Migration is one of the defining realities of our century. Behind every headline are people with names, families and stories of risk and resilience. Public policy debates matter, but for followers of Jesus the first question is not partisan; it is biblical: How will we treat the stranger at our gate? “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus identifies Himself with the refugee and the newcomer: “I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35).
Hospitality in Scripture is more than politeness. It is making room in our lives for those who have none. It is the costly love that moves from sentiment to practice: a spare seat in the car, an extra place at the table, a patient conversation at the language barrier, help navigating forms and systems that feel impossible. Hebrews 13:2 adds a surprising promise – that in welcoming strangers we sometimes welcome angels without knowing it. God meets us in the guest we receive.
Prudence has a place. Churches and households should act wisely, partner with reputable agencies and ensure safety for all. But fear must not govern us. The repeated “Do not be afraid” of Scripture rings precisely because love often feels risky. The gospel itself is a story of divine hospitality: while we were outsiders, Christ welcomed us – not only with a meal, but with His life.
Welcoming newcomers also enriches the church. Congregations that embrace migrants are stretched and blessed: new languages in prayer meetings, new foods at fellowship lunches, new testimonies that expand our vision of God’s faithfulness. The body of Christ is global; when our local churches reflect that, our worship becomes a small foretaste of the multi-ethnic multitude in Revelation who praise the Lamb together.
If this feels overwhelming, start small. Learn the names of the international students or resettled families in your suburb. Offer English practice over coffee. Help someone decipher a bill. Invite a newcomer to your home for a simple meal and ask about their story. Small acts of welcome can become lifelines of belonging.
In a world where debates harden hearts, the church can be a warm doorway. Hospitality beyond politics does not ignore policy, but it rises above it to embody the compassion of Christ. We once were strangers; now we are citizens in God’s household. Let us extend the same welcome to those He places at our doorstep.