Caring for Christian Refugee Children
2023 Christmas Programs Changed Radically
The planning was completed to once again have large gatherings of Christian children for Christmas in Iraq, Jordan and the West Bank. However, Then came the Hamas terror attack from Gaza on Israel killing over 1,200, wounding more, and taking hostages.
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Christmas for Refugees Tragedy
Our 2022 Christmas for Refugees events faced some last minute obstacles in two countries causing events to be rescheduled. Riots in Jordan and a fatal pesticide accident in Bethlehem required us to take action. Learn more in this article
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Christmas for Refugees Programs Begin in Middle East
Most of the Christmas for Refugees events in Lebanon and Syria were reinstated. One of the Christmas programs for Syrian refugee children was held in Akkar which is in the far north of Lebanon. About one out of every three people now living in Akkar are Syrian refugees.
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WE DID IT– Christmas programs will continue
I recently reported that the Christmas program was far behind in fundraising. The Lord answered our prayers!
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Planning Begins – Christmas 2022
Planning begins for our 2022 Christmas for Refugees events! Inflation is creating a funding obstacle for all of the events planned this year. Donations made through December 1st will all be doubled!
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Events in Syria – Highlights
4,550 children were reached by out Christmas for Refugees events in Syria this year. This report takes a look at some of those events, including testimonials from some of the children!
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Christmas in Nigeria
Children at an orphanage in Nigeria enjoyed their annual Christmas for Refugees event this year. This is the first time the event was held at their new location after their old home was attacked by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen in August.
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Christmas Events Begin – Lebanon
In Lebanon the Christmas programs will reach over 4,000 children, of which 2,435 are Christian refugees from Syria. Other children are from Iraq, and there are also some Lebanese children affected by the large explosion in Beirut and the collapse of the Lebanese currency.
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Matching Fund Underway!
Every donation towards our 2021 Christmas for Refugees events will be doubled! Help us provide Christ-centered Christmas events for thousands of Christian refugees.
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A Look Into Our Events in Lebanon
At one event in Lebanon, children were greeted by costumed characters. Then they heard a story as they watched a woman make candy canes. The children were told how the different colors of the candy can represented different aspects of the Gospel story. The children were then given their gifts.
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Christmas for Refugees despite COVID-19
There were no large Christmas for Refugees events this year with hundreds of children celebrating the birth of our Lord except in Syria and Nigeria. The events may have been toned down, but they were still about Jesus. Instead of games and song, children received special gifts.
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Christmas for Refugees Events Begin
Because of COVID-19, more Christmas events held this year in Lebanon for children than in the rest of the Middle East because the events will be smaller. In most instances children will walk through one at a time indoors, but because of local rules, some will be held outdoors.
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New Guidelines for Christmas Events in 2020
With all the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic this Christmas season, it was apparent that changes had to be made to our traditional Christmas programs. Here are the new guidelines for the 2020 Christmas for Refugees program.
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Christmas 2020 Update
Our Christmas events normally range between 100 and 700 kids in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, and Bethlehem. But this year the Covid-19 situation will force me to arrange for smaller and therefore many more events. This will bring up the cost… can we do it?
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Christmas Program Starts Up During Uncertainty
Our ministry partners in the Middle East have begun preparations for Christmas programs regardless of the uncertainty. Areas that were locked down during the early Covid-19 outbreak and then reopened are once again in lockdown. Will those areas be open in December?
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There Will Be Christmas in 2020
The Christmas for Refugees program has become a tradition in several nations, showing the love of Christians here in America for the Christian children who have suffered so much under Islamic oppression. We must plan as if every event will be held in every country we serve, regardless of the situations that may exist now.
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Christmas in Jordan
Several Christmas events were held in Jordan in 2019. The situations the children live in as refugees are just as bad as the worst inner-city slums we have in Detroit or Baltimore. At the same time, there is a flagrant display of wealth in opulent malls, restaurants and social gathering places. This kind of opulence is nowhere to be seen in the Christian villages.
