Recent tragic events in Afghanistan have touched the hearts of us all – and given Christians in the DMV area a tremendous opportunity to serve our new neighbors in need. Thousands of Afghans risked their lives to help US forces in Afghanistan, therefore they are now being targeted by the Taliban. The United States is helping many escape, and more than 2,500 are expected to arrive in the DMV. As part of the global family of God, we seek to serve the strangers among us and welcome them to our city and region.
With Afghans empowers local churches and individuals to help newly arriving Afghans. We offer the hope of Jesus by joining this work to welcome strangers and invite them in (Matt. 25:38) as they begin new lives here among us as neighbors and friends.
GET INVOLVED
Whether you are an individual, a group, a church, a nonprofit or business, we want to invite you to get involved. We suggest 5 ways of helping:
We approach God in worship, humility, lament, and expectation as we pray:
Suggestions for intercession
Praying through scripture is an excellent way to pray. Here are two passages to consider.
Matthew 25:35
Luke 10:25-36
Consider reading this passage, pause silently, read again, and then pray.
Scholar NT Wright comments on this passage and challenges readers this way:
“What is at stake, then and now, is the question of whether we will use the God-given revelation of love and grace as a way of boosting our own sense of isolated security and purity, or whether we will see it as a call and challenge to extend that love and grace to the whole world.” (p.128 Luke for Everyone series)
Links to Donate Time and Goods:
Learn how you can lend a voice and serve alongside those providing legal assistance.
Links to ways to welcome, assist, and host Afghans.
For Individuals & Groups:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (ccda.net)
For Churches: Click to be directed to Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. They are partnering with Church World Service to resettle Afghans in partnership with local churches.
The Knowledge Base provides links to resources and training for individuals, groups, churches, nonprofits and businesses to tangibly help our Afghan friends.
Have a question or need to discuss other ways to get involved? Contact our With Afghans Director, Rev. Mary Gardner at mary.gardner@oneheartdc.org or Heather Hall, Director of Mobilization at heather.hall@oneheartdc.org