1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also.
We can be sensitive to opportunities to serve. Who knows that impact that each of us can have on those who are destitute, confused, and without hope. We can bring that glimmer of hope into their lives and show them the way of truth so that they may even dramatically change their current circumstances. People can be introduced to the love and power of God so that they can be equipped to be able to develop life skills and personal responsibility, so that they can contribute to our society and to help others.
In Deuteronomy 10, we find that the Lord teaches us about possessing charitable hearts:
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.
19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Issues concerning our nation's security and our laws are certainly at play on our southern border, as U.S. government officials are attempting to faithfully serve the increased number of people and families who are attempting to enter this country. Even though most lawmakers seem to agree our nation's immigration system is broken in some way, very few are stepping up to fix it.
And, the dynamics of the crisis at hand are certainly being disputed. There is misinformation that abounds that seems to fit an agenda. After hearing a certain U.S. House member from New York decry the conditions at one particular facility, Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference visited the same place. The Stream reports that he told Fox News:
Another EIT member has received criticism because of his embracing of inaccurate reporting about the situation. Faithwire reports that:
No doubt the mix is potentially explosive at the U.S. Southern border: an increased influx of people wishing to come to this country, some illegally and some not, with a limited number of facilities and border agents - it is certainly placing immense pressure on the immigration system, which has its flaws.
I had reported earlier on a $50,000 donation made to Prestonwood by none other than the President's daughter, Ivanka, in the midst of reports that children and parents had been separated. The Dallas News decided to find out how that money was being spent. Part of the money was used for provisions for children at the Youth for Tomorrow center in Virginia, which was "founded by former Washington Redskins coach and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs," described by the newspaper as "a nonprofit that provides schooling and housing to at-risk boys and girls, according to its website."
Mike Buster, Executive Pastor at the church, stated: "It’s part of our DNA as a church, and we consider it a calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those in need. We will continue to assist immigrants — whether they’re along the border or in our community.” He said the church was involved "alongside existing organizations who are spread along the border, from the Gulf of Mexico to New Mexico, several of which have official access to immigrant shelters for unaccompanied minors."
Youth for Tomorrow has been lauded for its care for immigrant children. The Bristow Beat in Bristow, VA ,where the organization is headquartered, reported last August that CEO Gary Jones...
We see a lot of virtue signaling going on about our immigration problem. There has been criticism of the Administration, which has brought the broken immigration system to light and attempted to work with Congress for a solution. It is not helpful for congressional leaders or church leaders to use hyperbole to describe the situation just because it fits a certain agenda.
The role of the Christian, I believe, can be to point out deficiencies in situations, but to also to put forth solutions. Open letters, press conferences, and public statements can certainly call attention to what needs to be remedied, but there need to be practical steps taken to solve the problem - and I don't believe that means lobbying for a liberalization of immigration laws.
In the meantime, on the road to a solution, the Church can be involved in intermediary steps in attempting to address the very real crises that people are facing. We can, in our own communities, as well as beyond, look for people to serve.
Finally, in the immigration issue, there should be a renewed emphasis on providing orderly and just immigration policies. It is important to put aside political agendas and pursue commonsense solutions: pursue border security, enforcement of existing laws, and exercise what has been termed, "wise welcome." Noted author Rebecca Hagelin, writing for The Washington Times, states:
+++++
In Deuteronomy 10, we find that the Lord teaches us about possessing charitable hearts:
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
18 He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.
19 Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Issues concerning our nation's security and our laws are certainly at play on our southern border, as U.S. government officials are attempting to faithfully serve the increased number of people and families who are attempting to enter this country. Even though most lawmakers seem to agree our nation's immigration system is broken in some way, very few are stepping up to fix it.
And, the dynamics of the crisis at hand are certainly being disputed. There is misinformation that abounds that seems to fit an agenda. After hearing a certain U.S. House member from New York decry the conditions at one particular facility, Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference visited the same place. The Stream reports that he told Fox News:
“I was not restricted at all, as to what I could ask or where I could go,” the pastor told Bream. “Here’s what I discovered: I found kids created in the image of God and I found border control agents created in the image of God working together in a very difficult environment.” He added that he didn’t find soiled diapers, crying children or deplorable conditions. “Quite the opposite. I found amazing people on both sides trying to make a very difficult circumstance better. I don’t know where everyone else is visiting.Now, even though the organization headed by Samuel Rodriguez is a member of the Evangelical Immigration Table, which has ties to the National Immigration Forum, associated with George Soros, which recently released yet another open letter decrying the current immigration situation, I have found his willingness to work with the current Administration refreshing and his approach to immigration practical.
Another EIT member has received criticism because of his embracing of inaccurate reporting about the situation. Faithwire reports that:
The situation along the U.S.-Mexico border is not good, with some Christian leaders describing it as “unconscionable” and “heartbreaking.” There are some, though, who are none too pleased with the reporting about the crisis.
