When conversations about migration become increasingly polarised, how should Christians respond?
That was one of the questions explored by best-selling author, broadcaster and founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, Krish Kandiah, as he joined Bishop Mary for the latest episode of Common Ground.
Drawing on decades of experience working with refugees, foster families and churches across the UK, Krish argued that Christians are called to offer a different story – one rooted not in political ideology but in the life and teaching of Jesus.
Listen to the full episode: Searching for Sanctuary with Krish Kandiah
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A different story
Reflecting on the public debate around refugees and migration, Krish acknowledged that many Christians feel caught between competing political narratives. Instead, he encouraged listeners to return to the Gospels. Reflecting on his own recent reading of the Beatitudes, Krish said;
"Jesus is all about character and virtue and posture and reliance on God. How can I make sure that I'm aligned with what Jesus approves of?"
Throughout the conversation, both he and Bishop Mary returned to the importance of allowing scripture – rather than political opinion – to shape the Church's response.
Not captive to political tribes
Drawing on his work with the Sanctuary Foundation, Krish reflected on the response to the war in Ukraine, when thousands of households across the UK offered to host refugees. He contrasted that generosity with the increasingly hostile tone that often surrounds conversations about migration today.
"We are absolutely committed to the local," he said. "But we are also part of the global body of Christ."
For Krish, those two commitments belong together: "We can be very local, but also committed to the global."
Krish warned against allowing Christianity to become identified too closely with any political position.
"The church, if it feels like it's captive to one political ideology, has actually betrayed the gospel. We're going to call everybody to repentance and hope."
Bishop Mary agreed that Christians have a responsibility to engage thoughtfully with difficult conversations rather than retreating into opposing camps.
Knowing the Bible well
One of Krish's strongest challenges was for Christians to become more deeply rooted in scripture.
"I do think one of our challenges as Christians is that we have an inadequate biblical literacy. If we actually knew our scriptures, it will make it so hard for people to commandeer our faith."
He spoke of his concern that Christian language and symbols are increasingly being used to support exclusion rather than welcome.
Bishop Mary shared that concern.
"The cross is an ultimate symbol of reconciliation, and yet... it's being used as a symbol of exclusion. And it's such an utter distortion of what the cross actually stands for."
Together, they reflected on stories throughout scripture, from the Samaritan woman at the well to Jesus' own experience as a refugee, arguing that the Bible consistently challenges believers to see the stranger differently.
Stories that change hearts
The conversation concluded by exploring the power of storytelling.
Krish described introducing schoolchildren to the experiences of a young Sudanese refugee living in a camp in Kenya, believing that real stories help people see beyond headlines and statistics.
"Politics is the art of competitive storytelling," he said. "We have God's story to tell."
Bishop Mary reflected that Jesus himself chose stories to transform lives.
"We have the ultimate story. Jesus has already changed the world, but we need to continue to tell the story."
For both speakers, that is one of the Church's greatest opportunities: not simply to win arguments, but to tell a better story—one shaped by compassion, hospitality and the gospel.
Listen to the full conversation in episode five of Common Ground: