What motivates these emigrants and their children, after years in Germany, to move to a place where their families suffered decades of humiliation, persecution and oppression? Where does the sudden enthusiasm for Russia come from?

The Refugee Highway Partnership Europe gathering is happening in Málaga (10-14 March). “We are invited to stand against that tide and follow Jesus in the powerful way of humility”, say the organisers.

Ahead of Sunday’s elections, the Protestant, Catholic and other churches ask to “vote for parties that stand up for our democracy”. Alice Weidel’s AfD party rises in the polls amid tough immigration debates.

The list is long of prophets and spiritual leaders who dared to speak the truth to rulers who crossed God-ordained thresholds – often at great cost. 

Ahead of February's elections in Germany, Frank Heinrich of the Evangelical Alliance explains to Evangelical Focus why a Christian vision introduces nuance into the overall tension and uncertainty.

An NGO serving migrants says most came from Pakistan and were trying to reach Spain after 13 days of journey. The islands are going through a major crisis after receiving over 43,000 migrants in one year.

The 23 February election could turn frustration into a historic rise of the far right. A journalist points to the importance of “acknowledge other opinions and not immediately condemn them”.

In the last 15 days of August alone, 3,220 arrived in the Canary Islands from Africa risking their lives in small boats. Noemi Mena, an expert on migration, believes there are no solutions without solidarity between regions and long-term planning.

In the first half of 2024, the arrivals of migrants to Spain tripled those of the entire year before. The director of a large evangelical NGO calls for a new Immigration Law and encourages citizens to “reflect critically” on what is said in the media.

About 6% of Christians leave their country of birth, according to Pew Research. The United States, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom are the countries to which most Christians emigrate.

Some will likely stick with him as a “known quantity” but his push to further regulate churches and legalize euthanasia have shocked and alienated many Christians. 

Discretion and integrity are essential, but they shouldn’t go so far as to become scepticism and distrust. The roles of church leaders and immigration officials need clear differentiation.

Alesio Sema in Albania and Giacomo Ciccone in Italy address the issue of migration from an evangelical perspective.

A ‘sharp right turn’ is coming up fast as we approach elections across Europe this year, at both national and European levels. Migrant-scapegoating and nationalism is on the rise in our continent. 

For some time now, the political right in Germany has been using the term ‘remigration’ to seek a ethnic cleansing in the country. These views cannot be justified from a gospel perspective.

The victory of the Freedom Party shocks the European scenario. While traditional Christian parties suffer losses, “it is no secret that some believers love Wilders”, says journalist Evert Van Vlastuin.

A gathering in Olso brought together 61 Christian leaders from a migrant background. “Many migrants are more bold with their faith and their testimonies. This is a great resource for the churches”.

Several Christian voices in the United Kingdom criticise the Illegal Migration draft law presented by the government. They ask to “talk frankly and listen carefully” instead of “fanning anti-immigration flames”.

The uncertain times for European society call for a rapid shift in our collective perception from its reactionary mode.

In Europe, we have become used to the arrival of asylum seekers and refugees, most notably when some 2 million people fleeing the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan. Yet the Ukraine migration crisis has been different.

Giorgia Meloni says she will try to restore the country’s pride. She opposes gender ideology, liberal abortion laws, and has a hard stance on immigration.

The story is based on the director's childhood memories of his Christian Korean-American family in Arkansas during the 1980s. “I hope it offers some kind of hope after everything that’s happened this year”, says Lee Isaac Chung.

It is the worst incident of its kind anywhere in the world so far in 2020. Evangelicals in Fuerteventura work hard offering food and shelter as migrant crisis worsens. 

More than a week after the fire, “there is a lot of tiredness and protests”, a Christian aid worker on the island says. If it is permanent, it will have to be improved a lot. The EU announces a new Pact on Migration.

Far-right party Vox more than doubles its support and becomes third party in the Spanish parliament. Catalan and Basque pro-independence groups also celebrate gains.