This is David's story. He shares how found the love of Jesus at a church in London after fleeing his homeland in search of refuge.

David’s journey to safety began with a desperate flight from his homeland, where corruption and persecution left him no choice but to seek refuge in another country.

“I couldn’t live in my country anymore,” he recalled. “My life was at risk. The police, they couldn’t keep me safe.”

Selling his car to afford the ticket, he arrived in the UK, clinging to hope and belief that “the UK is a good place where people respect human rights.”

At the airport, David explained his plight to an immigration officer. He spent the night there, awaiting his first interview.

Life as someone seeking asylum in the UK was challenging. He was stuck in temporary housing waiting for his visa determination, unable to work. It was a wonderful day when he was granted refugee status, but the problems didn’t end then.

"When you are given permission to stay, you have a few days to leave your accommodation," he explained. This abrupt transition left him vulnerable and at risk of homelessness. Loneliness also weighed heavily on him.

“I missed my mum, my dad. I couldn’t be with my family.”

Finding his faith and a church family

During his time in London, he found solace in a local church that helped him rekindle his faith.

“David needed a friend when he walked into church. Somebody said, 'Hey, there is a person who speaks your same language. Please come because he doesn’t speak English well,'” Marlen, LCM Missionary, recalls.

“Some gave information, some encouragement, others prayed, and in moments of tears, we cried with him. We rejoiced when he got his refugee status. All these things made a huge difference.”

“From the first day, they included me like family,” says David.

“I started reading the Bible and joined a life group every Wednesday. They invited me for Christmas, picnics, and other events. They didn’t just help me spiritually — they cared for me practically, helping me to find housing.

“Without their help, I might have ended up on the street. They helped me find a place, save money, and improve my language and work skills. Now, I can afford my own home.

“I am thankful for them and God. Jesus is the best lawyer, the best doctor. He can fix everything. The way may be hard even when you believe, but he makes your path straight.”

It is LCM’s heart to share the love of Jesus with people who are vulnerable and marginalised in London – including those who have fled persecution and conflict to seek refuge. In 2025, we will embark on a new project to provide temporary accommodation to people who have recently been granted refugee status.

Churches will be a key part of that project.

“The church is key in the whole project,” explains Darius, LCM Missionary. “They will send the referral. They know the people that are about to become homeless in their churches. Together, we will support them—helping them find employment, training, and more than that, helping them grow in their faith and relationship with God.

“The church won’t just send a referral and say, ‘See you later.’ No, the church will come alongside the person, meeting with them, following up, discipling them,” he says. “We’ll be part of that too—doing Bible studies, devotionals, and sharing meals.”

This is not just a temporary accommodation project. It’s so much more than that.

“In two years, I want to see rooms filled, people growing in faith, knowing Jesus, loving Jesus more. And then, they’ll help others — going back to their communities to share the love of Jesus and support churches. That’s the dream. It’s not just temporary accommodation — it’s about transforming lives together.”

Will you help make that dream real?