“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 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 19:33-34)

This month it was very difficult to narrow down which verses to use for my article because in the Bible, God constantly calls us throughout all generations to practice love and hospitality toward immigrants. We follow a savior that began his life as an undocumented immigrant as the Christmas story ends with Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to protect Jesus. The command to care for the immigrant is one of most written about topics in the Bible, so I had literally pages of Bible verses to choose from.

Many member and non-member families come to Ascension for help. They know that Ascension is a faith community that welcomes, supports, walks with, and identifies in many ways with immigrants. One of those identifications was experienced last month when we celebrated Pupusa Fest. The cold weather and wind were no obstacle. Many visitors came to buy pupusas and see the facilities. Many were surprised to see that we have two sanctuaries and were impressed to learn that worship is held at the same time.

Sadly, three days after the festival, just as I was waking up, I received a call that ICE was arresting a member of our ministry who is of Salvadoran origin. I immediately went to his home to accompany the family and, above all, prevent intimidation. When I arrived, the officers had already entered the apartment without a warrant and were preparing to take our member away. Ultimately, our member had the luck that many immigrants don’t have. He was temporarily freed and released under surveillance. You can imagine the pain felt by many in our community. In a three day period, Salvadoran food was celebrated by the same city that cheered the suffering inflicted on a Salvadoran father who just wanted to keep his family safe.

Many immigrants do not believe those who say they welcome immigrants who come here as long as they do so legally. We see that the people who pledge to support only legal immigrants are the same people who also oppose immigration reform that would allow us to be here fully documented. We watch immigrants that are going through the process to be here legally getting deported when they show up for their appointments at immigration offices. A person can not truthfully say they support legal immigrants if they also prevent the possibility of legal migration.

I have the advantage that other immigrant pastors don’t have in this journey of persecution and intimidation. I am very grateful that Pastor Tony and Pastor Chris are walking hand in hand with me, supporting and spiritually assisting immigrant families as we fulfill Jesus’s calling. I know that there are some of you reading this article that are unhappy with me. I want to remind you of what Jesus tells us in Matthew 25.

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

If Matthew 25 is not enough, Jesus also tells us in John 13, “A new command I give you: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” If my words bother you, I can not say sorry, because that would be rejecting Jesus’s message. As a pastor and a Christian, I will never apologize for doing what Jesus commands us to do, even if God’s word makes some church members unhappy. What I will do is pray for you. I humbly ask you all to pray for all immigrant families and for your pastors as we continue walking in this journey.

May the peace of Christ be with you all,

Pastor Edwin