Mary Kaech’s first experience with refugees was spending time with the “Lost Boys” from South Sudan. From there began a growing respect, deep friendships, and a passion for seeing these new neighbors not just survive, but thrive.

That passion led to mobilizing with others to build a community where our refugee neighbors could belong. She got involved with the young organization, Phoenix Refugee Connections (PRC), with people from several different churches and a shared vision to see even more churches embrace our forcibly displaced neighbors, personally living out God’s many commands to welcome the stranger and love our neighbors as ourselves.

In addition to helping refugee friends become thriving, self-sufficient American citizens, they educate individuals and churches on how they can help walk alongside people forced to flee their home countries due to human violence and persecution.  The organization also encourages families to seek other ways to help, such as through an unaccompanied minor foster care program, with the opportunity to open their homes to these children. Mary herself has a grown daughter from the DR Congo and a son from Afghanistan. She invites others to live out Matthew 25:35, by feeding the hungry, offering drink to the thirsty, and inviting the stranger into your community.

Click here to learn more about Phoenix Refugee Connections: https://www.phxrc.org/about

Original air date: October 30, 2025.