tell me more...
...: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:31
Every year literally hundreds of persons and families move to the St. Louis area from throughout the world. Some come as immigrants, some as refugees. They are often the looked over, left out, left behind and least of these; precious people made in God's image.
And yet they are coming here to live, to make a new home and a fresh start. Their challenges are immense. The past pain of where they once lived, fears for their children, finding decent employment, loneliness and more are among those challenges. Yes they have many needs, but often their greatest needs are simply acceptance, a sense of belonging and friendship.
These new residents of St. Louis are also our neighbors. Jesus said we are to love our neighbors and the The Good Neighbor Initiative is an effort to help us do just that. Once you have applied and been selected, The Good Neighbor Initiative will match active members of St. Louis metro association churches with a neighbor new to St. Louis they can befriend. You can become involved with The Good Neighbor Initiative as an individual or as a family! However, just as Jesus sent the disciples two by two, The Good Neighbor Initiative will send people two by two into the home of a refugee family. It doesn't take much to be a friend! You can do this! You can sign up to be a part of The Good Neighbor as an individual, a family or a small group / Sunday School class from your church.