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An Immigrant’s Perspective
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he topic of immigration is packed with emotions and opinions. Last year, a Gallup survey found that 640 million adults would want to migrate to another country if they had the chance. In 1992, my parents left their native land in pursuit of a different life in a foreign country. We were already a “missionary family” to the indigenous people near San Quintín in the Mexican state of Baja California. Our immigration process was nothing short of a miracle. Of the hundreds of applications for residential entry into the United States, only 10 visas were granted in one day; four went to my family. My small world quickly turned upside down. In a foreign country, surrounded by a strange language and culture, I
had many disadvantages. I remember my parents’ struggles too. They took jobs no one else wanted and worked 12-hour days while leading a church plant. I also remember how much the Free Methodist Church cared for us. Scripture reminds us God’s people are called to take care of four groups of people (Deuteronomy 14:22–29). The foreigners, orphans, poor and widows are invited to come, eat and be satisfied. We are given a keen perspective into God’s perfect design for the way we conduct our lives, Cordova i Jay manage our finances and prioritize Web Architect time for His kingdom. [LLM]
EXTRA! EXTRA! Read more about helping immigrants at llcomm.org
1] Do you use QR codes? Scan this box with your smartphone to read more articles on this issue’s theme. 2] Embrace All People Watch videos and learn about diverse FM ministries at fmchr.ch/embraceallpeople. 3] More Discipleship Find a new article about immigration each week in May.
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4
LLM LIGHT & LIFE MAGAZINE
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LLM | May 2013
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3 [feature] Out of that collective memory, God gives instructions to treat foreigners with justice: “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 22:21). “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34). “The community is to have the same rules for you and for the foreigner residing among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the Lord: The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you” (Numbers 15:15–16). The gospel takes us beyond contemporary migration movements’ economic and political causes to see God’s plan for all peoples and how God’s people should respond in compassionate service. In the suffering and hopes of immigrants and refugees, we
discover the unity of the human family, the dignity of every person and the presence of the Lord who made Himself one with the immigrants when He said, “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35). The followers of this stranger, Jesus, distinguish themselves by disproportionately caring for other strangers and the vulnerable classes (widows and fatherless). When no one else defends them, the church stands in their defense.
Leveling Aspect In the Great Commission, Jesus sent His followers to make disciples of all ethnicities. Although routinely misunderstood as only for missionaries, these instructions apply to the church, which is sent to all people groups. Jesus mandates the church to make disciples across the boundaries of us/them. This is a core identity issue. No legitimate church avoids breaking the boundaries of ethnicity, because that is how our Lord defined us and where our Lord sent us. Citizenship concerns are of secondary importance because Christians are on a mission that functions above the temporal boundaries of state and economies. The mission
overrides smaller concerns, like migratory status, and elevates caring for people (making disciples).
Hospitality Peter, Paul and John urge us to be hospitable (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 1:8) both to strangers and the household of faith. The church has historically emphasized hospitality’s role with the saying, “When a guest comes, Christ comes.” We welcome every guest to our door, church and country with the same hospitality with which we would welcome Christ. Hospitality goes beyond entertaining acquaintances. It is an offering to those unable to reciprocate. As Jesus said, “And you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:14). Hospitality has overtones of the hospital — of care for the weak, broken and diseased. As Jesus said, “I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:36). Hospitality is other-serving, not self-serving. It involves sacrifice, risk and identification with strangers. We translate “hospitality” from the Greek word philoxenia, which literally means
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“love of strangers.” Biblical hospitality involves how we treat needy strangers.
Work From Adam and Eve’s original duties of working and caring for the garden, we have been charged with having productive lives. Government should allow and encourage work in keeping with God’s purposes for humankind. Impediments to work contradict God’s desire that we work. If jobs are available in one country and not another, we desire immigration policy that allows access to jobs. Inviting foreigners to work is part of the American experience. The United States welcomed those yearning to breathe free, work and provide for their families. U.S. history is also filled with reactions against immigrants upon whose backs the country was built. From the “exclusionary” immigration laws in 1875 to the Secure Fence Act of 2006, the nation has often restricted the immigration of particular sets of foreigners. The United States includes a large class (probably 11 million) of undocumented immigrants, primarily because of the quota system that limits menial-worker visas by country of origin. Despite some criminals
Our view of r corresponds ight and wrong values that mto a higher set of and scoundrels, the vast majority of undocumented in opposition ay set us to state law workers have braved s. untold dangers and risked meager savings to come to the United States to work for us. They are caught in inconsistencies between U.S. law, which criminalizes them, and the U.S. economy, which depends on them as a labor source. They are largely forced into an invisible world in which people are afraid to access health care, police protection, schools, retirement programs, the welfare system and churches. In this world, human trafficking thrives. Legislation has been proposed several times during the past decade to provide a guest-worker program with a legal pathway for temporary workers (like the Bracero Program from 1942 to 1964), but the proposals have not succeeded. Undocumented workers fill many of our least-desirable jobs, which birthright Americans often will not take at any wage.
Submission Law-abiding citizens often feel uneasy when confronted with undocumented workers or encouraged to challenge immigration policy. Some are unsure how to apply scriptural admonitions about care for foreigners
if such care conflicts with public policy. Peter and Paul call for submission to the state (1 Peter 2:13–14; Romans 13:1–2), but both apostles disobeyed the state when it conflicted with God’s higher principles. They understood that we always submit to the state, but we obey the state only when policies do not conflict with higher principles. For Christians, all laws are subject to a higher law understood through Scripture. World history contains examples of unjust laws designed for economic exploitation. The Christian does not accept law uncritically. Our view of right and wrong corresponds to a higher set of values that may set us in opposition to state laws. The Christian is in the Hebraic tradition, which welcomes and cares for immigrants. Free Methodists recognize the tensions between immigration policy and the church’s theology and historic practice. Christian citizens will often feel the friction and will call governments to God’s principles. Meanwhile, we minister to all people, especially the foreigners among us. LLM | May 2013
5 [feature] Action Steps With regard to serving immigrants, we: l assist with language acquisition. l provide food in cases of hunger. l help with basic needs, such as furniture, appliances, toilet paper, toothpaste and soap. l give guidance in navigating governmental realities, such as obtaining drivers licenses and health care, translating documents, and completing residency and citizenship classes. l promote cultural awareness by teaching and learning about cultural differences. l focus on soul care, ensuring immigrants can worship and hear Jesus’ story. l willingly serve all people we encounter, regardless of migratory status, because of spiritual equality. l provide venues to interact with immigrants to understand their stories, needs, hopes and dreams. l celebrate when church members reach people “not like themselves” with the good news of Jesus. l invite immigrants into our homes and spend time in their homes. l care for children who have been
distanced from family by the deportation of undocumented parents. With regard to work, we: l establish two-way communication between people engaged in multiethnic ministries. l supply one another with contact information for immigration lawyers, social workers and supportive agencies already in use across the denomination. l inform ourselves about economic systems that use migrant workers as an unregulated labor source. With regard to the state, we: l respect governments’ rights to restrict immigration, but we also are eager to extend opportunities to people whose countries have had poor governance. l advocate for creating conditions in native lands that would make immigration unnecessary. l understand that God, not the state, grants ecclesial functions. We offer the sacraments, conduct marriages, perform funerals and ordain ministers without consideration of immigration status. l submit to the state, including
[feature] 6 its right to punish us when we believe and act on principles of a higher order that bring us into nonviolent conflict with state policy. l advocate for public policy that increases the embracing mechanisms of immigration law without draining other countries of highly skilled people needed to lift those countries to a higher state of well-being. l oppose public policy that unintentionally creates a class of undocumented workers by restricting immigration of workers on whom sections of our economy rely. l communicate with our legislators and in the public forum to advocate for immigration reform. [LLM]
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David Roller is a Free Methodist Church – USA bishop.
