Don't be a stranger

Name
Dave Smith

Place of residence

Manchester

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Occupation

Director, Boaz Trust

Dave founded the Boaz Trust four years ago and as Director, has watched it grow and develop into the organisation it is now. The Boaz Trust works with refused asylum seekers providing accommodation for them, assisting them in finding medical and legal services, befriending them and campaigning on behalf of them. Dave lives in Gorton, Manchester with his wife Shona. He has five children, three of whom are grown up. They attend South Manchester Family Church.

"The biggest challenge is persuading the Church that the work we do is part of the gospel. In the Bible Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that he is being punished because he is being unjust to the poor. No person in society is more impoverished than the refused asylum seeker - they have no right to stay, no right to work, no right to accommodation. God's heart is wide and challenges us to get out of the pew.

I was fairly non-political until this issue came up for me. I then realised that Christians need to be political beings as well as spiritual ones. Jesus never made a distinction, so nor should we. He was very political and challenged the rulers of his time.

Asylum seekers hold on to their home culture more than migrants usually because they have often been forced to leave. Sometimes they don't even know where they are heading to when they make the move. 

Asylum seekers and refugees need friends. One lady said she had often been asked whether she appreciated a roof being put over her head and she replied yes, but she was more grateful to have a friend.

Go somewhere to meet migrants or asylum seekers and find out their personal stories. The key for befriending these people is to understand where they are coming from. Offer your church as a meeting place for community organisations or connect with the local Red Cross or refugee support."