Good Neighbor initiative

Apply

I AM APPLYING AS

Individual

Family

Small Group/Sunday School Class

NAME

First Name

Last Name

FAMILY

If you are an individual or family, please list the names and ages of all of those living in your home. Anyone over the age of 18 will be required to consent to a background check.

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

MOBILE

(###)

###

####

SPOUSE MOBILE

(###)

###

####

EMAIL ADDRESS

BACKGROUND CHECK

I certify that I am the head of my household and will share the results of my background check with The Good Neighbor Initiative Team.

I am not the head of household. I understand that a background check must be completed by the head of my household and shared withThe Good Neighbor Initiative Team before I am approved for the Good Neighbor Initiative.

I AM AN ACTIVE CHURCH MEMBER AT

MY PASTORS NAME

If you attend a larger church, please provide the name of a pastor with whom you have a personal relationship. ie: This does NOT have to be your Senior/Lead Pastor.

NATIONALITY REQUEST

Please indicate if you have a preference on the nationality of the refugee family to whom you would be matched. Although we will do our best to honor your request, there is no guarantee this will be possible.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Report On Your Last Contact

NAME

First Name

Last Name

MY NEIGHBORS NAME

First Name

Last Name

REFUGEES ADDRESS

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

I LAST MET WITH MY NEIGHBOR ON

MM

DD

YYYY

TELL US ABOUT IT

HOW CAN WE BE PRAYING FOR YOU

Tell Me More

"...you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:31

“…(Jesus said) I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” - Matthew 25

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. The “Love the Refugee” portion of Good Neighbor is a program created in partnership with St. Louis Metro and Oasis International and is open to members of churches connected with either of these organizations. When members in good standing of those churches have applied and been selected, they are invited to the training and will eventually be matched 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.

get involved

THE COMMITMENT

visit your new neighbor at least once a month
pray for your new neighbor regularly
as you are comfortable and God leads, invite them to your home for a meal, special occasion, a holiday
complete the "Checking In" form on a monthly basis

We would like for you to start the process with a 12 month commitment in mind, but we realize that sometimes people don't connect or relate well. It's ok! You can always choose another refugee to befriend. It's not a big issue. Just communicate with us!

edited Good Neighbor Hanan & Melissa Kocher.jpg

GETTING STARTED

Pray. Ask the Father if He would like you to become a good neighbor to a refugee family.
Understand the GNI is a program for partnering churches of St. Louis Metro and the Oasis International network of churches. If you or your church is not a part of those churches, you can still volunteer to help refugees in incredible ways! Click here to find out how
Be prepared to pay $15.95 for your application fee, which includes your training and required background check.
Understand and agree to a two-hour training session.
Apply now.

Our Vision

"There has to be a way to better connect the local church with refugee moms, dads, and families new to St. Louis.” This was the thought that kept running through my mind for several years. I mean it’s really not complicated is it? Jesus taught us that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor. I pulled some of our team members together around a conference table. These are bright, creative, thoughtful people who love God and love people. From that meeting The Good Neighbor Initiative was formed, an effort in partnership with Oasis International to match up Christians from partnering local churches to new refugees families in St. Louis. Our vision is to see hundreds of real friendships formed honoring the teachings of Christ, exemplifying what the Apostle Paul said matters most, which is faith expressing itself in love. (Gal. 5:6)

Darren Casper - Plant Midwest, St. Louis Metro Baptist Association