World Refugee Sunday 2025
“I was in prison, and you came to visit me…”
– Matthew 25:36
World Refugee Sunday, 2025
World Refugee Sunday is an opportunity for Australian churches to join in with the Global Church in praying for refugees and internally displaced people. It will be celebrated on the 15th or 22nd of June – depending on your church’s preference.
This year, we invite you to think about Jesus’ call: “I was in prison, and you came to visit me,” focusing on those in immigration detention.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, prisons were not used to punish people for long. Instead, they were placed where people stayed while waiting for their trial or execution. Guards ensured they didn’t escape.
Therefore, when the Bible mentions prisons, it usually refers to a place where someone was held by the authorities until their trial.
Watch the official World Refugee Sunday 2025 Video here:
Around the world, thousands of men, women, and children are held in detention every day because of their immigration status.
This includes asylum seekers, refugees, victims of human trafficking, and others looking for safety and freedom.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 remind us to show kindness and to care for those who are detained.
Visit the official World Refugee Sunday website at iwas.live for more.
How did ‘World Refugee Sunday’ start?
World Refugee Sunday was launched more than 15 years ago by the Refugee Highway Partnership in cooperation with the World Evangelical Alliance to raise awareness and pray for refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide.
The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 55/76 on 4 December 2000. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In solidarity with the African Nations, the United Nations adopted African Refugee Day as World Refugee Day. The UN General Assembly decided that from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day.
Since June 20th has been declared World Refugee Day by the United Nations, the Sunday before or immediately after June 20th was chosen as Refugee Sunday.
Visit the official World Refugee Sunday website at iwas.live.