Welcome to the IAFR Toolbox! These tools will help you learn about refugee realities, gain some biblical perspective and learn important principles related to refugee ministry. Please take and use what is helpful. We only ask that you not edit or change any of these resources without permission.
When forced to flee their homes, refugees need to find a way to a safe place. There are some well-worn routes in the world that they travel. These paths are the Refugee Highway.
The Highway is paved with tears of loneliness, fear and discouragement. Whatever part of the Highway they travel, refugees are met with the same message: Do Not Enter.
Yet there is hope. God is alive and well on the Refugee Highway.
Watch this powerful 6 minute video to learn more. We hope you will share it with others via social media! You can also download it.
Version: 6/2023 (updated annually in late June/early July.
IAFR designed this informative poster to raise awareness about the realities of the Refugee Highway and of our mandate to love the alien as we love ourselves.
Perfect for churches, class rooms, dorm rooms and the office.
How to Get Your Map
Click the map image to download a copy that is perfect for projection and embedding into publications that do not require high resolution printing.
Click here to download a PDF version of the map (2.6 MB) suitable for normal printing needs.
If you need a higher resolution version to print a full size poster, please contact us and we will make it available to you. The Map of the Highway prints at up to 36" x 27".
The Map companion resources include a discussion guide, credits and source Information. Click below to download your 2023 copy now!
Version: 6/2023
You can influence how people think about refugees and asylum seekers. These tools will help. Just save the ones you like and post them to your social media. Just click on an image to enlarge it. Save it. Then share it with your networks! All photos by T.Albinson/IAFR. Statistics from UNHCR Global Trends 2022 (published in 6/2023).
NEW! Answers to common questions about refugees in the world today. How many forcibly displaced people are in the world? What countries host the most refugees? How many refugees are children? And more!
Version: 6/19/2023
Learn the difference between normal migrants and forcibly displaced people along with the meaning of often misunderstood terms including: "refugee", "asylum seeker", "internally displaced persons (IDP)".
An important document related to faith-based ministry engagement among forcibly displaced people published by UNHCR in partnership with World Evangelical Alliance and others.
Drafted in 1948 in response to WW2, the Declaration serves as a guarantor of basic rights for all people. Article 14 states, "Everyone has the right to seek and enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution."
From beginning to end, Scripture is filled with stories of forcibly displaced people. This document lists some of them along with key references to facilitate learning and discussion.
Originally drafted in 2001 at the gathering that formed the Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP), these Best Practices proven their worth in helping Christians serve refugees in life-giving ways.
This brief and insightful document is the fruit of a diverse and international group of Christian leaders as they considered what helpful Christian Witness looks like in the world today.
Drafted in 1951 in response to WW2 and ratified by 142 nations, the Convention defines "refugee", the rights of the displaced, and the legal obligations of signature States to protect them.
Articles and papers written by IAFR staff related to forced displacement
The number of people forcibly displaced by hatred and violence has grew by 19 million people between January 2022 and January 2023. The numbers are overwhelming. Jesus' prayer "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." is an expression of lament, longing, and hope in our broken world. -by Tom Albinson
A biblical call to action by IAFR Founder/President, Tom Albinson. Tom gets very practical as he highlights how the Bible is filled with perspective and examples of life-giving refugee ministry. Find out how Reuel, Boaz, Nehemiah, king Artaxerxes, and Jonathan all serve as helpful examples from which we can learn important lessons. -by Tom Albinson
David ran for his life in response to persecution by King Saul. Jonathan, the King's son and David's friend, responded to David's displacement in a way that inspired what has become IAFR's Jonathan House ministry. We hope that you will read and be inspired by this compelling paper by SJ Holsteen (IAFR Ministry Leader, Minneapolis - St. Paul.
It takes research, time, talent and resources to create these tools and keep them sharp. If you've found them helpful, please consider making a donation to the IAFR Sustaining Fund today.
IAFR is a member of the ICVA Network.
IAFR | 1400 Van Buren St. NE, Suite 200-244| Minneapolis, MN 55413 | info@iafr.org | 612.200.0321
Copyright © 2023 International Association for Refugees. All rights reserved.