Here, we take a deep dive into the life story of Samuel Luak - Welcome Churches’ Leader for Refugee Integration and Discipleship, whom we first met in series one, sharing about the blessings of refugee ministry. 

He tells Emily about developing a personal relationship with God whilst living in a collectivist society, as well as the impact of his faith during his decades of displacement, and his perspective on the UK Church as it serves other refugees.

Samuel will be the new co-host of Love the Stranger moving forwards - along with Emily.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

What does God have to say about the stranger? 

This episode unpacks how our LORD is the God of the migrant. His Word is brimming with people of faith, who have sought refuge and sanctuary, and have been exiled and persecuted. 

Emily and Sue look at how the Bible demands us to stand in the gap and to cry out for justice; to show hospitality like Jesus. 

We see how His heart is gladdened when all nations are gathered together.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Without really knowing where it would eventually lead, Adam Martin and his wife, Karina, started out overseas for a couple of years at a church plant in what was first Soviet Estonia, where they were met by an incredible openness to the gospel and many coming to faith. 

Adam has since gone on to acquire over 25 years’ cross-cultural experience, is a church leader, and runs Intercultural Churches UK.

He and Sue talk about sitting with those who are at the point of being the outsider; building churches that are intercultural, and not just multicultural; the kind of humility that is removed from cultural pride; how being a diverse church family is more than just a new fad; and the importance of having a party together at every opportunity!

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In this episode, Emily is speaking with Samuel Luak, one of the staff team at Welcome Churches. Born and raised in Sudan, Samuel has lived in seven different countries over the past 30 years.

Refugee ministry connects God’s church across the world, and he relates some of his lived experience, when it comes to the witness that local church congregations can be to people from a refugee background. 

Samuel and Emily explore the resource that Welcome Churches is for local churches in their responses to new arrivals. 

They also discuss the unique contributions which refugees and people seeking asylum can - and should - bring to the UK Church.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

In this episode, Sue is joined by Patrick Johnstone, missionary, international speaker, researcher, author - most notably of Operation World and The Future of the Global Church - and trustee at Welcome Churches.

They chat about how he was first led to Jesus, his years in the slums of southern Africa, reverse culture shock, and the perils of being multilingual.

Patrick reveals some of his predictions on global trends in mass migration and the factors which will play into these - as well as his ideas on the future of the Church and the challenges with which it must reckon.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Get to know your co-hosts, Sue and Emily, as they share their own very different stories of first getting involved with welcoming and journeying with refugees and people seeking asylum. They also trace the charity’s beginnings.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Hello, we’re thrilled to welcome you to Love the stranger, a new podcast hosted by Sue Butler and Emily Shepherd, Joint CEOs of Welcome Churches. Here we outline what you can expect to hear from us in each episode.

Visit www.welcomechurches.org to find out more about us. You can find us @welcomechurches on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.