Pittsburgh Theological Seminary joins with others across the country—including Pittsburgh’s mayor Bill Peduto—in welcoming refugees to the United States. In gratitude to God for the abundance we enjoy, we wish to share what we can with people in need; therefore, through a local agency, we are offering some of our unoccupied accommodations as temporary housing for refugees and sojourners coming through Pittsburgh. In late November, Pittsburgh Seminary provided housing for an Afghani family who has since moved into their own apartment.

President David Esterline said: “This is a teaching/learning opportunity not only for students preparing for ministry but also for all of us in the Seminary community as we reflect on Matthew 25: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’”

The Seminary is working with local refugee resettlement agency, Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach (AJAPO), to house refugees on its campus. After being heavily vetted overseas by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, in addition to interviews and biometric screenings, refugees can be accepted into the US resettlement program. Agencies across the country, like AJAPO, coordinate all services including but not limited to: case management, food assistance, adult English language classes, school enrollment, employment, medical, transportation, and cultural orientation.

This offer to provide temporary housing to refugee families is rooted in our Christian values. “It’s only a small part in God’s work, but it’s also an illustration of our vision to reflect the love and acceptance we have experienced in Jesus Christ by ‘seeking to be a generous and hospitable community,’” said Esterline.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary joins with others across the country—including Pittsburgh’s mayor Bill Peduto—in welcoming refugees to the United States. In gratitude to God for the abundance we enjoy, we wish to share what we can with people in need; therefore, through a local agency, we are offering some of our unoccupied accommodations as temporary housing for refugees and sojourners coming through Pittsburgh. In late November, Pittsburgh Seminary provided housing for an Afghani family who has since moved into their own apartment.

President David Esterline said: “This is a teaching/learning opportunity not only for students preparing for ministry but also for all of us in the Seminary community as we reflect on Matthew 25: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me.’”

The Seminary is working with local refugee resettlement agency, Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach (AJAPO), to house refugees on its campus. After being heavily vetted overseas by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, in addition to interviews and biometric screenings, refugees can be accepted into the US resettlement program. Agencies across the country, like AJAPO, coordinate all services including but not limited to: case management, food assistance, adult English language classes, school enrollment, employment, medical, transportation, and cultural orientation.

This offer to provide temporary housing to refugee families is rooted in our Christian values. “It’s only a small part in God’s work, but it’s also an illustration of our vision to reflect the love and acceptance we have experienced in Jesus Christ by ‘seeking to be a generous and hospitable community,’” said Esterline.