Bruce Cromwell is the lead pastor of Lansing (Mich.) Central FMC.
warmbeach.org Stanwood, WA Warm Beach Senior Community is a ministry of the Free Methodist Church and is full of those 62+ who want to remain purposeful and actively engaged in life. At Warm Beach, you’ll experience: l Scenic 90-acre campus l Christian environment l Manufactured homes, cottages, apartments and low income housing l Future health care available on site, if needed l Close to shopping, restaurants, medical facilities and services l Guest accommodations l Access to 22 miles of walking trails, indoor swimming pool, exercise room, billiards, on-site chapel service and volunteer opportunities l Security patrol 24/7 l Breathtaking scenery of the Pacific Northwest Discover more at warmbeach.org or by visiting our Facebook page.
20420 Marine Drive | Stanwood, WA 98292
7 [foundation]
God and Immigrants BY CLIFF RAPP
S C RI P T U R E : Psalm 146:9 Leviticus 19:33–34 Numbers 15:15–16 Matthew 7:12 Matthew 25:43
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ome of God’s best friends were immigrants. Abraham, named the “friend of God” three times in the Bible, relocated to Haran and then to Canaan. Moses, who spoke with God “face to face,” fled to Midian for 40 years and finished his life wandering in the wilderness. God took on the role of protector of foreigners in Israel (Psalm 146:9). Some foreigners were “God fearers” who did not go through full conversion. Others converted and were circumcised. Some converts assimilated into Israeli culture, like Ruth the Moabite and Uriah the Hittite. Others, like the Gibeonites and the Kenites, remained distinct subcultures. God seems to have approved of either decision. He worked through Gibeonites, Kenites, Ruth and Uriah. The covenant of Moses insisted there was one law for both Israelites and foreigners (Numbers 15:15–16). A key command was: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34). Similar to the Golden Rule, God’s charge for Israel was to treat immigrants as they would have liked to have been treated in Egypt. Oppressing a foreigner was strictly forbidden in the Law (Leviticus 19:33), but Jesus takes us further and warns us against the failure to act compassionately (Matthew 25:43). Our faith must show itself in active, generous love for those in need. What needs do immigrants have? Assistance with English, registering children for school and filling out forms are among ways to help others connect to a new culture. Friendship is essential for everybody. All need to know Jesus and be enfolded into a church where they experience God’s love and protection. [LLM]
Moses’ Blessings, © Light and Life Press
LLM | May 2013
Cliff Rapp has served as a pastor in the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference for 36 years. He has overseen the Asian-American Christian Fellowship on two university campuses.
[history] 8
Francis Asbury: Immigrant Evangelist BY MARK ALAN LESLIE
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ther than American Indians, most residents of the American colonies were immigrants in 1771. With no Ellis Island, Castle Garden or Citizen and Immigration Services, immigrants sailed here and went their way. Into this America seething with talk of revolution sailed the British Francis Asbury. His call from John Wesley and God: Spread the gospel. Asbury, 26, immediately encountered what he termed “cityitis.” Preachers were ensconced in the cities where most of the colonists lived. Having cut his teeth walking a circuit in England, he took to the countryside on horseback — first stop: Westchester, N.Y. He never stopped riding. When the American Revolution broke out, Wesley called all preachers home. Only Asbury refused, asking: Who will care for the spiritual needs of God’s people? At the end of the war, George Washington personally thanked Asbury for his steadfast support of the colonists. When elected the American co-bishop with Thomas Coke in 1784, Asbury established circuits across the colonies. He spoke to every state legislature and was close friends with several governors, but he refused an easy life. He rode on despite sometimes being stalked by hungry wolves and chased by highwaymen and American Indians. He fought pleurisy and arthritis so severe that he could not always stand to preach or kneel to pray. Whether on “highways” or Indian trails, he traversed the Allegheny Mountains dozens of times. The Holy Spirit rode with Asbury, converting the lost wherever he went. Under his leadership, the Methodist Church grew from 600 to more than 240,000. Because Asbury traveled 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year on horseback or carriage, he became better recognized than any of the founding fathers. Mail addressed only “Bishop Asbury, America” found him. Imagine all this from one British immigrant. [LLM]
Francis Asbury (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Historical Center)
Mark Alan Leslie (markalanleslie.com) is the author of “Midnight Rider for the Morning Star” about Francis Asbury.