Sharing an article from the Associated Press, Dr. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said the conditions for migrant children at the border “should shock all of our consciences.”In addition to criticism from Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., according to the article, "Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, tweeted it was 'extremely disappointing' to see Moore sharing 'a very inaccurate report.' He invited Moore to visit the border with him."
So, Faithwire writer Tre Goins-Phillips decided to see what the church was doing at the border. He reached out to Graham, who referred him to Gilbert Corredera, who serves as Hispanic pastor for the church. Corredera, according to Faithwire, "has visited several border towns and detention facilities, said when migrants are released, they are often met by churches that take them in, feed them, give them shelter and clean clothes to wear until they are bused to be reunited with their family members." The church is located in Dallas, and has developed partnerships with a number of churches in border areas.
The article continues:
But more than provide for their physical needs, the pastor said, it’s important to “share the love of the Lord” with the migrants.It says, "There’s no doubt the situation for these children is bleak...but the best way to help them, Corredera explained, is by forging strong relationships with Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials."
No doubt the mix is potentially explosive at the U.S. Southern border: an increased influx of people wishing to come to this country, some illegally and some not, with a limited number of facilities and border agents - it is certainly placing immense pressure on the immigration system, which has its flaws.
I had reported earlier on a $50,000 donation made to Prestonwood by none other than the President's daughter, Ivanka, in the midst of reports that children and parents had been separated. The Dallas News decided to find out how that money was being spent. Part of the money was used for provisions for children at the Youth for Tomorrow center in Virginia, which was "founded by former Washington Redskins coach and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs," described by the newspaper as "a nonprofit that provides schooling and housing to at-risk boys and girls, according to its website."
Mike Buster, Executive Pastor at the church, stated: "It’s part of our DNA as a church, and we consider it a calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those in need. We will continue to assist immigrants — whether they’re along the border or in our community.” He said the church was involved "alongside existing organizations who are spread along the border, from the Gulf of Mexico to New Mexico, several of which have official access to immigrant shelters for unaccompanied minors."
Youth for Tomorrow has been lauded for its care for immigrant children. The Bristow Beat in Bristow, VA ,where the organization is headquartered, reported last August that CEO Gary Jones...
...told Bristow Beat that YFT wants to be as transparent as possible with the community. “We have nothing to hide,” said Jones, saying the Department of Heath and Human Services asked them to keep most information confidential. They were also tasked with protecting the identities of the children who might be sought by gangs or sex traffickers.
When they did provide transparency, Jones believes the conditions children experienced at YFT helped to change the national conversation. Many saw children being kept in what looked like cages, but this was not the case at every facility, and it certainly was not that case in Bristow.
At Youth For Tomorrow, a nonprofit founded by former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs in 1986, children were reportedly housed in nice quarters and received the physical and psychological care. Virginia Sen. Mark Warner called it a “first rate facility.”In a statement released last June and referenced in that article, YFT related it had served, at that time, over 2,000 "unaccompanied immigrant children" over the previous six years since its involvement began.
We see a lot of virtue signaling going on about our immigration problem. There has been criticism of the Administration, which has brought the broken immigration system to light and attempted to work with Congress for a solution. It is not helpful for congressional leaders or church leaders to use hyperbole to describe the situation just because it fits a certain agenda.
The role of the Christian, I believe, can be to point out deficiencies in situations, but to also to put forth solutions. Open letters, press conferences, and public statements can certainly call attention to what needs to be remedied, but there need to be practical steps taken to solve the problem - and I don't believe that means lobbying for a liberalization of immigration laws.
In the meantime, on the road to a solution, the Church can be involved in intermediary steps in attempting to address the very real crises that people are facing. We can, in our own communities, as well as beyond, look for people to serve.
Finally, in the immigration issue, there should be a renewed emphasis on providing orderly and just immigration policies. It is important to put aside political agendas and pursue commonsense solutions: pursue border security, enforcement of existing laws, and exercise what has been termed, "wise welcome." Noted author Rebecca Hagelin, writing for The Washington Times, states:
Those who advocate for “open borders” and unchecked immigration declare that it is immoral to erect walls or fences to keep people out of America. They often quote a single passage or two from the Bible to make their case, but neglect to consult the whole counsel of Scripture.
The Bible, in fact, does provide real guidance on the divisive topic that consumes much of our national conversation today. Anyone who cares to explore it will see that the Bible teaches us to exercise both love and discernment in deciding how and when to welcome strangers.She quotes Kelly Marie Kullberg, who has been a guest on The Meeting House, writing in the foreword of the Wise Welcome Bible study, which she co-wrote:
"The Bible teaches neither open borders, nor closed borders. It teaches wise welcome. We’re to maintain walls with doors.” She adds that the Bible is very clear that visitors also have obligations: ” [A]liens are required to respect the laws, customs and indigenous culture of the country they have entered.”
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