Jesus Army: Magazine - Prophetic Word

NOT SINCE the seventies has anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK reached such a high pitch. With harsher government legislation, negative public attitudes and a largely hostile press, asylum seekers and refugees in Britain face a society that is more and more threatening.

In February 2003, six asylum seekers won a High Court challenge to the government's new asylum rules that do not provide state support for 'in-country claims'. In effect, this had made 35,000 asylum seekers a year destitute. The judge ruled that the legislation infringed human rights. Despite the set back, the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, is determined to continue his fight to see these regulations are legalised.

Moreover, in much of the media, 'asylum seekers' has become a term of prejudice and abuse. The words most commonly used for asylum seekers are 'scroungers', 'conmen', 'illegal' and 'bogus'. They are portrayed as a criminal threat who take over our jobs and drain millions of pounds from the National Health Service and state benefits.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance criticised both the UK media's 'xenophobic and intolerant coverage' of asylum issues and the goverment's 'increasingly restrictive asylum and immigration laws.'

Sadly, our society has been dangerously deceived by a series of myths and deliberate distortions. Fear and ignorance have turned the UK, for many centuries a haven for the oppressed and persecuted, into a largely unwelcoming land to asylum seekers.

Far from being a drain on the economy, migrants (which includes asylum seekers and refugees) actually contributed a net total of £2.5billion in taxes and contributions in 2000. A Home Office study states that 'The professional and managerial section of the UK would have been seriously depleted through migration over the last 25 years if there had been no immigration of non-British citizens.'

Many of the incoming asylum seekers have degrees or professional qualifications and a number of large employers, like the NHS rely heavily on foreign labour. Home Office research also shows that asylum seekers would far prefer to support themselves than be supported by the government.

There is really no such thing as an 'illegal asylum seeker'. By law, anyone has the right to apply for asylum in the UK and remain until a final decision has been made on the application. It is almost impossible for people fleeing religious or political persecution in other countries to reach Britain without resorting to false documents - this is understood by the authorities.

A report of ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) confirmed that there is no evidence for a higher rate of criminality among refugees and asylum seekers. In fact they are more likely to become victims of crime as witnessed in recent attacks on asylum seekers in Glasgow, Sunderland and Wrexham.

It is also clear that over 50 per cent are given permission to stay after the rigorous vetting procedure. The majority are fleeing from harsh and oppressive regimes or severe ethnic conflict where their lives are at risk. These are certainly not 'economic migrants'.

In all of this genuine Christians must not be taken in by the distortions and prejudice. Our call, biblically, is to welcome the stranger and sojourner, recognising that we are all aliens in this world. The need to show hospitality to those from other nations is a biblical mandate and an obligation for all who love and serve God.¹

The church has a responsibility to heal the wounds of the oppressed and let the captives go free. It must be a voice for the voiceless and show the courage to stand for the rights of those who are victims.²

But, more than this, we could be failing to realise a movement of God in the numbers of people coming to us from abroad. In the Jesus Fellowship a large number of Iranians have joined us in the last three years - many converts to Christianity since their arrival in this country. These are people open to the gospel and disillusioned with the radical but hypocritical Islamic rule that is oppressive and legalistic. In such a climate we must be ready to receive these ones, welcome them into the heart of the church and show a Jesus brotherhood that is often closer to their own culture than the staunchly individualistic western society. Sadly, such a self-seeking and individualistic western culture has infiltrated the church as well.

Could it be that God is bringing to this nation a new wave of disciples in response to many cries and prayers for the harvest? Could it be that we are now being tested to see how genuine we are in receiving those whom God is sending and how in tune we are with the Holy Spirit's workings in our day? Could it be that such poor, persecuted and outcast people can teach a comfortable church in decline a vital lesson in sacrifice and simplicity, reflecting more closely the heart of the one who "was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief"³ and who had "nowhere to lay His head"?⁴

Radical Christians must be ready to oppose essentially anti-Christian legislation and seek God's honour as they fight for the underdog and oppressed. This is a day of the harvest - but a different harvest than many had expected.

Hew Lewis is a Senior Leader of the Jesus Fellowship Church.

Sources: The Refugee Council, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Home Office, 'Connect' Magazine March 2003, The Refugee Education and Advisory Service

Biblical References: ¹ Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:18-20; Psalm 107:1-7 Isaiah 16:3, Matthew 25:35; Hebrews 13:2; ² Psalm 82:3; ³ Isaiah 53:3; ⁴ Matthew 8:20