WHO IS ANABAPTIST REFUGEE COMMITTEE?
We are your neighbors and friends.
OUR HISTORY
ARC ministry (Anabaptist Refugee Committee) was born out of a burden for the Afghan people being housed on the Fort McCoy military base in Wisconsin.
A group of men from various Anabaptist Churches were able to spend some time at the fort and witnessed first-hand the need for a Christian presence among these hurting people.
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Through this interaction, ARC Ministry was formed and the first volunteers began arriving in November of 2021. Although we were strictly forbidden by the military to proselytize, our volunteers had many opportunities to share their testimony and to pray with these hurting people. Many had heart-wrenching stories; many were separated from their families; and many saw loved ones and friends being killed.
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We helped staff various centers at Fort McCoy: activity centers for the children, quiet centers and sewing centers for the ladies, and rec centers for the men and older boys. By the end of January 2022, the window of opportunity at Fort McCoy was closed due to the army moving the refugees out to resettlement areas, but God made us aware of tremendous needs of the Afghan refugees that were being moved to Minneapolis, MN.
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In February 2022 we rented a small house in Minneapolis. We opened a sewing center and began having English classes for the refugees there. We have been encouraged by the interest that is being shown, and the English classes are growing rapidly! Our goal is to be a light and testimony for Jesus through our interaction and the services we are providing.
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In May of 2023, we began a work at the Texas/Mexico border. There are a lot of migrants coming across, and our goal is to be there for them, give them snacks, drinks, Wifi, and just generally assist them in any way we can. Many of them have no idea how to move from there, and our goal is to show them compassion and love.
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With the Ukraine war, we began helping churches who would like to sponsor a family to find a family and navigate the legal requirements to make that happen. We currently are resettling Ukrainians, people from the southern border who have no place to go, and just started working with the Rohingya people in Bangladesh.
OUR VISION
ARC (Anabaptist Refugee Committee) is actively exploring new opportunities to express God’s love to hurting refugees entering our country.
ARC does this by raising awareness and connecting Anabaptist churches with these hurting people.
The goal of this connection is to provide Anabaptist churches with an opportunity to send willing men and women to assist and care for refugees in their daily lives. This involves teaching English classes, shopping trips, appointments, and other activities for assimilating to American Culture.
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The ultimate goal is to build lasting relationships with these individuals that open their hearts to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
THE ARC BOARD
CHAIRMAN
Leon Smith
SHILOH MENNONITE CHURCH
Sheldon, Wisconsin
SECRETARY
Anthony Martin
SHILOH MENNONITE CHURCH
Conrath, Wisconsin
TREASURER
Kevin Weaver
STRAWBERRY MENNONITE CHURCH
Strawberry, Arkansas
SENIOR GUIDE
Darrel Yoder
CORNERSTONE MENNONITE CHURCH
Eldersville, Pennsylvania
SENIOR GUIDE
Nelson Weaver
SPARTA MENNONITE FELLOWSHIP
Tomah, Wisconsin
SENIOR GUIDE
Addison Bender
Calvary Mennonite Church
Boyceville, Wisconsin
OUR MOTTO
EQUIPPING Anabaptists to ENGAGE with diverse cultures, creating ENDURING relationships to EXPRESS the love of Jesus.
EQUIP
It is natural to be timid and hesitant - God's word instructs us to act in faith. Our goal is to provide structure and inertia.
ENGAGE
We are inspired by the caring heart and compassionate hands of Jesus - Regardless of our neighbors nationality.
ENDURE
God created us with a compelling desire for loyal friends. By the grace of God we can build and nurture relationships that endure.
EXPRESS
The Holy Spirit actively ministers and summons the hearts of our friends and neighbors as we commit our labor to HIM.