These Questions Remain | A Reflection
What sets apart the peacemaking work of Border Perspective?
At Border Perspective, we get to offer another way forward in the immigration conversation — to view people who are arriving at our southern border through God’s eyes and to look to scripture to see and understand how human migration is an avenue, past and present, through which God has and is reconciling His creation to Himself.
As of 2023, there are an estimated 117.3 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Nations around the world are challenged to make immigration policy decisions, decisions that are no doubt challenging to make, and decisions that are crucial as the number of those displaced worldwide continues to increase annually.
Is the role of the church the same as the role of the government, or is it distinct?
FOR US AS THE CHURCH, THESE QUESTIONS REMAIN:
Will we ask God how He is moving in and through global migration, and come alongside Him when He shows us?
Will we as the Church, set apart from the world by God, boldly rise to be people of truth, love, welcome, and hospitality; placing faithfulness to God above political affiliations?
Unpacking these themes and questions with the groups we host truly characterizes so much of the work we do — through education, service, meeting & interacting with the individuals and families arriving at the southern border, and working alongside the agencies that serve them.
READ THIS REFLECTION FROM LOLA VELAZQUEZ | SERVICE LEARNING TRIP PARTICIPANT
Our team went on a trip to Texas for service learning. We learned about the border between South Texas and Mexico, and about the people from many different countries who are seeking asylum in the United States to be here as citizens. This trip was extremely eye opening and it has impacted me in such a way that I've never been impacted in before.
We heard many tragic stories of how these immigrants came here. These stories are so impactful and heartbreaking to hear, and there are millions of other people out there with their own stories to tell. I got to connect with the children of these families who are new to the US, and I asked a 10 year old boy that I befriended during rounds of Uno if he had any friends here. He said no, that he doesn't know anybody here, but his best friend left the day before. He doesn't know if he'll ever see him again.
It was a huge reminder to be grateful for the little things and not take anything for granted. We were taught through devotionals every morning to love the foreigner, to welcome them with open arms. Matthew 25:35 says “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Something that stood out to me was that only 26% of christians cite the bible to back up their beliefs on immigrant issues.
I think this trip meant a lot to me because half of my family has these stories to tell, from Mexico. I came to Texas knowing some of the things people go through to get here, but my Papa has had much time to heal. These people's experiences are fresh and new, which was all the more heartbreaking and made me realize the depth of the problem with the border. I left this trip with a new perspective on the border and a tighter relationship with my church.
— Lola Velazquez | City Church
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