The Boaz Trust, a Christian charity serving destitute asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester, was speaking after the European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, says the 28 member states in the EU need to live up to their promises and help refugees.
David Smith from the charity told Premier: "Up to 20,000 could mean anything - and I know the government is relying probably pretty much primarily on local authorities and churches to provide that accommodation."
Jean-Claude Juncker said told the EU "it's a question of credibility, of ... whether they can live up to their promises".
The leaders promised last month to step up spending and provide more experts to help fingerprint and screen the thousands of people arriving in Europe daily seeking refuge or jobs.
David Smith added that this task falling to the church is not is a bad thing and Christians can extend help to others: "I think it's a wonderful opportunity, you know we're told to go into all the world and preach the gospel, but the whole world's coming here - and we have the wonderful opportunity of sharing the love of God with them while they're here."
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speak to David Smith here:
