Resources for Outreach Among Afghan Refugees
As you seek to reach out to Afghan refugees, having some knowledge of these people’s beliefs, practices and needs can help you minister more effectively. The collection of resources below is designed to provide practical tools and greater understanding that equip you to serve among the least-reached people God is bringing to your community.
Christar Resources
Christar has published a number of guides that may be valuable to you as you endeavor to meaningfully pray for and serve Afghan refugees. In addition to the pieces listed below, explore the resources section of this website to learn more about Muslims and refugees.
- Connection Points: Tips for ministering to least-reached Afghans who are arriving in the U.S.
- Welcoming Afghan Refugees: Christar workers serving among Afghans answer questions and provide insights for effective ministry.
- Refugee Booklet: Learn what God's Word says about refugees and be equipped to share the hope of Christ.
- Islam Booklet: Get an introduction to Islamic beliefs and practices, as well as practical tips for sharing Jesus with your Muslim neighbors.
Afghan-Language Resources
As you build relationships with Afghans in your community, it can be helpful to know where to find solid biblical resources published in their heart languages. Most Afghans coming to the United States speak Dari (a Persian dialect) or Pashto (which encompasses several dialects, including Nangarhari and Kandahari), the two official languages of Afghanistan. In addition, a minority speak Hazaragi, which is similar to Dari.
Multimedia resources:
- “The Prophets’ Story,” viewable on YouTube, provides an overview of the Bible’s prophets from Adam to Jesus in less than 10 minutes, tracing the thread of sacrifice. It is available in several Afghan languages and would be easy to share with Afghan friends in a text message.
- The “Stories of Hope, Proverbs, and Good News (Gospel)” Facebook page and the "Proverbs and Stories of Hope" Facebook page and interactive Messenger outreach provide Pashto Bible stories in text, video and audio formats.
- The classic JESUS Film is available in the following Afghan languages and dialects:
- The shorter Magdalena Film, produced by the Jesus Film Project, focuses on Jesus’ interaction with women and is also available in several languages:
Online Bibles and Bible study apps:
- afghanbibles.org (online and hard copy Bibles in Dari, Pashto and Afghan minority languages)
- pashtobibles.org (Pashto translations only)
- Afghan Apps (Bible apps in Afghan Pashto, Pakistani Pashto and Dari, as well as a Dari Bible Study app, all available for multiple platforms)
- Hazaragi Bible App
Dictionary and Language-Learning Websites and Apps
- Google Translate and Google Translate app (may be helpful in communicating with those who speak Dari or Pashto but little English; however, it may also be potentially misleading.)
- Interlit Foundation (resources for learning Dari, Afghan Patho and Pakistani Pashto, as well as children’s stories, poetry and proverbs, culture and history information, and adult literacy materials)
- Pashto Language
- Qamosona.com (collection of online Pashto dictionaries, also available as an app)
- Maihan Nijat Pashto Dictionary app
- Dari Language
Other Media Resources
- Hope4Afghans contains a collection of articles available in English, Dari and Pashto that seek to provide hope and encouragement from a biblical perspective.
- Pamir Ministries, a media-ministry focused on reaching Afghans everywhere, offers media in both Dari and Pashto.
- The Afghan Media Centre offers Bibles and other Christian books for sale in Dari and Pashto, as well as other resources.
- Pashto Radio provides 24/7 Christian audio broadcasts in Pashto; Afghan Radio offers the same in Dari.
- Pashto TV provides Christian video and television programs in Pashto; Afghan TV does the same in Dari.
Resources for Sharing the Good News Through Teaching English
- The Bible Based ESL site provides a lengthy list of Bible-based ESL books and curriculum.
- “Sharing God’s Story of Hope as You Teach ESL,” on the Cultivate blog, looks at how to use a particular curriculum.
- “Need ESL Bible Lessons? Look No Further Than These 5 Tools ,” on the FluentU blog, offers tips and resources for making Bible stories accessible to non-native English speakers.
Apologetics Resources in English
- Answering Islam (a Christian-Muslim dialogue website providing articles about many topics of interest to Muslims)
- Resources from Nabeel Qureshi, who was raised in a Muslim family in the U.S.:
- Seeking Allah Finding Jesus book
- Seeking Allah Finding Jesus video study (the first session is also available on YouTube)
- Jesus in Islam vs. Jesus in Christianity address shared at Biola University
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