LLM | May 2013
BY CHRISTY MESAROS-WINCKLES
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our years ago, Shane and Lona Lakatos took their children to play at a park in Toledo, Ohio. As they played, another family approached them because they noticed the Lakatoses speaking Arabic. As the two families chatted, the Laka-
LLM | May 2013
toses realized their new friends needed help. This wasn’t a one-time occurrence. The Lakatoses began meeting many more Toledo residents who speak Arabic. Per capita, Toledo has the largest Arab-American population in Ohio. uuu
[action] 10 The Lakatos family gathers regularly with friends u and volunteers at Toledo’s Ottowa Park.
Immigrants are drawn to the city because of its strong Arab community, but they often face heartbreaking challenges and difficult living situations. When the Lakatoses moved to Toledo, they had no idea what God had planned. The casual conversations at the park, grocery store and McDonald’s soon made it apparent that immigrant families in northwest Ohio needed help. “Our passion is serving immigrants and refugees. God tells us to welcome the foreigner to show Christ’s love. Hospitality communicates so much in the Arab culture,” Lona Lakatos said.
Photos by Andrea Anibal
faith in action In September 2012, Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC) became a nonprofit organization. SSFAC focuses on five areas of need — translation and interpretation, emergency resources, family welfare, employment and training, and health services. SSFAC helps immigrant families become self-sufficient and adjust to life in the United States. The organization serves Arab immigrants from all religious backgrounds and without any expectations or conditions. Volun-
teers are intentional in showing Christ’s love through their work, allowing their actions to speak before their words. Their service has made an impact. SSFAC now serves 95 families (300 individuals), and the caseload continues to grow. “There is such a huge need. We haven’t begun to scratch the surface,” Shane Lakatos explained.
FM support The mission of SSFAC is supported by two Free Methodist congregations, Crossroads Community Church in Ottawa Lake, Mich., and Holland FMC in Holland, Ohio. Additional support and resources come from the local Christian community and from Muslims who share SSFAC’s vision. “We support the work of Shane and Lona because they are helping meet specific, personal needs of immigrants in our community,” said Keith Simpson, the senior pastor at Holland FMC. “They are expressing the love of Christ in tangible ways.” Both congregations also help SSFAC by providing desperately needed manpower to the new nonprofit. Last fall, SSFAC raised
funds and organized a drive to send a shipping container filled with 35,000 pounds of clothing to Syrian refugees in Jordan’s Al Zaatari refugee camp. Holland FMC served as a drop site for the drive, and both Crossroads and Holland coordinated volunteers to help collect the clothing and load the container. “Our passion is to help others realize there is a population of people who are foreigners, and, in keeping with scriptures, we want to offer them hospitality, love and support,” said Jamie Rye, the pastor of For more informamissions and congregational tion, visit SSFAC’s care at Crossroads and the Facebook page at facebook.com/ president of SSFAC’s board ssfactoledo. of directors. [LLM]
LLM | May 2013
11 [news]
Refugees Move Cross-Country With FM Help BY CHUCK HUSTED
