Local churches are making plans to assist victims of the Syrian refugee crisis.
“Over the course of 2015, we all watched as the Syrian crisis escalated and people began to flee their homeland in droves,” said Janelle Zwart of the Refugee Committee of the Drayton Christian Reformed Church (CRC).
“Many people, myself included, feel the urge to help – an urge that has grown ever stronger as the scale of need has become more and more apparent.”
The Drayton CRC is in the process of sponsoring a refugee family to bring it to Drayton through World Renew. Church officials expect the family will arrive some time over the next month or two.
For the Drayton CRC, it all started in November 2015 at the church’s annual general meeting, when a council member raised the idea of sponsoring a family. His suggestion was met with strong, immediate endorsement from the congregation. Within a week a committee was formed and plans were underway.
“Since then we have been blessed with overwhelming support,” stated Zwart.
The estimated cost for sponsoring a family of four is $30,000, and to date the committee has raised more than two-thirds of that amount.
“Other churches who are part of the ministerial group in Drayton have indicated their interest in sponsoring refugees as well, and based on this we feel it is likely that Drayton could have several families join our community in 2016,” said Zwart.
One of those churches is the Drayton Reformed Church, which has committed to sponsoring a family, said committee member Markus Frie.
Because of the high level of support and interest received from churches and individuals in Drayton, the committee is planning to host an information session sometime in January.
The session will be led by a World Renew representative, who will provide information for those are interested in being a part of the sponsorship process.
The date will be announced once it has been confirmed. Anyone interested in learning more about sponsorship, should watch for details to be posted, or contact Zwart at 519-803-3698 or jzwart@live.ca.
