Our church name, “City of Refuge,” comes directly from the bible and communicates three major divine principles.

“That God is our Refuge, a very present help in the time of trouble” (Ps. 46:1); that the church ought to be a protective shelter for the wearied and broken while they take time to heal, and that the members are a collection of wounded soldiers themselves who seek to nurture others back to wholeness.

In the Old Testament, God made provision for the person who committed manslaughter; the unintentional killing of another individual. In five separate passages (Ex. 21:12-14; Num. 35:6-34; Deut. 4:41-43; 19:1-13; and Josh. 20:1-9) God gives thorough instruction for the establishment and use of “cities of refuge,” places designated as safe havens for the manslayer.

Needing protection from a vengeful relative, the manslayer could lawfully be sheltered from harm, but only if he fled immediately to one of the appointed cities. The “staff” of these cities consisted of dedicated and designated people (Levites) who spent their lives on the tedious and painful process of personal and social restoration. The ”roads” that led to these safe havens were clearly marked as the “lookouts” cheered and steered travelers into it. The “grace and justice” in these cities was administered by fair and impartial priests who judged the merits of each case, sensitive to the nuance and truth of each story. If the testimony was found to be factual and without malice, the offender was welcomed to make his or her home in the City of Refuge until the death of the High Priest. After the death of the High Priest, the offender was without penalty and could return to the free world and rendered untouchable to their enemies.

The fact that these cities were for the use of both Israel and the sojourner reminds us that salvation in Christ is available to all, regardless of origin of birth or social status. This critical concept culminates in the bible book of Hebrews 6:18-20, which emphatically states that Jesus Christ is our refuge! And because of His death, our Great High Priest, we are free to live and serve Him in this world without fear of defeat by our diabolical enemy.