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Christmas for Refugees program in the Holy Land
Two Christmas for Refugees events were held in the Holy Land this year. Please pray for the Christians of the West bank, particularly the children. As far as Israel is concerned, they are Palestinians and not welcome in Israel. They are unwanted by the Muslims that control the West Bank and unwanted by Israel. They are literally refugees in the land where their families lived long before the time Jesus was born there.
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Christmas for Refugees Program at Nigeria Orphanage
The Christmas program in 2019 was the third we have held at the orphanage in Nigeria. At all times we must be reminded that most of the children have lost both parents to Islamic groups such as the Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen. Just as was done for Christmas in 2017 all the children received shoes again in 2019. The day long Christmas celebration included puppet shows and each age group performed in a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
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Iraq Christmas events a blessing
In Iraq our ministry partner is working on ways to better reach out to families that participate, and to provide them spiritual support. The same is true of our Diapers for Refugees program. We want to do more than just provide a service; we want to help families get connected to a local church and develop a lasting relationship with the Lord.
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Christmas for Refugees 2019 held amidst strikes and demonstrations
Although nationwide demonstrations shut down streets in Lebanon, every event was still able to be held. The Christmas events were a blessing to the children who attended and a blessing for Nancy and me to participate in.
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Christmas for Refugees in Iraq 2019: WATCH
William J. Murray reports from Qaraqosh, Iraq… an area that was destroyed by the Islamic State because of the Christian presence in the town. Watch this video to see how our Christmas for Refugees events help encourage Christians in areas like this!
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Christmas for Refugees in Lebanon 2019: WATCH
Bill and Nancy Murray report from Lebanon to share an update for the 2019 Christmas programs that are underway!
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Christmas for Refugees Events Begin Soon!
More than 2,000 Christian children forced from their homes in Iraq and Syria by groups such as the Islamic State will have a real Christmas, one far better than their refugee parents are able to furnish for them.
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Preparations for 2019 Christmas Programs
But before we get to those final days in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, the Christmas for Refugees program must be fully funded a full month before Thanksgiving. By the end of October, only $33,682 of the $97,225 matching challenge had been met.
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More Than a Christmas Party
Last year for the first time, the Christmas programs were extended to the few areas of the “West Bank” that are still Christian. In 1948 when the State of Israel came into existence, the “West Bank” was 86% Christian. Now it is 2% Christian. The Christian community is no longer self-sustaining and as a result is a persecuted minority.
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Christmas in Nigeria
Christmas for Refugees began holding events at an orphanage in Nigeria in 2017. Christians are persecuted in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. Find out why our Christmas for Refugees events are so important!
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Holy Land Christmas
“I have seen the Christian civilization of the “West Bank” collapse and be replaced by those who hate Christians and work to steal what is left of their land. No matter what, we must continue the Christmas program in the “West Bank” which includes Bethlehem.”
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First Year in Syria
Most of the children were either orphans or internally displaced children who had undergone all kinds of trauma. It had been quite some time since these children had access to such a nice, warm and healthy meal. One thing that really stood out from the first event was the very evident joy on the faces of all ages, regardless of the tragedies they had endured.
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Christmas for Refugees in Jordan
A number of Christmas for Refugees events were held in Jordan this year. At one of the Christmas parties, every single one of the children present was from Iraq. In Qaraqosh the party lasted almost four hours, with different types of entertainment and of course all pointing to the real reason for Christmas, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Christmas in the West Bank
The Christian population in Bethlehem is no longer self-sustaining. It is with that understanding that Christmas for Refugees agreed to hold a Christmas party for 800 Christian children still living in the Bethlehem and Beit Sahour area, to bring some joy to the shrinking Christian population. Read more about our journey to the Holy Land.
