Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern told Premier that: "The Church is a very powerful agent in bringing people into the same space for a conversation - but hopefully the conversation will be followed up by people meeting each other, sharing their aspirations, sharing possibilities and then working together to show what might be possible."
He decided to host this event in Derby Cathedral on Friday, after images of struggling families trying to cross into Europe were shown across the world: "Since the graphic pictures a few months ago of the intense suffering of people on the run as migrants and refugees, understandably people have been very moved and very concerned and there's a desire to make a response."
Rt Revd Dr Alastair stressed that Christians should be proud of the UK government's involvement: "The government is investing more than any other country in trying to help people on the ground and in the refugee camps," he said.
"There's proper groundswell of support in the UK about whether we could receive more people into our own society."
Speakers at the event include Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Pauline Latham OBE MP, Margaret Beckett MP, local council representatives and the Red Cross
The event aims to inform people about the national picture, what is happening in Derby and how the public can offer practical support.
Ahead of the event, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern said: "Churches and all people of goodwill support the outpouring of compassion and concern for so many of our brothers and sisters, who are being forced into desperate migration by violence, conflict and poverty.
"Many human hearts instinctively desire to seek that vital first step - reaching out in support and solidarity especially in view of graphic images recently on our screens.
"But, as our Prime Minister and others try to make clear, this first step can only have effective value for those in such terrible need if it is followed by a second step - more tangible signs of security and hope to take people out of the immediate crisis into a better place.
"The complexities of offering this second step are enormous- politically, socially and spiritually."
He stressed that practical challenges will be discussed, such as infrastructure, organisation contributions and funding.
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speaking to Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern here:
