Church of England experiences huge growth spike...in Finland

The Church of England's thrust to aid in the resettlement of refugees spikes a 20 percent church growth, not in England, but in Finland.

An article published in Eurobishop by Bishop David Hamid of the Church of England Diocese said that the Anglican numbers started small in comparison to other churches like the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. However, the striking percentage increase means the church is heading in the right direction.

The main concern of the parish, however, is that the growth is a result of refugees coming in from Sudan and South Sudan. These new arrivals are mostly Anglican. Together with the United Nations, the Finnish government continues to offer Sudanese and South Sudanese refuge against the upsurge of fighting in their country. International agencies reported that the crisis affecting countless civilians continues to rise.

The Church of England in Britain, on the other hand, is providing assistance to refugees as well. In its resettlement fact sheet, its goal of assisting 1,000 Syrian refugees has been met at the end of 2015. This comprised the first phase of their resettlement program. For the second phase, which was planned for April 2016 onwards, they intend to speed up the process and assist at least 5,000 a year.

A group called Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) said on their website that churches, church leaders and groups across Britain and Ireland have responded to the refugee crisis and are asking governments to lend a hand and take action. The group said that governments can ask for donations from church-going citizens and provide services and support if they can. This can also be done through partnering with aid organizations.

The group's site said, "There are many different Christian churches and denominations, but all have the same basic calling – to worship God, to share the good news about Jesus Christ and to work for the good of all people. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is the umbrella organization helping to bring these Christian churches together under Christian unity."