REFLECTION:  The Work of the Indooroopilly Uniting Church Refugee and Asylum Seeker Hub and the Call to Love

At the heart of Christian faith lies the teaching recorded in Matthew 22:37–39, where Jesus identifies the two greatest commandments: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbour as yourself.

These instructions are the framework for Christian public witness and communal action.

Since 2014, the Indooroopilly Uniting Church (IUC) Refugee and Asylum Seeker Hub has worked hard to provide a consistent and practical expression of this teaching by supporting people seeking asylum and refugees.

The work of the Hub is a theologically grounded response to human need—one that affirms the dignity of all people and recognises the divine image in each person, regardless of visa status or nationality.

The Hub operates weekly, providing emergency material support such as fresh food, fuel and supermarket vouchers. Volunteers also assist with complex paperwork related to protection visas, Medicare access, and other documentation.

Many of those who come to the Hub live with long-term uncertainty, face barriers to employment, and have been separated from their families for over a decade.

Carrying out this important work is a collaborative effort. On Thursdays, seven other agencies provide wraparound services and come to work out of the Hub, offering legal, health, housing and employment support. This integrated model reflects a theology of partnership and a commitment to holistic care—addressing not only immediate needs but the systemic challenges faced by people seeking refuge in Australia.

National Refugee Week was 15-21 June 2025, and was a timely opportunity to theologically reflect on this work. The theme of the week highlights the resilience and contributions of forcibly displaced people. It also invites churches and communities to examine their own role in building a more inclusive and just society.

The Refugee Hub models what it means to be a community of disciples shaped by Christ’s teachings. It is an embodiment of the intersection of the two great commandments. Loving God, as many volunteers would testify, finds practical expression in acts of service. Likewise, loving others—especially those made vulnerable by displacement—becomes a way of deepening one’s understanding of God.

While the work is often complex and demanding, it is grounded in hope. It reflects a belief that Christian faith is not limited to belief or worship but is most fully realised in relationship, action, and solidarity.

In a world where people on the margins are frequently overlooked, the IUC Refugee Hub serves as a sign of the kingdom of God—where strangers are welcomed, burdens are shared, and love is made visible.