A briefing for ministers called to give evidence in support of asylum applications.
This briefing was originally published in May 2017 but has been updated in May 2018 in order to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information
Many people seek asylum in the UK on the grounds that they fear persecution as Christians or as converts to Christianity in their country of origin. Some may have entered the UK as Christians or have experienced a conversion to Christianity after they have arrived. Some of these worship in our local churches and participate in the life of the congregation.
As a result, ministers and members of our congregations are confronted, possibly for the first time, with the complexities of the asylum process. Some ministers are called to testify at hearings as to the genuineness of an applicant’s Christian faith.
This briefing offers some general guidance. Although the scenario refers to a URC congregation, this guidance is intended to be used by all denominations – please adapt it to your individual circumstance.
Asylum Applications and Christian Belief
