More than 500 evangelical pastors and ministry leaders representing every state in the US have signed a letter published in yesterday's Washington Post expressing grave concern over Donald Trump's refugee policy. The letter comes as Trump's executive order banning refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries makes its way through the courts. It was coordinated by World Relief, one of nine agencies nationally authorised by the US State Department to resettle refugees. "We live in a dangerous world and affirm the crucial role of government in protecting us from harm and in setting the terms on refugee admissions. However, compassion and security can coexist, as they have for decades," says the letter, addressed to Trump and the Vice President Mike Pence. "While we are eager to welcome persecuted Christians, we also welcome vulnerable Muslims and people of other faiths or no faith at all. This executive order dramatically reduces the overall number of refugees allowed this year, robbing families of hope and a future." Advertisement The letter notes how thousands of local American congregations have welcomed newly arrived refugees of all faiths through the Refugee Resettlement Program and how these churches and other ministries still have the desire to welcome many more. "As Christians, we have a historic call expressed over two thousand years, to serve the suffering. We cannot abandon this call now," it states. Signatories include the authors Tim and Kathy Keller, senior pastor Bill Hybels and author Lynne Hybels, Northland Church senior pastor Joel Hunter, National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson, New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel Akin, and Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry. "It is not new for the church to use its voice on behalf of those who have none. It is part of our historic call and identity. And for nearly four decades World Relief has helped thousands of churches and tens of thousands of volunteers express that call by welcoming refugees. This letter is evidence that the church will not abandon its calling to serve the most vulnerable," said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. Ed Stetzer of Wheaton College added: "Christians have always spoken up for the vulnerable. I hope the Trump administration hears our concerns that we have a safe and compassionate refugee policy—and our confidence that we can continue to do both." Lynne Hybels said: "For some people, embracing refugees is a political issue. For me, as a Christian, speaking up for and caring for refugees is more an act of worship and obedience to a God whose Kingdom is global and whose 'mercies are new every morning.' On a personal level, my life has been profoundly enriched by the courageously resilient refugees I've known in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in Illinois and Michigan. I hope many more American Christians will be able to enjoy the rewards of such mutually transformational relationships."

 The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby labeled the decision 'regrettable'.


The Archbishop of Canterbury has attacked the government's backtrack on its commitment to help thousands of lone refugee children in Europe.

The Most Rev Justin Welby joined other senior Church of England bishops in strongly criticizing the move after just 350 children were welcomed to the UK, rather than the 3,000 expected.

In a forthright statement on Thursday, the leader of the CofE warned against the "worrying trends we are seeing around the world" and spoke out against "seeing the movement of desperate people as more of a threat to identity and security than an opportunity to do our duty".

He said: "We cannot withdraw from our long and proud history of helping the most vulnerable."

The Home Office's low key announcement on Wednesday said the scheme to resettle unaccompanied child refugees under Lord Dubs' amendment to the 2016 immigration bill would stop at the end of March.

Immigration minister Robert Goodwill said 200 children had arrived so far and another 150 would follow before the end of March. But he said no further places were available with local authorities.

In an unusual direct intervention Welby said he was "saddened and shocked" by the statement.

"Our country has a great history of welcoming those in need, particularly the most vulnerable, such as unaccompanied children," he said.

Announcing the end of the Dubs' programmed Goodwill insisted the government had never committed to a figure and said it would always be dependent on the number of local authority places available.

But Welby joined the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Jonathan Clark and others in saying the backtrack "does not meet the spirit of the commitment" given last year.

"To end the scheme now, when such a small proportion have actually entered the country, is regrettable," Welby said. "Local authorities, who are bearing the costs of the resettlement, must be given the resources and time needed to meet our original commitment."

Welby called on the government to reconsider and work with church groups to offer refugees sanctuary.