A New Year Anchored in Christ

The start of the New Year often brings both a spirit of reflection and hope—a time to look back on the past year and all God has done, while also looking forward to the year ahead and eagerly anticipating all that He will do. We take time to make new goals, refresh checklists, and renew prayer requests, hoping this next year will bring the things we desire.

As I began reflecting on this past year, my time at Refugee Resources stood out as a clear highlight and a powerful affirmation from the Lord of what an obedient “yes” can do. It was this time last year that I got connected with Refugee Resources, answering a not-so-subtle call from the Lord to begin serving again. I had just participated in a short-term mission trip in Athens, Greece, where we partnered with a local ministry whose mission is to share the gospel through building relationships with refugee families. 

Millions of refugees pass through places like Greece every year, seeking to escape their circumstances and build a better life in America or Europe. During that time, God began stirring my heart to find a way to get involved locally here in Dallas, one of the largest resettlement cities for refugees in the United States. God quickly answered that prayer as I discovered the ministry of Refugee Resources through my church. While the ministry focuses on literacy and education, the true heart of everyone who serves is that students and their families would come to know the love of Jesus and place their trust in Him.

I was immediately paired with my student mentee, Hamza, who came to the States with his family from Afghanistan. I was nervous about leading a student in literacy and reading comprehension—something I had never done before—but I was quickly blown away by how well he could read, write, and understand not only our reading lessons, but the Bible as well. Each week we read a story from the Jesus Storybook Bible, and over the past year I have truly seen both his curiosity and understanding of who Jesus is grow. He remembers stories we’ve read in previous weeks, eagerly memorizes Scripture, and is beginning to understand that every Bible story points to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Just last week, as we were reading about Jesus being baptized by John, he asked with conviction, “If Jesus is God, then why did He have to get baptized?” That question opened the door for a deeper conversation about who Jesus is and what He came to earth to do. And the joy he has when he gets one of his memory verses correct is undeniable. Even when he is shy to articulate his thoughts or doesn’t know what to ask, I know the Lord is working in his heart. I am encouraged each week to keep showing up and faithfully pointing him to the Gospel.

Over this past year, I have witnessed how just an hour and a half each week can impact the lives of these students and their families. It gives them a place to experience community and fellowship, to step away from difficult home and school circumstances, and to be mentored one-on-one in a safe, uplifting environment. Most importantly, it gives them the opportunity to learn about Jesus. Many of these students have been attending weekly for years, and while transformation is rarely overnight, we see God faithfully planting seeds through small acts of obedience and consistency. We may not always see the fruit of our labor, but we trust that the Lord is at work—opening hearts and transforming lives in His perfect timing.

My prayer for these students and this ministry is that we would step into this new year with a refreshed spirit, leaning on Christ alone—the One who has the power to make us new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The “therefore” in this verse points back to verses 14–16, where Paul reminds us that believers no longer live for themselves, but “for Him who for their sake died and was raised.” Let us leave behind our old selves and walk into this new year embracing our true identity and purpose in Christ. No matter our circumstances, we are made new through Jesus every day.

I am deeply thankful to witness the transformative work of the Holy Spirit each week through this ministry.

Written by: Katie Conrad
Edited by: Emily Thompson