Reviewed by: Brecken Mumford of Novi, Michigan, a professional writing student at Taylor University in Upland, Indian a.

Introduction

Title: Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis

Author: Stephan Bauman, Matthew Sorens, and Issam Smeir

Publisher: Moody Publishing

Publication Date: 2016

Format: paperback book

Length: 224 pages

OVERVIEW

              Seeking Refuge is an analysis and challenge regarding the ongoing, ever growing current global refugee crisis. The authors are directly involved with the non-profit efforts of World Relief, an organization dedicated to the caring for and empowering of vulnerable peoples. With a call to action to the Church in the West, the book outlines the needs of the millions of refugees trying to find sanction in the US and other prosperous nations around the world. It offers plans, options, and directions for how the United States, particularly, as a privileged western nation with many Christians, can step forward to meet the needs of these abandoned exiles.

The three authors share their own personal stories, as well as the stories of those they’ve encountered through their journey in attempting to cope with the rising number of refugees. They use numerous Scripture references and examples in Christ’s life to call Christians in the West to a higher, healthier, and more Christ-like response to those facing the trauma, danger, and hurt of fleeing their homes.

Filled with graphs, charts, and other illustrations, Seeking Refuge provides substantial research and documentation for the arguments made throughout the book for why the burden of caring for the needy is crucial to more affluent people. The authors take great care in acknowledging the work of other organizations—faith based and non-faith based— that are answering the call to love others and care for the vulnerable. Seeking Refuge also explains small ways individuals and local churches can get involved, specifically with World Relief, in order to cast fear and selfishness aside and step up to the call Christ has on Christian’s lives to love and care for the sick, the orphaned, the widowed, and those who are starving.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

The authors of Seeking Refuge openly state that their intended audience is within the Church—specifically those in the West (United States/ Canada). The book is geared toward those who are asking questions about the large, global refugee crisis being faced today, and it provides tangible ways to get involved through World Relief.

Christian Impact

I approached this book with hesitation— I was worried it would promote a “white savior complex” or potentially try to white-wash the gospel. However, this book does not do that. While it is most definitely geared toward evangelicals in the West, Seeking Refuge continually points to Jesus and to Scriptures to admonish the considerable lack of action in this crisis on the part of the Church in the US. Although the book focuses on ways to get involved on the local level solely with World Relief, it also provides tangible suggestions for how Christians can step up to the call the Lord has put on their lives. I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by this book.

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