Evangelical Luminaries Pray for Immigration Reform

Prominent evangelicals joined their voices to push for comprehensive immigration reform. Representing a broad spectrum of opinion, the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) hopes to provide the moral conscience for Congress as it deliberates what to do about the nearly 11 million undocumented in the United States.

Some of the leading figures addressed the media in a press conference. Dr. Carlos Campo, President of Regent University, asserted, “[W]e are facing a moral imperative to transform our broken immigration system….Our country will be stronger with a system that strategically addresses our immigration problem, and reflects the compassion that has defined our nation.” Representing the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Russell Moore of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission revealed, “We have recognized that immigration reform is not just a political issue, it’s a personal issue, and we’re praying for justice and compassion, wisdom and mercy. We are speaking to the consciences of our lawmakers.” “We have a great deal of consensus in this country on this issue…What we have here is not a clash of worldviews, but [a question of] how prudentially we move forward on this issue,” he explained.

Surprisingly, Christianity Today’s executive editor Andy Crouch also made an appearance, noting, “There aren’t many changes more dramatic in American evangelicalism than the way its leaders have embraced the indispensable justice of immigration reform.” “[Evangelicals] have seen how directly Scripture addresses the responsibility of nations to welcome and protect the most vulnerable: widows, orphans, and ‘strangers,’” he claimed, “A just and humane system for recognizing and welcoming immigrants is a biblical non-negotiable for any nation that wants to reflect the heart of God.”

Prominent New Orleans pastor David Crosby intoned, “[Illegal aliens] are robbed, raped, and pillage without going to the police…They may be here by their own fault, but it’s on us on how we treat them.” Sojourners chief Jim Wallis, a leader in the Evangelical Left, enthused, “We have been converted by our Scriptures!…We pray today for the conversion of the Congress on this issue.” “We call upon this Congress to realize the moral urgency of immigration,” he exclaimed, “Personal faith must drive out fear.”

During the Q&A session, Napp Nazworth of the Christian Post inquired about Eric Metaxas’ withdrawal from the EIT. The noted author and speaker has publicly explained he did not know his signature and approval would be used to promote particular pieces of legislation. The National Latino Evangelical Coalition’s Rev. Gabriel Salguero quickly approached the microphone to answer, “I think the reality is that we don’t endorse any particular legislation. “What we’re saying here, what we’ve said before, what we stand behind is we endorse these principles and we want real bipartisan solutions that speak to the … moral crisis we have,” he clarified. World Relief’s Jenny Yang also hurried to add, “And we do not specifically endorse any particular political means to accomplish reform.” In his report, Nazworth observed the many legislative paths that immigration reform may take in Congress.

Nevertheless, it seems unusual that EIT would schedule a “Day of Prayer and Action” just as the House of Representatives considers the Gang of Eight Bill. A nearly identical event occurred earlier this year as the Senate debated (and later passed) the same bill. All comments and rhetorical pressure in the press conference and later worship service focused on the House as well. Moreover, members of the press were handed a memo entitled, “Evangelicals Meet with Republican Leadership on Immigration Reform.”

The subsequent worship service offered a platform to freer spirits. Dr. Brenda McNeil, teaching pastor at Quest Church, “There’s a scarcity assumption in a lot of the immigration debate,…but I believe in a God of more than enough…Can God cause everyone to have enough?” She cajoled her audience to have the “faith of Abraham—we don’t have the plan or know all the answers, but we believe God will find a way.”

Rev. Gabriel Salguero returned to preach, “We as Christians have a good moral template.” “Although [the members of Congress] legislate, we guide the moral compass,” he added. Salguero threatened, “If you do what is right, the church will applaud you. If you do what’s wrong, the church will denounce you!”

Jim Wallis rounded out the docket of speakers: “Our Hispanic brothers and sisters have led us on this Gospel issue for so many years.” “They can’t deport the future of the church,” he complained, “When part of the body of Christ suffers, we will all suffer.”