One of the most complicated issues the church faces today is immigration. Is it legal for your church to minister to immigrants without legal status? And, what is the biblical response to the immigration debate? This thorny issue will be the subject of a wonderful event only three minutes from my home on August 12. This event will feature a panel of local pastors, lunch with immigrant families, and teaching by two wonderful leaders. It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. You are invited to attend and get involved. I hope some of you who live in this area will join me for the day.
The two plenary speakers for this event are Dr. Daniel Carroll (photo left), the distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and the author of Christians at the Border: Immigrants, the Church, and the Bible. The other speaker is my friend Matthew Soerens (photo right). Matt works for World Relief in my area and is the co-author of the book Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate.
Live conversation with people actually involved in this issue and in the mission of Christ is absolutely essential. I sometimes wonder if my Christian friends who are so angry about this vexing issue have ever sat down at a meal with a Christian brother or sister who came here illegally. Have they gotten beyond the interpretation that they have put upon law and focused on mercy and justice both? Do they care or is this all about “sending the lawbreakers back home.” I don’t have all the answers. No one does. But I want to learn more so I signed up for this event. I hope some of you will do the same. I will try to say more about this via my Twitter and Facebook page as well.
This event is hosted by Wheaton Bible Church and Iglesia del Pueblo, located at 27W500 North Avenue, West Chicago, IL 60185. All the information you need to get to sign up and learn more is online.
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