. s Christians we must seek opportunities to change them both as we seek to build a country that emulates the Kingdom of God – a realm defined by boundless compassion, unwavering justice, and enduring hope.

Wherever you live there will be organisations seeking to love the asylum seeker and refugee community – give them your time, your money, your things. Your practical love in action will make a tangible difference and could really help people to feel more at home.

But we can’t forget that our national policy approach to asylum is not reflecting the values of the King of Kings. The status quo is crippling too many lives. We encourage you to use the questions we’ve posed to have conversations with local and national representatives. Your gestures may be small but together in love and compassion for the refugee community we are Christ’s hands and feet to a world in need.

Prayer is our starting point, but it must move us into action. By advocating for just policies, supporting grassroots efforts, and opening our hearts and homes, we actively live out Christ’s teachings. This is an opportunity for Britain’s Christians to be beacons of transformative love, demonstrating what is possible when love guides our actions and commits us to welcoming the stranger and ensuring the well-being of our neighbours. 

Imagine the impact this could have. Imagine a Britain where compassion shapes public policy, where faith fuels community action, and where every individual is cherished, regardless of their origin or circumstance. Imagine a politics where the discourse is optimistic, and the debate is filled with hope instead of negativity and cruelty.

  1. In order to maintain anonymity I have changed his name ↩︎
  2. In order to maintain anonymity I have changed his name ↩︎
  3. In order to maintain anonymity I have changed her name ↩︎
  4. Two-thirds of asylum claims are granted protection at the initial decision stage ↩︎