In 2022, the General Assembly declared the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) a “Sanctuary and Accompaniment Church.” In so doing, we recognize that treating immigrants and refugees with dignity and advocating for their rights is core to our faith. We celebrate that offering welcome, accompaniment and resistance to oppressive policies are central to our understanding of the Gospel.

Following this pronouncement, and mindful that the traditional terms “refugees” and “asylum” did not capture all the reasons people are compelled to flee their homelands, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) renamed this part of its work Migration Accompaniment Ministries (MAM) at the end of 2022. The word ministries (plural) recognizes that there are a variety of ways in which congregations and individuals, guided by the Holy Spirit, live out their solidarity with refugees and other migrants. MAM supports those who actively do the accompaniment with technical, spiritual and financial support, in addition to amplifying the voices of refugees and asylum seekers with public policy makers.

Observe World Refugee Day June 20!

PDA shares GA decisions from 2022 (Photo by Randy Hobson)

The next chapter: congregational support for refugees and asylees (Photo by John Ellis)

How to host a prayer vigil (Photo by Mark Hebert)

Get more involved in immigration advocacy

Engaging in Matthew 25 webinar

The PC(USA)’s associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries presents on climate change’s impact on migration

‘A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast’ features MAM

Spreading the Vision of Matthew 25 across the Church

The PC(USA) believes that we are called to serve Jesus by contributing to the well-being of the most vulnerable in all societies – rural and urban, small and large, young and not-so-young. From affordable housing to community gardens to equitable educational and employment opportunities to healing from addiction and mental illness to enacting policy change – there is not just one way to be a part of the Matthew 25 movement.