Past Events

Our three organizations - City in Focus, Business As Mission, and Citygate - are partnering with each other for the good of Vancouver. In a city that struggles with isolation, we seek to model collaboration.

We invite you to become a partner with us in fostering a more just, welcoming and sustainable city. To that end, we want to jointly invite you to this upcoming event.

DATE: Saturday, 11th February

TIME: 9:30am - 12:30pm

PLACE: St. Andrew’s Hall, UBC - & online via Zoom

TICKETS: Starting at $25

SPEAKERS: Albert Chu, Loren Balisky, Dena Nicolai, Wilfred Thariki, Brad Kinnie, Kelley Radar

From its earliest days, the Church has provided care and safety for people seeking refuge. This year, over 70,000 asylum seekers will arrive in Canada asking for refugee protection. Your church could be a vital lifeline of welcome with and for refugee claimants. 

In Vancouver we are privileged to have a number of organizations that have been faithfully supporting asylum seekers for many years. These organizations have learned a considerable amount about healthy engagement with people seeking refuge and have developed a host of best practices.

At this hybrid gathering, engage and learn from people with lived refugee claimant experience, welcoming churches, and frontline communities. In-person and online registration available.

Build your church’s knowledge and capacity to bear witness to the love of God among one of the world’s most vulnerable displaced groups.

There is a limited number of in-person registrations available. Register early to secure your spot among these 75 spaces.

SCHEDULE:

• 9:30am - Welcome

• 9:40am - Why welcoming refugee claimants matters

• 10:00am - Understanding the world of refugees

• 10:20am - Learning from 4 different agencies

• 11:00am - Learning from people who have gone through the refugee process

• 11:20am - Break

• 11:30am - How can churches engage?

• 12:05pm - Break out groups

• 12:30pm - Lunch