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Christmas for Refugees in Iraq
The first Christmas for Refugees Christmas party was held on December 14 in Qaraqosh and had 546 children in attendance. In all, more than 1,500 children attended the three events held this year in Iraq. Every event was centered on Jesus, from coloring contests to puppet shows.
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WATCH: Children sing Praises in Marka, Jordan
Children dance and sing praises about how “God is the creator of everything” in Marka, Jordan.
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WATCH: Children in Nigeria sing “Happy Birthday Jesus” song
Watch as children from an orphanage in Nigeria sing a “Happy Birthday Jesus” song!
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WATCH: What is Christmas for Refugees?
Program director William Murray discusses what Christmas for Refugees looks like in 2018.
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Christmas Events Begin in Middle East
In all, the Christmas program for 2018 will serve nearly 10,000 children. There were four Christmas events for children the first week of December. Of those four, two were held by brand new churches founded by Syrian refugees.
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YES! We Will Have a Christmas Program in Syria This Year
Christmas for Refugees in four different locations: Planning is in the final stages for Christmas for Refugees programs in Syria. In all this year, about 1,000 children will have a full Christmas program with a hot meal and gifts. The children are not officially refugees but are what is referred to as “displaced persons.” A “displaced…
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$100,000 Already Transferred for Christmas Programs
Funds sent in October & November: More than $100,000 was wired to our ministry partners in the Middle East in October. The funds will be used to make deposits for such things as bus rentals and catering costs for the Christmas for Refugees events. Gifts for the children and parents must be purchased well…
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Matching gift program for Christmas established!
New matching gift program for Christmas for Refugees! by William J. Murray, program director Seventy-six supporters of the Religious Freedom Coalition came forward to pledge $77,031 to a matching gift challenge for Christmas for Refugees. That means that gifts sent specifically to the Christmas for Refugees program — up to $77,031 — will be doubled!…
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Support Growing But Still Short
Christmas for Refugees Support growing but still short: When I last wrote to you about the Christmas budget, we had less than $1,000 on hand. Because of the generous gifts of supporters since then, the Christmas for Refugees program has raised $105,000 of the $380,000 budget for Christmas 2018. That was a wonderful response, but…
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Christmas for Refugees in Syria!
Dramatic move for Christmas for Refugees program: I cannot go into detail as to how we are going to help Christian children in Syria celebrate the Lord’s birth this year. The important thing is that at least 1,000 displaced Syrian Christians will have a real Christmas this year if we can raise the…
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Christmas Program Could Be In Trouble
2018 could be a difficult year for Christmas for Refugees: In mid-July, less than $1,000 had been received for the Christmas for Refugees program for 2018. The Christmas program was way behind financially when I mailed the first appeal for funds in July. The focus has been on doubling the Diapers for Refugees program this year,…
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Nigeria, Christmas For Refugees Update
Our Easter event at the orphanage had to be cut short to move children out of the camp for safety. My heart was touched by how much the children truly appreciated the Christmas program we organized in December. They proudly wore the shoes we gave them for Christmas, although one younger boy apparently had…
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Christmas for Refugees 2017 Special Iraq Report
In December of 2017 5,046 families had returned to the liberated Christian village of Qaraqosh, Iraq. There was no poser, no running water, but thanks to Christmas for Refugees the birth of Jesus was celebrated by the children.
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Christmas for Refugees 2017 in Nigeria, Lebanon and Jordan
Christmas events for Christian refugee children now in four countries! Nigeria: The first Christmas for Refugees event to be held in Nigeria was at an orphanage in the heart of the conflict zone. The orphanage is in the town of Miango in Plateau State just about 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Jos which has seen church…
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Christmas for Refugees programs held in four nations!
By William J. Murray (Amman Jordan – 12/19/17) Christmas for Refugees events celebrating the birth of Jesus have begun for 2017. Celebrations have already taken place in Nigeria, Lebanon and Iraq. Displaced Christian children have come together to have fun, games, songs and gifts along with programs that center on the true meaning of Christmas….
