More than 100 people from the congregation of Calvary San Diego church in America have opened up their homes to Ukrainian refugees.

Evangelical pastor Phil Metzger had an eye-opening experience when he visited Ukraine after the war broke out.

He had been helping deliver medicine and evacuate families from danger; he was devastated by what he saw.

It prompted him to want his church to do even more to help those fleeing the conflict in need.

His church is situated roughly eight miles north of the US-Mexico border where a growing number of Ukrainians are crossing from Tijuana to seek refuge in the United States.

Metzger then saw this as an opportunity to turn the church's beliefs into action.

"Jesus said love your neighbour as yourself. Right now, these are our neighbours," Metzger says. "They're literally showing up in our backyard."

Since then over the past six weeks, Metzger says thousands of Ukrainians crossing the border have spent at least a night inside his church.

About 100 people connected to Calvary -- including members and their families -- opened up their homes to give the new arrivals a comfortable place to stay for a night or two. 

Many also volunteered to make airport runs, dropping off families who were continuing their journeys to meet up with relatives across the US.

"It's been life-changing," Metzger says, describing what happened when Ukrainians began sleeping in his church, attending services and ultimately, changing his church's perspective on the world.