VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 02/07/2025)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) hosted a Justice Dialogue on February 5 about the current immigration crisis in the United States. This virtual event drew over 250 clergy, activists, educators, and legal professionals. Titled “Care for One Another During Current Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights for Yourself and Your Community,” it was a useful primer for those who are committed to the flourishing of all amid the heightened immigration-related challenges arising from a slew of new policies coming out of Washington, D.C.
“People of faith and goodwill want to actively participate in defending the rights of their loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers who are being targeted,” said the Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, director of ABHMS’ Healing and Transforming Communities unit and the event organizer. “They are seeking information to do that. We know the immigration policies in this nation are complex and complicated. We do not all agree on the best response. But most agree that mass deportation, threats, and disregard for sensitive locations is hostile and unjust,”
Guest speakers included the Rev. Dr. Mar Imsong, executive director of Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministry (MBMM), Robert Vivar of the Border Church in San Diego/Tijuana, and the Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, senior minister of Lake Street Church of Evanston, Illinois. They provided valuable perspectives on serving those who are among the most vulnerable today—immigrants, including asylum seekers and undocumented persons. In doing so, the presenters modeled Jesus’ teachings to embrace those cast out by society (Luke 10:27).
Imsong spoke first, describing the difficulties faced by those living in the U.S. under humanitarian parole, a temporary permit granted to foreign nationals, including Haitians, Ukrainians, and Venezuelans, to enter the country for urgent humanitarian reasons. New policies now subject parolees to expedited removal, which is sparking fear of deportation in communities that MBMM serves. Imsong explained that MBMM is experiencing a distinct decrease in engagement in their programs, such as after-school care. This message that communities are under siege was reinforced by Pastor Fritznel Charles, MBMM’s Haitian and Latinx liaison, who spoke in a video shown by Imsong.
Robert Vivar, who is involved in the nondenominational Border Church in San Diego/Tijuana, spoke next. “I grew up in Riverside, California, and after many years living there, I was deported,” he said. “Border Church was incredibly important as I was able to find an opportunity to reconnect and really expand my relationship with Christ in order to return home one day.” He went on to say that the dictates of the present administration make it almost impossible to return to the U.S. under humanitarian parole. Vivar then shared photos of a worship service for asylum-seeking migrants held between two walls along the U.S-Mexico border; the communion was given through gaps in the metal fence.
Following Vivar, the Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf spoke about his research and activism in the Sanctuary movement. His church has recently redoubled its commitment to become a sanctuary. He referred to this act as a “signature practice of churches proclaiming their worship space as safe from ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] /INS [Immigration Naturalization Service.]” He emphasized that white churches have privilege and theological power that they can harness to become places of safety. Speaking of the need for self-care—taking care of bodies, minds, and spirits—in these times, he said: “It’s true that the current administration’s strategy is to make us feel like we’re constantly barraged. So, we need to look after ourselves in order to be able to care for others. But for some it’s not possible as things may be too precarious to practice self-care.”
During a moderated Q&A session, attendees inquired about the language and legality of “ICE not welcome here” signs outside of churches and whether sanctuary churches are any safer than private homes. Many also asked for online resources that churches can use to equip themselves for the future. ABHMS has compiled a list of resources to aid immigrants and their families in the U.S. who are facing unprecedented challenges to their well-being under the current presidential administration.
The event concluded with prayer led by Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of ABHMS.
A recording of the Justice Dialogue on February 5 is available on the ABHMS YouTube channel and on-demand on MinistrElife
In addition, ministrElife, ABHMS’ online platform for ministry professionals, hosts two communities where conversations around the information presented in “Care for One Another During Current Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights for Yourself and Your Community” will continue. The Justice Dialogue community is open to anyone with a ministrElife account. The Sanctuary Churches in Action community may be joined by ministrElife account holders upon request. Access ministrElife here.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.
VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 02/07/2025)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) hosted a Justice Dialogue on February 5 about the current immigration crisis in the United States. This virtual event drew over 250 clergy, activists, educators, and legal professionals. Titled “Care for One Another During Current Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights for Yourself and Your Community,” it was a useful primer for those who are committed to the flourishing of all amid the heightened immigration-related challenges arising from a slew of new policies coming out of Washington, D.C.
“People of faith and goodwill want to actively participate in defending the rights of their loved ones, neighbors, and co-workers who are being targeted,” said the Rev. Lisa Harris Lee, director of ABHMS’ Healing and Transforming Communities unit and the event organizer. “They are seeking information to do that. We know the immigration policies in this nation are complex and complicated. We do not all agree on the best response. But most agree that mass deportation, threats, and disregard for sensitive locations is hostile and unjust,”
Guest speakers included the Rev. Dr. Mar Imsong, executive director of Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministry (MBMM), Robert Vivar of the Border Church in San Diego/Tijuana, and the Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, senior minister of Lake Street Church of Evanston, Illinois. They provided valuable perspectives on serving those who are among the most vulnerable today—immigrants, including asylum seekers and undocumented persons. In doing so, the presenters modeled Jesus’ teachings to embrace those cast out by society (Luke 10:27).
Imsong spoke first, describing the difficulties faced by those living in the U.S. under humanitarian parole, a temporary permit granted to foreign nationals, including Haitians, Ukrainians, and Venezuelans, to enter the country for urgent humanitarian reasons. New policies now subject parolees to expedited removal, which is sparking fear of deportation in communities that MBMM serves. Imsong explained that MBMM is experiencing a distinct decrease in engagement in their programs, such as after-school care. This message that communities are under siege was reinforced by Pastor Fritznel Charles, MBMM’s Haitian and Latinx liaison, who spoke in a video shown by Imsong.
Robert Vivar, who is involved in the nondenominational Border Church in San Diego/Tijuana, spoke next. “I grew up in Riverside, California, and after many years living there, I was deported,” he said. “Border Church was incredibly important as I was able to find an opportunity to reconnect and really expand my relationship with Christ in order to return home one day.” He went on to say that the dictates of the present administration make it almost impossible to return to the U.S. under humanitarian parole. Vivar then shared photos of a worship service for asylum-seeking migrants held between two walls along the U.S-Mexico border; the communion was given through gaps in the metal fence.
Following Vivar, the Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf spoke about his research and activism in the Sanctuary movement. His church has recently redoubled its commitment to become a sanctuary. He referred to this act as a “signature practice of churches proclaiming their worship space as safe from ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] /INS [Immigration Naturalization Service.]” He emphasized that white churches have privilege and theological power that they can harness to become places of safety. Speaking of the need for self-care—taking care of bodies, minds, and spirits—in these times, he said: “It’s true that the current administration’s strategy is to make us feel like we’re constantly barraged. So, we need to look after ourselves in order to be able to care for others. But for some it’s not possible as things may be too precarious to practice self-care.”
During a moderated Q&A session, attendees inquired about the language and legality of “ICE not welcome here” signs outside of churches and whether sanctuary churches are any safer than private homes. Many also asked for online resources that churches can use to equip themselves for the future. ABHMS has compiled a list of resources to aid immigrants and their families in the U.S. who are facing unprecedented challenges to their well-being under the current presidential administration.
The event concluded with prayer led by Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of ABHMS.
A recording of the Justice Dialogue on February 5 is available on the ABHMS YouTube channel and on-demand on MinistrElife
In addition, ministrElife, ABHMS’ online platform for ministry professionals, hosts two communities where conversations around the information presented in “Care for One Another During Current Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights for Yourself and Your Community” will continue. The Justice Dialogue community is open to anyone with a ministrElife account. The Sanctuary Churches in Action community may be joined by ministrElife account holders upon request. Access ministrElife here.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.