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Christmas for Refugees holds first program in Nigeria
Orphanage in conflict zone holds Christmas program The first Christmas for Refugees event in Nigeria was held at an orphanage in the heart of the conflict zone. The orphanage is located in the town of Miango, Plateau State just about 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Jos which has seen church bombings and the massacre of…
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Iraqi Christian children will have a Christmas celebration – one way or another
The Religious Freedom Coalition is moving forward with plans for our Christmas for Refugees program in Iraq. In some cases, the only question that remains is where the children will be. One of the new towns in which we intended to hold a Christmas program was Telskuf. It now appears that the children who…
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Our Christmas plans for Iraq going ahead despite obstacles
Iraqi Christian children will have a Christmas celebration – one way or another: The Religious Freedom Coalition is moving forward with plans for our Christmas for Refugees program in Iraq. In some cases, the only question that remains is where the children will be. One of the new towns in which we intended to hold…
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Major problems for our Iraqi missions programs
The Kurds held an “independence vote” to create an independent state. The reaction of the Iraqi government was to shut down airline operations into the Kurdish region including the Erbil airport. The closure causes great problems for our aid programs in Iraq.
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Christmas for Refugees Program Varies to Meet Local Needs
The core of the Christmas for Refugees program is the same in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, but the local needs in each of those nations are different, as are the customs. In Lebanon, the Christmas events for the children are held in locations all over the country, as the Christian families are scattered. Because Lebanon…
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What Christians are Finding In the Nineveh Plain
Christians who are now returning to their homes in areas of the Nineveh Plains liberated from the Islamic State’s control are finding chaos and destruction. Sister Diana Momeka, a nun with the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena, ministers to those who have been displaced by ISIS: “(When) we went to see what happened…
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ISIS Launches Anti-Jordan Campaign
Last week, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the December 18 attack in Karak, Jordan, which killed ten people and injured 34 others. Following the attacks, pro-ISIS social media users, especially on the Telegram, posted pictures and messages celebrating the attack and the harm and hurt that it came from it. Many of these posts…
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Christmas for Refugees in Iraq 2016
The Religious Freedom Coalition’s Christmas for Refugees program is now in its 2nd year in Iraq and has grown from 600 children to more than 2,000 children participating. New photos and video of events in Iraq are now available.
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Christmas for Refugees Featured on Fox News
Religious Freedom Coalition’s Christmas for Refugees program was featured on Fox News. Fox News correspondent Lauren Green interviewed William Murray and showed footage of one of the Christmas celebrations in a church in an undisclosed location in the region, where refugee children sang songs and visited with Santa Claus. Christmas for Refugees began in 2013…
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Photos of Christmas for Refugees 2016 Events
Photos from some of the 2016 Christmas for Refugee parties in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq held for displaced Christian children have been posted. The size of the events varied from 75 to as many as 525 children and were surprising orderly. Communictions from the Middle East has made real time posting difficult.
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First report from Lebanon for Christmas 2016
The first Christmas for Refugee events began on the December 12th in Lebanon and will begin in Jordan on December 19th in Jordan and December 20th in Iraq. The character of the Christmas parties for the children vary not only from nation to nation, but from region to region.
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Another large Christmas event held in Iraq
More that 600 children attend Christmas for Refugee events in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq. The Gospel is clearly defined at the same time children are entertained and fed. Sadly only 300 of over 2,000 children in one displaced persons center were able to attend because of a lack of space.
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More Christmas events held in Jordan and Lebanon
American team monitors Christmas events in Jordan: The Christmas for Refugees program has greatly expanded in 2015 with events in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. So far the American Christmas for Refugees team has monitored and participated in events in Lebanon and Jordan. The events in Iraq take place just a few days before Christmas.
