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4 years ago today, I was on a panel on refugees at the Evangelicals for Life conference
It began with this video, illustrating the sort of airport family reunification I'd personally witnessed, but which I realized a just-announced refugee ban would halt https://vimeo.com/192009410?ref=tw-share
It began with this video, illustrating the sort of airport family reunification I'd personally witnessed, but which I realized a just-announced refugee ban would halt https://vimeo.com/192009410?ref=tw-share
I started that panel in tears, and there have been tears on more than one occasion since over the past 4 years
…conveying to already-resettled former refugees that I simply did not know if or when their spouse, or child, or parent would ever be allowed to join them in the US
…conveying to already-resettled former refugees that I simply did not know if or when their spouse, or child, or parent would ever be allowed to join them in the US
…saying goodbye to longtime colleagues who have given years or decades to serving & welcoming refugees, because @WorldRelief was forced to close 8 offices & let go of more than one-third of our US-based staff as our resettlement numbers declined (ultimately) by about 85%
… &, though there's been amazing support from some evangelical Christians (like https://worldrelief.org/evangelical-leaders-from-all-50-states-urge-president-trump-to-reconsider-reduction-in-refugee-resettlment/), it's been genuinely heartbreaking to see many evangelicals embrace fear-based conspiracy theories & dismiss the Bible as they supported refugee bans https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/27/most-white-evangelicals-approve-of-trump-travel-prohibition-and-express-concerns-about-extremism/
… & then to watch one friend after another—disenchanted by the hostile response of many evangelicals to refugees, immigrants & other people of color—walk away from church & sometimes from faith altogether (writing on this for my next book project, w/ @eric_costanzo & @koobxwm)
4 years later, I'm hopeful that within days we will see things turn around in terms of refugee policy (see https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-0a649290b8a6628900598d4324c3d72b)
I'm excited for the opportunity that presents for churches, many of which have been praying for these changes (see https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2020/november/us-will-re-open-to-refugees-is-us-church-ready.html)
I'm excited for the opportunity that presents for churches, many of which have been praying for these changes (see https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2020/november/us-will-re-open-to-refugees-is-us-church-ready.html)
But I also know that negative attitudes among many other evangelicals toward refugees won't change overnight, & that those of us entrusted with positions of influence in local churches have much discipleship work to do to help Christians respond in a Christ-like way to refugees
Here are a few resources to help:
Bible-reading guides on @YouVersion https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2880-seeking-refuge-gods-heart-for-refugees, https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3493-the-i-was-a-stranger-challenge
Preaching resources:
https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/preach/
Thinking Biblically about Immigrants & Immigration Reform https://action.evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/
Bible-reading guides on @YouVersion https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2880-seeking-refuge-gods-heart-for-refugees, https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3493-the-i-was-a-stranger-challenge
Preaching resources:
https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/preach/
Thinking Biblically about Immigrants & Immigration Reform https://action.evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/
Books
The God Who Sees https://www.amazon.com/God-Who-Sees-Immigrants-Journey/dp/151380412X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=karen+gonzalez&qid=1611785140&s=books&sr=1-1
Refuge Reimagined https://www.ivpress.com/refuge-reimagined
After the Last Border https://www.amazon.com/After-Last-Border-Families-America/dp/0525559132
Welcoming the Stranger http://www.welcomingthestranger.com/
Seeking Refuge https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Refuge-Shores-Global-Refugee/dp/0802414885/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=seeking+refuge&qid=1611786705&sr=8-1
The God Who Sees https://www.amazon.com/God-Who-Sees-Immigrants-Journey/dp/151380412X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=karen+gonzalez&qid=1611785140&s=books&sr=1-1
Refuge Reimagined https://www.ivpress.com/refuge-reimagined
After the Last Border https://www.amazon.com/After-Last-Border-Families-America/dp/0525559132
Welcoming the Stranger http://www.welcomingthestranger.com/
Seeking Refuge https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Refuge-Shores-Global-Refugee/dp/0802414885/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=seeking+refuge&qid=1611786705&sr=8-1