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y service as a pastor has presented me with many opportunities to interact with people of other ethnic groups or cultures, but never before have I lived in close quarters with strangers as I did one week in November. Our Spring Arbor (Mich.) FMC was contacted with a special request to move a family of 10 refugees across the country. Wayne Miller, leader of our Men of Action group, asked me if I would see what could be done. The Kizenga family fled their native home in the Congo 14 years ago and lived as refugees in neighboring Tanzania. In May 2012, they came to the United States and resettled in Salt Lake City. Justin, the father, had not been able to find work there. As the end of the governmentprovided support drew near, it seemed best to move to Baltimore near one of his brothers, who asked Bishop David Roller if the Free To read more about the trip, visit Methodist Church could fmchr.ch/kizenga. help. LLM | May 2013
Church member David Probst owned a large motor home and was willing to join me in this mission. Spring Arbor University let us borrow a 6-by-10-foot trailer. A couple of days before leaving, things changed. No p The Kizenga family prepares for the journey housing could be with help from the Spring found in Baltimore. Arbor FMC. (Courtesy of Chuck Husted) Another one of The Kizenga family is u Justin’s brothers, now residing in Wadesi, who lived Cleveland. (Courtesy of Chuck Husted) in Cleveland, found a house for the Kizenga family to rent and offered to help them. God was at work. We stayed one night in the Mapleand then a wonderful time of prayer view FMC parsonage in Omaha, Neb., and singing. with Pastor Ken and Barb Wilson. In those four days on the road, In the morning, we had a wondercrowded into the space of the motor ful breakfast followed by devotions, home, we all bonded. We are like including reading Matthew 6:25–34 family now. [LLM] verse by verse in English and Swahili,
[news] 12 URBAN FREE METHODISTS MEET AT CUE Forestville, Md.
The Free Methodist Urban Fellowship’s Continental Urban Exchange (CUE) was held March 13–15 at New Vision Fellowship to refresh and retool urban workers. FMUF’s new board includes B. Elliott Renfroe, president; Bruce N.G. Cromwell, vice president; Patrick McNeal, secretary/treasurer; David Gonzales; Heidi Lyda; and Shawn Morrison. Find more coverage at fmchr.ch/fmufcue.
TINSLEY RECEIVES LIVINGSTON SCHOLARSHIP Wilmore, Ky.
Andrea Tinsley, the Wilmore FMC youth pastor and a graduating Asbury Theological Seminary senior, received a scholarship in memory of G. Herbert and Maria Livingston through the John Wesley Seminary Foundation. The scholarship was presented March 10 at the evening worship service with participation by Nellie Kester — the Livingstons’ daughter — and her husband, Ralph Kester.
WYNN SHARES STORY ON TV New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
An interview with Susan Wynn, an FM elder, aired March 18 on “The 700 Club” television program. Wynn shared about her battle with multiple sclerosis, finding faith in Christ and being healed. To read more and watch the interview, visit fmchr.ch/700clubstory. To buy Wynn’s book, “From Death to Life,” visit fmchr.ch/susanwynn.
SPU HOSTS RECONCILIATION SUMMIT Seattle
Reconciliation Summit 2013, a free event addressing the question of intercultural competency in an increasingly diverse community, was held April 14–17 on the Seattle Pacific University campus. The summit featured community leaders; SPU faculty, staff and students; and a keynote address by John Perkins. For more details about the summit, visit fmchr.ch/spusummit.
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The Rest of the Story Want to find indepth stories of remarkable Free Methodists? Visit fmcusa.org.
