[2nd edition revised 2026]

The EFC and its partners in the Refugee Resettlement Roundtable produced this practical resource to help private sponsors welcome and settle individuals and families into a new life in Canada.

The full booklet is 68 pages. The first edition from 2020 is no longer available. The second edition from 2026 is the current edition.

Filled with personal stories from those who have walked the path of sponsorship from the very first stages of inquiry to building relationships with the individuals and families who arrive in Canada, as well as stories and insights from refugees themselves, this resource is a tool for a discussion group or study guide in any church or community considering sponsorship.

It will especially help those who want to be involved, but don’t know where to start on the journey of sponsoring refugees to Canada.

The PDF is available free to download. To order free printed copies, call toll-free 1-866-302-3362 or email EFC@TheEFC.ca to ask if we still have stock.

There's no cost for either the printed version or PDF version of this publication, but we do ask that you help offset our costs of producing such a valuable resource with a donation. You can donate toll-free at 1-866-302-3362 or at TheEFC.ca/Donate.

You may also want to check out the Welcome Church video training program released in 2022.

Contents

 Introduction

SECTION 1: A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

 Why should Christians and the Christian community sponsor refugees? By Roy Berkenbosch

SECTION 2: FACTS AND STATS

Glossary: Explaining the terms

Infographics: World refugee resettlement

Infographics: Canadian refugee resettlement

Map: Resettled refugees in Canada by province/territory

Infographics: How refugees benefit Canada

SECTION 3: CALLED TO WELCOME – SPONSORED REFUGEES

Sponsor stories: The joy of sponsoring refugees. By Mikel Laurie

Sponsor stories: Welcoming brothers and sisters from a foreign land. By Fran Oussoren-Hamstra

Refugee stories: Overwhelmed by Christian love. By Ihsan Alkassar

Refugee stories: From persecution to peace

Timeline: The sponsor's journey

Timeline: The refugee's journey

Sponsorship in action: Best practices and those to avoid

Can my church request Christian refugees? By Jenny Miedema

SECTION 4: CALLED TO WELCOME – REFUGEE CLAIMANTS

 A ministry opportunity: An opportunity to share God's goodness. By Sam Chaise

Christian organizations working with refugee claimants across Canada

SECTION 5: NEXT STEPS

 Discussion questions

Thinking through the best way for you to be involved in caring for refugees

CONCLUSION

 Refugee Resettlement Roundtable members

Featured authors

We answer the call to welcome