What would it feel like to be a refugee and leave everything? What would it feel like to feel unsafe?

• for yourself
• for your family

Most of us will never know or experience this reality. Learn about the families we as Bow Valley Christian Church are sponsoring.

We have a unique opportunity to unleash Jesus' love as we welcome families to Canada.

What can we do?

• Pray for their safety and perseverance.
• Give your time: befriending, teaching, serving, organizing, volunteering and more.
• Increase your awareness of the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters
• Donate gifts & funds.

We are in need of a place to store donated household furniture and goods until these families arrive in Calgary. Are you able to donate long-term storage space in a climate-controlled environment?

BVCC commits to supporting families for a minimum of one year. The financial commitment is sometimes shared with extended family already here in Canada and sometimes BVCC provides full financial support for one year. Each family’s situation is unique. See the profile for each family below.

The government stipulates a minimum amount of financial support that must be given to each family. That minimum means the family is living below the poverty line. BVCC is committed to providing each family with more than that minimum. Also, unexpected, and necessary, expenses (eg. Dental costs) frequently arise and BVCC endeavours to assist families with these unexpected expenses when possible.

Your continued financial contributions to the Refugee Sponsorship Fund are needed and greatly appreciated.

We thank God for His provision through your generosity.

Update: 2022-Nov-25
On Nov 25 a small group of BVCC family met at the airport to welcome ABZ to Calgary with banners, cheers, and hugs. They received a warm welcome, not only from the people but also from the weather (a much-appreciated reprieve).

For their safety, any communication that is posted to the web will still refer to them as ABZ and no pictures of them will be posted. But, please, do come to church and meet them in person. They are eager to meet you. Remember, we are their stepping stones to becoming fully integrated into Canadian life. This involves building friendships and involvement in day-to-day activities, conversations to help with language development, and explaining and modeling the customs and culture. This is an opportunity for all of us at BVCC to unleash love!

This family is originally from Pakistan. He was always a follower and she converted from Islam to follow Jesus. Her parents are actively seeking the family to kill them because of her conversion. They have a young daughter.

Protecting their names and current location is critical for their safety.

We are co-sponsoring the refugee applications of Jamal's immediate family and cousin with him and his aunts who live in Calgary. Jamal, a young man originally from Syria, was the first refugee Bow Valley sponsored. He arrived in Canada in 2019 and has done very well for himself. He is currently enrolled in university to finish his degree.

The applications for these family members have been submitted and are in the earliest stages. We anticipate a 2 to 3-year wait before their arrival.

Pray for their protection and safety. Pray that God’s love would be evident to Jamal and his aunts here in Calgary as we work with them to bring their family members to safety.

This family of 4 is from Syria. Wassim is a priest in the Orthodox Church. The family experienced persecution in Syria because of their Christian faith and Wassim had several attempts on his life. They fled to Lebanon, where they are currently in asylum.

Life in Lebanon is not easy. Syrians are not welcome there and are persecuted. He is unable to find work. They were robbed of all their money and possessions. The children are not able to go to school. Church members provided them with housing, but they struggle to provide food for the family.

The refugee application for this family is in its earliest stages. Bow Valley Christian Church is sponsoring them in collaboration with other family members who are currently here in Calgary. We have committed to raising $15,000 to support this family on arrival. It is anticipated that there will be a 2 to 3-year wait until their arrival in Canada.

Pray for this family. For their safety. Provision of basic needs. That their faith would remain strong and grow stronger during this time of waiting.

Meet the newest family that BVCC is sponsoring. Mutahar Shah Akhgar, is a university educated man, married with 5 children. His wife is an elementary school teacher, and together they have 2 boys and 3 girls. He speaks perfect English, and spent much of his time working with the UN and other agencies trying to de-mine Afghanistan. The Taliban are quite displeased with this de-mining program, as they want these mines scattered throughout the country. He also writes poetry professionally. A few of his poems have been made into songs by local artists. Because of that, his life is in further danger, as the Taliban believe music is unacceptable in Islam.

Also, this family comes from a minority group in Afghanistan, called the Tajiks, and the Taliban are predominantly Pashtuns, as such, their ethnic group witnesses a lot of harassment, kidnapping, and discrimination. Those 3 factors have combined to make life in Afghanistan intolerable. This family fled Afghanistan and is currently in asylum in Pakistan. Pakistan is unwilling to grant them permanent protection and they are, therefore, at risk of being sent back to Afghanistan.

BVCC is sponsoring this family in collaboration with extended family members who are currently in Canada (since 2006).

Pray for this family. For safety and the provision of basic needs. Pray that God’s love would be evident to the family here in Calgary as we work to bring their extended family members to safety.

Get the latest news about these refugee families. Find updates on our fundraising and other initiatives.

You can contact the Refugee Committee by email at [email protected]