The United Methodist Church in Kansas and Nebraska says 35 congregations are willing to sponsor at least one Syrian refugee family.

Bishop Scott J. Jones, leader of the church in the two states, announced Friday that the number of participating congregations could increase in the future.

Jones says the vast majority of Muslims in the world are our allies, and the church wants to stand with them against the jihadists.

The church’s Great Plains Conference includes 1,032 congregations in the two states.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive order Monday prohibiting state agencies and organizations receiving state money from relocating Syrian refugees in the state. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has urged resettlement agencies not to participate in any efforts to bring Syrian refugees to that state.