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Our team monitors Christmas events for refugee children in Lebanon
The American team monitoring the Christmas for Refugee program visited Lebanon first and observed two of the events for children. The Gospel, games and food were central to the each event along with gifts for the kids. A $60 food voucher also was given to each child’s family
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First 2015 Christmas for Refugee dinner held in Lebanon
The smiles of the faces of the children say it all: The first Christmas for Refugees event of 2015 was a hit! The first event was held in church in Mount Lebanon Governorate north of Beirut. Each of the Christmas events will be attended by 50 to 150 refugee children. A total of 60 children participated in the first.
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Christmas for Christian Refugees program begins soon!
The first Christmas event in Lebanon is scheduled for December 13th. The dinner events for the children in Lebanon are scattered all over the country because the refugees are scattered. There are no United Nations refugee camps in Lebanon despite the fact that over 1.2 million Syrians alone are refugees there
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Christmas program for refugee children has room to expand!
The Christmas program for the children is about the hope we all find in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the aid provided to the families is both material and spiritual. Families without Bibles receive one, and children receive workbooks based on Bible themes
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Christmas for Refugees Participates in Values Voter Summit 2015
On September 24th-26th, 2015, the Religious Freedom Coalition participated in the Values Voter Summit (VVS) in Washington, DC. The Values Voter Summit hosted numerous presidential candidates, such as Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum, Ben Carson, and many other nationally well-known social conservative leaders. Attended by thousands of social conservatives, this event allowed the Religious…
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First Dinner Programs Held in Iraq
During a September, 2015 mission trip two events with meals and faith building programs were held for refugee children in Iraq. The performance of the local ministry we contracted to conduct the program proved beyond a doubt that they had the ability to move hundreds of people to an event, have a program for them, and return them safely to their homes.
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Christmas Program Expands to Iraq
Most Christians remaining in Iraq are displaced: In about a month program director William J. Murray will be travelling to Jordan and Iraq to oversee the relief efforts including expansion of the Christmas for Refugee program. A test run of dinner events will be held in the Erbil area to prepare for the Christmas programs later this year
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Full Report on the Success of Christmas for Refugees 2014
William J. Murray’s final report on his December mission trip in Lebanon and Jordan to oversee the Christmas for Refugees events for children. The program was a tremendous success and ministries look forward to expansion in 2015
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Christmas for Refugee Program Well Accepted in Lebanon and Jordan
Unlike many humanitarian feeding programs, Christmas for Refugees presented the Christmas story and the “reason for the season,” the coming of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At each Christmas meal event the birth of Christ was explained in detail in puppet shows and through each event coordinator and pastor. Children even received a special colorful comic book describing the true meaning of Christmas
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More Christmas Events Held for Syrian Refugees
William J. Murray reports from Lebanon on the continued success of the Christmas dinner program for Christian refugee He arrived in Lebanon on the 13th of December as the program was underway and has watched the joy of the children as they were able celebrate Christmas so far from their homes. The children sang, play games and had a Christmas meal and their families received voucher for food of their choice at a market.
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First Christmas Event Held for Refugee Kids in Lebanon
On December 6th the first Christmas dinner for one hundred Christian refugee children was held in Beirut, Lebanon. The next two dinners will be held in Lebanon on in mid-month. The remaining nine planned banquets will be held Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
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Christmas for Refugees Goals Being Met
A great big thank you to all of the supporters of the Religious Freedom Coalition who have helped with the Christmas for Refugees program! Funds are still needed for the project in Jordan, but sufficient funds for the 1,000 Christmas meals initially planned for Christian children in Lebanon have been received and placed in a dedicated account.
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Thinking of Christian Refugee Children on Thanksgiving and Christmas
The Christmas for Refugee program was begun to bring spiritual help as well as food and medicine to Christian refugees children and their families. Many of the children have had fathers or older brothers who have been martyred, murdered in cold blood by al-Nusra and Islamic State (ISIL) fighters. In some cases they have been forced to watch their fathers being beheaded or in some cases crucified. The once lived in middle class homes and this Christmas will face starvation.
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