A young Kurdish couple escaped the terror of life in Aleppo, Syria, and set out with their young children in search of a new place to call home — a place where they could rest and not live in fear. They lived in a refugee camp in Turkey while applying for relocation. They went about daily life in the refugee camp — even giving birth to a son — while they waited. Finally, they were accepted as refugees. They were hopeful, yet scared. They knew no one and they didn’t speak English, but, with their few suitcases of belongings, they resettled in the U.S.

This isn’t a made-up family that I wrote into existence to gain your pity. They are real people, and they were resettled in Kansas City, Mo., less than four weeks ago.

Another thing I can’t make up? The first people they met in their new town were Jesus-followers. These Jesus-followers (friends of mine) helped this young family settle in, gave them an Arabic New Testament, and began to show them a love they had never seen before — the love of Jesus.

My wife and I met this family a few weeks ago through our involvement with RefugeKC. RefugeKC exists to welcome refugees as new neighbors with ministries of mercy. Volunteers with RefugeKC do everything from visit newly settled families at home with welcome packages of food to help out with at soccer leagues for children of refugees. RefugeKC is based out of a coffee house strategically located in the heart of the refugee resettlement area.

How pivotal are ministries like this one to human beings made in God’s image? We live in a country with more than 300,000 Protestant churches. If you picked a building at random, you have a better chance of walking into a church than you do of walking into a Starbucks! And yet, few refugees ever hear the good news of Jesus. For many, their best option to hear about Jesus will come through a conversation with their next-door neighbor. Could that neighbor be you?

Our world is shifting rapidly, becoming more globalized than ever before. Is this an accident, or something that the Lord over all nations is doing for His glory? I believe the latter. God shows in His Word that He is willing to disperse His people in order to make His glory known.

Let me be clear. This is not about the American church failing to go overseas to reach the nations. It is about God bringing the mission field to the whole world, and we just happen to live in a place where the people of the world are coming.

We have a responsibility to welcome these new neighbors and show them the love of Christ amidst their chaotic life. You may not feel called to go to the nations overseas, but you are called to go to the nations next door. Won’t you share His good news with people who have never had a chance to hear it?

Unreached people groups are flooding our cities. They once lived where there was no access to the gospel, but now they live in a place where there is — through you. You may not have to go overseas — but you do have to go down the street.

John makes disciples in Kansas City, and soon hopes to move with his family to Asia.

Interested in volunteering at RefugeKC? Learn more.

The people in this story are real, but their names have been changed to protect their privacy.