Ministries Missions

Ways You Can Help Right Now

The nature of the refugee crisis means that specific needs will always be changing. This page is dedicated to providing you information on the best ways to help out with refugees in our community right now.

Over the past couple of weeks 35+ new Syrian refugees (10 families) have arrived in Red Deer! Many will be starting to move into their own places in the coming days and weeks.

Praise God, for this awesome opportunity for Canada and for our community specifically to show the love of Christ!  This means it is a great time for you to respond to those in need. Here are a few practical and needed ways:

CONNECT with refugees. Families or small groups that can invest in a single refugee family, please contact the missions office, which will try to help assist you in making these connections. Commitment of 2-4 hrs/week.

MATERIAL ITEMS needed such as bedding (sheets, pillows, pillow cases), microwaves, car seats (baby), TVs, vacuums, kitchen things (pots, pans, dish sets), etc. Things to set up a new home. If you have items to donate, you can bring anything that is not furniture (or large items needing more than one person to lift) to the basement at CanWest Travel: 5018 Ross Street, 403.877.4737.  Or contact Michael from Red Deer Loves People who will try to pick up the items for you: 403.392.7116, atthepit@gmail.com. Please don’t bring them to the church.

There are URGENT NEEDS for:

  • pots and pans.
  • window covers for a basement suite.
  • 2 infant car seats, 6 'next stage' car seats for two-year-olds, and 7 boosters for children under 6 years. Generally, the infant car seats need to be newly bought, and sometimes they can be in the 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 style that follow the growth of the child.

SORT clothing donations (commitment level ranges from 2 hour/ month to 2 hours/week).  Contact 403.877.4737.

DRIVERS willing to help take people to grocery store, church, and possibly doctor's appointments.

OFFER or FIND affordable housing for families in need.

TEACH English or help a refugee practice English as a conversation partner.

JOB leads and/or TRAINING and VOLUNTEER opportunities are needed.

FOOD Gift Card donations

More than anything these newcomers in our community need prayer and face to face relationship with you! So please pray for their reception and ultimate integration into our community, pray that God would grab their hearts and bring them to Him! 

This is a great way to be the face of Jesus to these newcomers. 

I suggest you sign up at WelcomingRD@gmail.com to get on a list and be updated as needs arise. Consult the info on our webpage for more details.

Thank you,

Tracy Minke - Pastor of Outreach Missions
TracyM@CrossRoadsChurch.Ca