When Patrick left Africa he sought safety and a new home in the U.S. He found it in Detroit, where The United Methodist Church is partnering with other agencies to welcome immigrants.
JOHN E. HARNISH
Michigan Conference Communications
Patrick was desperate to find a new life. He grew up in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where his father was a Congolese diplomat. But tragically, both his father and mother were killed in a raid on their home, and Patrick was arrested and put in jail. Through the help of his brother and a friend in the government, he managed to escape and received a visa to come to the USA. He arrived in Detroit with no English skills, no money, and nothing but his passport and visa.
Amazingly another French-speaking African happened to hear him speaking French, listened to his story, and took him to Freedom House Detroit, a temporary home for survivors of persecution from around the world seeking asylum in the US or Canada. Today he has a job, a home built by Habitat for Humanity in Eastpointe, MI, and hopes to bring his family to the USA.
Patrick represents a host of immigrants from the 20 French-speaking countries of Africa seeking asylum in the United States. Like Patrick, 68% of them are survivors of torture or violence in their native countries. Many, particularly Congolese, are finding their way to Detroit and Grand Rapids for resettlement. In response, a partnership has developed between the Greater Detroit District of United Methodist Church, Freedom House, and Habitat for Humanity to give them a chance to become fully participating members of their new communities as they try to find a new life in a new land.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Greater Detroit District Superintendent, has been working with Helen Hicks, the President of Macomb Habitat for Humanity and Eastpointe Economic Development Manager Kim Homan, to help refugees move toward independence. Charles said, “We asked Eastpointe to assist us with properties that needed a great deal of work, and with the resources of Habitat, we are helping asylum-seekers find safe and affordable places to live.” So far, the project has focused on eight properties, and they hope to see the program grow in the future.
Speaking of these kinds of partnerships between church and community, Audrey Mangum, Director of Justice and Mission Engagement for the Greater Detroit District, says, “I think ministries to the underserved in the 21st Century will necessarily be collaborative, compassionate and entrepreneurial.”
In addition to assistance with housing and employment, the Greater Detroit District has planted a French-speaking congregation at Embury United Methodist Church in Birmingham to welcome immigrants into the fellowship of Christ and provide a place for them to worship in the language of their country of origin. It follows the history of Methodism in Michigan, which in the past planted Swedish, Welsh, Korean, and Hispanic congregations to meet the needs of immigrants arriving in the state.
Today, Patrick is employed at Amazon and is claiming Michigan as his new home. Helen Hicks from Macomb Habitat for Humanity said, “N’golo will be forever grateful to the Detroit District of the United Methodist Church for working collaboratively with Eastpointe and Habitat to finally bring peace to his life.” (Macomb Daily, February 7, 2021)
When Jesus said, “I was a stranger, and you took me in,” he was offering a pattern for the church in the ministry of welcoming the immigrant, the alien, and the stranger into the community in the spirit of Christ. Michigan Methodists are attempting to do just that.
~ Note: The story of Patrick’s arrival in Detroit was originally reported in the Macomb Daily, February 7, 2021, by Gina Joseph.
Last Updated on October 31, 2023