Faith Groups Stand in the Gap for Mideast Refugees

The massive wave of illegal migrants entering Europe is creating a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of families continue to flee from war and religious persecution in the Middle East.

Now Christian relief agencies are on the ground, doing what they can to help the refugees.

Samaritan's Purse  is working with churches to distribute 2,000 backpacks in Macedonia. The packs are filled with hygiene items, blankets, towels, diapers, granola bars, and candy.

CBN News spoke with the ministry's Dr. Natalie McDermott, who said the outreach shows the refugees the love of Jesus Christ.

"Our goal with Sam's Purse is to be the hands and feet of Jesus; it's to meet people where they're at and bring them love in a practical way by meeting their needs," she explained. "So sharing love with them and sharing the Gospel with them when the opportunity arises."

"I think for them it's a reflection of who Jesus is when they see us meeting their needs and just loving them where they're at, regardless of who they are or where they're coming from, just loving them in the place where they are right now," she said.

CBN's Operation Blessing is also on the ground in Europe, providing refugees in Hungary with food and plastic tarps to help them stay warm.

It's a critical need as the cold and rainy winter season can cause widespread disease throughout the camps.