Located in an area with an influx of new immigrants, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (PoP) saw a need and committed itself to serving as a newcomer ministry in northeast Philadelphia. PoP works with three area congregations (Pilgrim Baptist, Calvary, and Mayfair Lutheran) to provide ESL and ASL courses for primarily Bhutanese refugees new to the community. As part of its newcomer ministry, PoP also provides assistance with housing, jobs, and social opportunities, such as a dance party and cultural exchange opportunities.

As an outcome of PoP’s growing relationship with the Bhutanese refugee community, many Bhutanese refugees have begun attending PoP’s Sunday services. Given that many of the Bhutanese children are Hindu, PoP is requiring all Sunday School Teachers to attend a learning workshop on Hinduism to assure that teachers are better able to “meet the students where they’re at.” Another new component of PoP’s newcomer ministry is its “Welcome Home” program which provides transitional refugee housing and case management services to newly arrived families. The “Welcome Home” residence is located on PoP’s campus. In addition to its newcomer ministry, PoP also continues to engage in Heeding God’s Call, working to address illegal gun trafficking in Philadelphia.