Posted on: 11th June 2026

Jesus constantly challenged his followers and his opponents to think about their characters and their actions. Often using stories, Jesus asked people whether they truly loved God, and loved God enough to follow God’s way and commands, including the commands to love others, even when it costs.

I have seen this love, a love that welcomes and cares for others. Here are two stories interwoven, one from north Leeds and one from Jesus.

In May 2026, a group of volunteers from Horsforth Town of Sanctuary helped lead the Sunday service at Guiseley Baptist Church. A church member, and local volunteer, Pete, first taught the congregation to say a few words in Arabic, including ‘Ahlan wa Sahlan’ (أهلاً وسهلاً), meaning welcome.

For the service, the songs and prayers were chosen for their words relating to welcome, hope, sanctuary, courage and the goodness of God. Mo shared afterwards that, “The atmosphere in the room, the kindness of the people, and the powerful message of the songs gave me the confidence to speak from my heart.”

Another Horsforth Town of Sanctuary volunteer read these verses from Matthew 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?”
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Pete then interviewed two other volunteers who are seeking sanctuary in the UK. Ali who is Sudanese and grew up in Saudi Arabia, and Mo who is Iraqi and has lived in the UK for the past 3 years.

Ali and Mo spoke openly and courageously. They shared that seeking asylum was their only option to live in safety and of the situations in their countries, of the struggles of living in fear for their families still in dangerous situations, and of the horrors from the journey to the UK. They talked about the uncertainty around their futures and of the isolation and deep lows they have experienced because of all this. They also shared about the new strength they’ve felt when they were welcomed in Leeds, invited to cook and share meals with local people and others who are seeking sanctuary, given opportunities to volunteer, and valued as individuals. And we finished with a reflective song by Eliza Gilkyson called Sanctuary.

Ali’s reflection after the service was, ​"All these kind words and prayers were so welcoming and deeply touching. I am truly grateful and happy to be part of this wonderful family." And Mo shared that, “After all the difficulties and uncertainty that come with the asylum journey, today I felt something that every human being hopes for: safety, kindness, hope and a sense of belonging.” Both Ali and Mo were also immensely grateful and happy when, after the church service, they were invited in by Pete’s family to share lunch and many more stories.

Knowing Pete and Mo and Ali, and all the other volunteers with Horsforth Town of Sanctuary, I have seen a love that gives to others as Jesus taught people to love and give. Volunteers with Horsforth Town of Sanctuary, both local people and those who are seeking sanctuary, work hard to love others in costly ways. People who are seeking asylum and in need of clothes are given clothes, new people are welcomed and strangers are invited into the community, and those who feel unwell and are struggling have someone to talk to.

Jesus says that whatever people do for the least of these brothers and sisters of his, they do for him. So when we show kindness and love to others, especially those in need and strangers, this is a way of loving God.

In what ways could you show love and kindness to others this week?

By Laura Schubert, refugee support worker for Horsforth Town of Sanctuary, as part of the Horsforth Chaplaincy Project (HCP) team.
HCP is a member project of Leeds Christian Community Trust.