Cats, Dogs, and Humans

Perhaps no greater issue outside of possibly the economy is generating emotion and discussion these days than the subject of immigration. And, while enforcing the law is important, we recognize that communities all across our land are dealing with influxes of people, some illegal, others allowed into our country through government programs. Acts 17 says this:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

The spotlight has been shone on Springfield, Ohio, recently, amid reports from townspeople who have reported unusual occurrences involving new residents of the city, which has a population of 60,000, but has acquired scores of new residents apparently transported into the city by federal government officials.

The Federalist reported:

Testimonies from Springfield residents at a recent city commission meeting record neighbors reporting shocking details of migrant behavior, from outright harassment to allegedly gruesome executions of local wildlife in public spaces.

The article also noted, regarding a caller to the police department:

According to a police report reviewed by The Federalist, the call was placed on Aug. 26, before the Columbus suburb located roughly 50 miles from the state capital became nationally known this week for epitomizing the nation’s migrant crisis. The caller told the dispatcher he saw four migrants in total, two men and two women, each carrying a single goose.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost posted on X:

There’s a recorded police call from a witness who saw immigrants capturing geese for food in Springfield. 

Citizens testified to City Council. 

These people would be competent witnesses in court. Why does the media find a carefully worded City Hall press release better evidence?

Journalist Christopher Rufo reported on an incident in Dayton, Ohio, about a half-hour away, where two cats were allegedly placed on a grill.  Rufo wrote that even though this event was allegedly captured on video in another city...

...it does break the general narrative peddled by the establishment media and its “fact checkers,” who insisted that this has never happened, and that any suggestion otherwise is somehow an expression of racism.

It takes only a single exception, however, to falsify a hypothesis, and the logical next step, for any honest broker, is to ask if it is happening more often, and elsewhere. It is not implausible. Many developing nations, including the Congo and Haiti, have traditions of animal sacrifice or consumption of what Americans would consider household pets. And if this occurred in Dayton, where the migrant population is relatively small, it could be going on down the road in Springfield, where it is relatively much larger.

Imagine the frustration of residents of Springfield who are being discredited by members of the national media.  Residents who have seen an influx of immigrants who have been forced to adapt to new surroundings, transported by tax dollars and placed in various communities across the United States, including several in Alabama.  Some call them immigrants, others say they are legal, allowed to migrate to America through a government immigration program, established without a Congressional vote. 

Owen Strachan, writing for the James Dobson Family Institute, states:

As Christians, we must step back and let the temperature in the room cool for a moment (see James 1:19). When we do that, we see that we have a real issue before us. Whatever is going on in Springfield (and reports are not encouraging), America has been hit hard by leftist policies on illegal immigration. Numerous communities have buckled under the weight of a sudden influx of immigrants, with very little infrastructure to help handle such drastic infusions.

He notes that Christians are to be people of welcome, writing:

America has historically been a “nation of immigrants,” and happily so. Yet there is a straight line from the “open borders” ideology to the national drug crisis. This is not a bug in the leftist software; it is a feature. Tragically, the Left wants—and has created—an unsecured border and an open nation.

As Christians, we have much to say about this. We welcome sojourners, recognizing that we are all “strangers and exiles” on the earth (Hebrews 11:13–16). But we know that the character of nations matters to the Lord as well. We get a powerful picture of the importance of walls and borders in the book of Nehemiah when Nehemiah leads the people of God to rebuild Jerusalem and uses both a sword and a trowel to do so.

Strachan notes: "So, while immigration is good in principle, unlimited immigration is untenable, and illegal immigration is unconscionable. Our nation needs to be secured, illegal immigration needs to be stopped, and citizens of communities all across America need to be protected."

There is much concern, rightly so, over our nation's immigration policy.  But, we have to recognize that no matter where the people coming to our town have come from, the fact is they are here now, and there is ministry to be done!

Two pastors in Springfield spoke with FoxNews.com recently.  BJ Newman stated: "I think the suffering is real," adding, "One of the reasons that I wanted to speak to this is because I am a pastor, and because I am seeing the local people that I’m ministering to are being affected by it."  The article noted:

At the heart of the issue, Newman argued, is how quickly the makeup of the town changed, exacerbating cultural differences that have led to tensions between longtime locals and the growing population of refugees from Haiti.

The pastor also said, "I think most people here in Springfield are good people, I think most people here are very kind and hospitable people. And I do think that the massive influx in such a short time has created real stress, real friction, and ultimately, I think that’s the source of all of the difficulty..."

Pastor Adam Banks related, "There’s tension in the community, much like the ways that tension has arisen in the past when there have been new members to move into an established area..." The article went on to say:

Banks chalked up the current tension in Springfield to a "lack of understanding" and "familiarity" between two cultures not used to each other, but argued that also means there are "more people who are available to share their gifts" and assist with "services in the community."

Banks has had members of the Haitian community in the city attend his church; Fox noted:

"They have joined right in helping with the sound system, sharing special music, sharing their lovely voices, reading scripture, providing leadership in various capacities in the congregation," Banks said, adding that he will continue to "welcome" people who "want to celebrate the gift that each person brings and magnify God."

And, as Baptist Press reports, Christian leaders have a seat at the table in attempting to address the crisis, including Florida pastor Keny Felix, who came with "a delegation from Florida" which "met with Southern Baptist denominational leaders, pastors, ministry leaders, and community and civic leaders to discuss ways to serve as many as 15,000 Haitians living there as legal immigrants."

David Eugene, who was part of the Florida delegation, said: "We plan to meet with the other pastors that are a part of this network to debrief them on our visit...and together come up with a plan of intervention based on what we’ve observed.” Baptist Press stated:

Creole language speakers and cultural sensitivity training are prime needs, Eugene said, as well as a mentoring program “to ensure we have Haitians in that population who are equipped and can provide some guidance and will help the assimilation of the Haitian immigrants in that community.”

Certainly, in Springfield, as in other cities that are dealing with this particular issue, as well as other civic challenges, there needs to be a listening ear.  And, the Church should ideally have a seat at the table in helping to provide community solutions. And, to help craft a Biblically-consistent approach to the border issue, which is certainly a major concern in our country.  Virgil Walker, writing at the Standing for Freedom Center website, states:

...as we acknowledge that illegal immigration is a violation of the law, we must not lose sight of the humanity inherent in others. They are individuals — men, women, and children — who possess an intrinsic value and worth bestowed upon them by God. This necessitates a form of response from both the government and its citizens that safeguards the rights of all, upholds the rule of law, and embodies compassion and grace.

Certainly, Springfield is hurting, and there are residents who are not being heard. Wherever we are, the Church should lead the way in compassionately identifying a complicated issue, and demonstrate the compassion of Christ.