Dallas Churches Unite Around Refugee Situation

DALLAS - Nov. 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Over 100 church leaders and members from across North Texas came together this week to discuss the refugee situation. Scheduled months ago, the timing was providential. The main purposes of the meeting were (1) to explain the refugee resettlement process and (2) to present a model to coordinate efforts to help whatever refugees come to Dallas in the spirit of love and compassion. Unite is not an advocacy organization, so opinions about public policy were not addressed in depth.


Speakers included:

○ Jason Clarke, Executive Director of Seek the Peace, expert in the refugee resettlement process

○ Nita Thomason, a Woodcreek Church member with 14 years of experience working with refugees

○ Rebecca Walls, Executive Director of Unite, host of the event

In attendance were representatives of one of our local resettlement agencies, at least 3 former refugees, at least one American Iraq War vet, several public officials, and multiple pastors and nonprofit leaders. The agenda included:

○ A history and detailed explanation of the intensive vetting process that has successfully brought refugees from countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia for 35 years with only 3 incidents of individuals trying to cause harm to the United States.

○ An explanation of the prioritization criteria including health concerns, women and girls at risk due to gender, widows and orphans, and those in danger for religious or political reasons.

○ An explanation of the needs of incoming refugees and a model for how churches and others can support the Resettlement Process.

The information shared at this meeting is our best defense against the understandable fear our community is feeling, and calming those fears is a tremendous role for the Church to play right now.

DFW is already the largest recipient of refugees in the country. Working together, we can help these refugees begin to heal from the immense trauma they have suffered and empower them to become well-adjusted members of our communities.

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About Unite

Started in 2009 by Rebecca Walls, Unite helps churches (1) understand the most critical needs of Greater Dallas including poverty and education and (2) work together with nonprofits, city government, schools, and others to address them. Unite is one of hundreds of similar organizations known in cities around the globe.

Press Contact:    Rebecca Walls
Executive Director, Unite