We want to hear from you! Tell us what your church is doing to impact lives in the United States and around the world. Submit your story at fmcusa.org/ yourstory. LLM | May 2013
13 [world]
Free Methodist Bishop Buconyori Dies BY JEFF FINLEY
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ree Methodists are thanking God for the faithful legacy of Bishop Elie Buconyori — the leader of the 130,000–member Free Methodist Church in Burundi, the president of Hope Africa University and the president of the Free Methodist World Conference — while mourning the end of Buconyori’s earthly life. Nzigo Onesiphore, the Burundi FMC’s executive secretary, said that Buconyori died on Easter Sunday, March 31. A funeral was held April 5 at the Ngagara FMC in Bujumbura. In a joint statement, the Free Methodist Church – USA Board of Bishops described Buconyori’s death as “a huge loss to world Free Methodism and to the broader Body of Christ. In Burundi (and all of central Africa), he was a beloved and respected bishop. At Hope Africa University, he was an esteemed leader. In the World Conference, he has made invaluable contributions in times of turmoil and has been a wise member of the World Conference Executive Committee.” Buconyori was elected bishop in 2000. He was the founding rector of Hope Africa University. In 2012, the Inter University Council of East Africa elected him as president, its first leader from Burundi. He also served as a board member of Chicago-based Olive Branch Mission. David E. Bates, Olive Branch’s president and chief executive officer, said Buconyori had experienced “serious health challenges” In-depth coverage is available online at but is now transitioned “into the arms of his fmchr.ch/buconyori. Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” LLM | May 2013
Joy Buconyori with Bishop Elie Buconyori (Courtesy of Sister Connection)
Buconyori led Burundi’s Christian Church Forum that represents 80 percent of Burundi’s population. “We want to express sincere sympathies to Joy and the Buconyori family, to the Free Methodist Church in Burundi and to the staff and students of Hope Africa University,” the bishops said. “We call the Free Methodist Church – USA to join us in prayer for the Buconyori family and the FMC in Burundi.” Along with his wife, Joy, Buconyori is survived by his children, Désiré, LaCharité, LeBonheur and LeBeni. [LLM]
[discipleship] 14
Embracing Immigrants BY FREDY CABALLERO
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hen people are divided into “immigrants” and “citizens,” we may assume natural or good reasons explain the difference between those labels. But the difference and the divide are neither natural nor good. Immigrants are more likely to be exposed to a host of negative living conditions that include danger, suspicion and violence. Crimes committed against immigrants are less likely to be prosecuted. According to Fuller Theological Seminary assistant professor Tommy Givens, two principal factors falsely naturalize and mythologize the border between citizens and immigrants. One is the way we remember history without repentance or detail. “The U.S.-Mexican border, for example, is legitimized by the collective refusal to remember and act redemptively upon the violent U.S. aggression and exploitation by which it came to be. And so we assume that it just has to be there rather than resisting its presence in the service of Christ,” Givens states in “Christians Without Borders: A Christian Call to Denaturalize,” which can be read online at fmchr.ch/tgivens. A second factor is how we view the difference between citizens and immigrants. We incorrectly assume that “foreigners” in the Bible are neatly equivalent to foreigners in our communities and in every other time and place. In the Bible, people were never only foreigners or only the home population. In biblical times, the home populations of God’s people were once foreigners and, therefore, were connected and beholden to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; Ephesians 2:11–13). Givens states that foreigners had “the same beginning as the home population and a destiny at the table of Abraham’s blessing by the worldwide power of Christ” (Genesis 12:3; Matthew 28:18–20). [LLM]
Fredy Caballero is the associate pastor of Light and Life Christian Fellowship in Sylmar, Calif., and a student at Fuller Theological Seminary.
GROUP DISCUSSION: [1] What does the Bible teach about creating equality for all humanity?
[2] How can we remove borders that divide communities to teach and enact God’s Word?
Did you know a new discipleship article is posted to our website each week? The four monthly articles are perfect for use in your small group or as a weekly supplement to individual study. LLM | May 2013
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“BEING THE CHURCH…” Gary L. McIntosh and Alan McMahan provide reasons and advice for “Being the Church in a Multi-Ethnic Community”: fmchr.ch/beingchurch. “STRANGERS NEXT DOOR” J.D. Payne reveals opportunities to share the gospel with immigrants: fmchr.ch/strangersnext.
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[resources] Read more about immigration and the church in these books available from our partner, Wesleyan Publishing House.
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“CHRISTIANS AT THE BORDER” M. Daniel Carroll Rodas tells why multiple sides in the immigration debate have much to learn: fmchr.ch/chrborder. “WELCOMING THE STRANGER” World Relief employees Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang give advice for reaching out to immigrants: fmchr.ch/welcomingstranger.
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