El Roi: Caring for People Away from Home
In Hebrew, El Roi means “the God who sees.”
Scared and pregnant, Hagar—the slave woman of Sarai and mother of Abram’s son Ishmael—fled into the desert, desperate to hide and escape her painful circumstances. As she rested beside a desert spring, the angel of the Lord found her, encouraged her, and sent her home with a blessing.
In her most hopeless and lonely time, Hagar’s Creator saw her, loved her, and gave her mighty promises. Hagar came away touched by God, saying, “I have now seen the One who sees me,” in Hebrew, El Roi (Genesis 16:13).
Although Hagar felt rejected and alone, she had not disappeared from God.
Just as he saw Hagar, God sees each of the millions of people who are far from home and often overlooked today. Children, women, and men face numerous challenges in building new lives in unfamiliar places. In these difficult circumstances, followers of Jesus have a precious opportunity to extend hospitality, care, and support in the name of Christ. We are the hands, feet, and eyes of the same God who saw Hagar thousands of years ago.
Who is Away from Home?
The El Roi project aims to serve three primary groups of people who are away from home:
Refugees located outside the U.S. – In 2023, the UN estimated there were 43.4 million refugees around the world. Resettlement takes years, and refugee families often find themselves without work permits and struggling to afford necessities.
BIC workers in the Middle East and Europe reach out to refugee communities, developing relationships and providing practical support through food packs and assistance for medical care, rent, and utility bills. As ambassadors of Christ, workers are ministering to refugees in holistic ways, building relationships of trust and care, and engaging in spiritual conversations to share the good news of the Gospel.
Refugees within the U.S. – Of the 43.4 million global refugees, just over 60,000 resettled in the U.S. in the 2023 fiscal year, and the State Department aimed to welcome 125,000 the following year. Once in the U.S., refugee families need help settling into their new country. We extend the Lord’s hospitality by providing practical helps like English and math camps for refugee children.
International students in the U.S. – Just over one million international students enrolled in U.S. universities in the 2022/23 school year (Statistica). For students from countries where access to Christianity is limited, college years present an opportunity to meet followers of Jesus and experience the Gospel.
BIC workers in college towns create supportive communities for international students, opening doors to Kingdom conversations. After concluding their studies, most international students return to their home countries, creating a unique opportunity for far-reaching Gospel impact.
Compassionate Care and Eternal Hope
Motivated by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35, “I was a stranger, and you invited me in,” we are passionate about caring for the needs of people far from home. The parable’s continued message serves as a reminder that caring for those who are otherwise unseen is an act of service to the God who sees: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40).
By giving to the El Roi project, you extend compassionate care and eternal hope to individuals around the world who have left their countries and are seeking a safe home and a community of belonging.
