Embrace the Nations is a Christian, 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded in 2009 by Pamela Franks.  Her involvement with refugees has spanned over many years and she has assisted refugees from Afghanistan, Burundi, Bhutan, Burma, the Congo, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. She is highly respected in the international community. 

Pam began her work among the nations in Central America where she served in medical missions for five years. Both of her children were born during that time. Upon returning to the United States, Pam continued her nursing career in Omaha until founding Embrace the Nations. She also worked as the Missions Director of Good News Church for 25 years where she came to know and love internationals from almost 50 different countries. Not only that, but she had the great privilege of leading teams to many different countries around the world.

Pam’s heart for internationals naturally expanded to the marginalized refugees who were increasing in number and were not acculturating or thriving. The refugee community as a whole needed ongoing education and support in order to be successful, and perhaps most importantly; they needed friendship. 

Embrace the Nations desired to have close access to these newcomers and God provided. Managers of apartment complexes filled with refugees donated rooms which Embrace the Nations remodeled and turned into classrooms. This made it very easy for refugees to attend ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and after- school programs for the kids. On the weekends, we hosted community meetings at the apartments where we presented on various topics like healthcare, apartment maintenance, and winterization. These avenues provided many open doors for relationships—ones that remain to this day.

Simultaneously, as refugee communities grew, there was a significant need to educate the public. Over time, hundreds of people from students to professionals have been helped to understand and care for the refugee populations living in Omaha. Many healthcare systems, businesses, churches, educational institutions and service organizations have greatly benefitted from awareness training and hands-on experience.

Embrace the Nations has gone through a handful of directional shifts as the refugee communities have grown, transitioned, and changed. Nonetheless, the heart of the ministry has remained the same—to build relationship and see refugee communities transformed by the gospel so they may know and glorify Jesus. We do this through empowering families, discipling cross-culturally and mobilizing the church toward prayer and action.