A community collaboration of those passionate about refugees in Mission attracted a crowd of 150 people Wednesday night at the Clarke Theatre cafetorium.

Focus for the night was refugee readiness and the forum was professionally facilitated by David Gouthro of The Consulting Edge for organizer Mission Community Services Society (MCSS).

“The forum created a deeper and common understanding of what is involved in welcoming refugees into the community,” said emcee and organizer Rick Rake.

“This is a first in a series of community meetings to help Mission be a welcoming community to refugees, the next one to be in a World-Café style,” said Rake.

Featured speakers for the night were Jennifer Mpungu from Mennonite Central Committee, Saba Alam from MCSS, and Pastor Dan Rempel from Cedar Valley Mennonite Church.

His church is responsible for spearheading the process among a number of Mission faith groups to sponsor a 14-member Congolese family expected to arrive in the community next month.

The role Mission will play in accepting Syrian refugees is still to be decided, said Rake.

Wednesday’s event was opened by Mission Mayor Randy Hawes who said he was particularly pleased with the community’s willingness to get involved.

Album of photos is available HERE: