Afghan Refugee Resettlement Ministry

Between August 14 and 25, 2021, the United States evacuated over 82,000 individuals, including American citizens and vulnerable Afghan nationals, following the collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban. Many of the Afghan refugees are being resettled in the United States. Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma on August 18, 2021 issued a statement welcoming up to 1,800 refugees in Oklahoma, the third highest total in the nation after California and Texas, with some 1,000 coming to Oklahoma City and 800 to Tulsa. Catholic Charities is the sole resettlement agency in the state and has invited faith groups and private organizations to help with this enormous process. 

As a congregation that believes in and practices “open arms” living, Bethany First Church is assisting in this resettlement effort. Our goal is to help resettle one Afghan refugee family of up to six persons before the end of 2021 with others to follow after the new year. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City projects the following areas of need for Afghan refugees:

• Lodging (including set up)
• Legal services
• Medical care
• English Language Training/English as a Second Language
• Employment
• Transportation
• Translation
• Financial assistance
• Counseling/trauma support

BFC will be involved in the initial setting up of an apartment or home for our first family. This will include furniture and other normal household goods. Furniture donations will be made by special arrangement only. Furthermore, we will reach out and befriend this family as they will need support and encouragement in settling into another culture. We will attempt to match the refugee family with families in BFC that are similar in age and number.

If you have a desire to help, please fill out the Afghan Refugee Ministry Volunteer Form. We will make every effort to respond as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Barbi Moore, BFC’s Director of Global Outreach at bmoore@bethanynaz.org.