By Elket Rodriguez
How might God be calling us to be where Jesus would be in this moment?
The current immigration landscape has left many pastors asking a simple but important question: What is ours to do in this moment? While every community’s context is different, the calling of the church remains the same: to faithfully reflect the love, compassion, truth and presence of Christ.
These 10 ideas are not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive. Rather, they are practical ways pastors can help their congregations respond with biblical conviction, courageous leadership and Christlike love for their immigrant neighbors, right here, right now.
- Lead your church through Scripture. Help your congregation interpret this moment through the life and teachings of Jesus rather than through fear, politics or cultural narratives. Preach with compassion, humility and biblical conviction.
- Lead your church in prayer and lament. Create regular opportunities to pray for immigrant families, government leaders, law enforcement, churches and communities. Teach your congregation to lament suffering while proclaiming Christ’s hope.
- Lead your church in hospitality. Cultivate a church culture where immigrant neighbors are welcomed, known and loved. Open your church for prayer, fellowship, support groups, meals and community gatherings.
- Lead your church in preparation. Prepare your congregation before a crisis. Develop contingency plans, share trusted legal resources and ensure your church knows how to respond faithfully if someone is detained or a family needs support.
- Lead your church in discipleship. Teach your congregation what it means to love their immigrant neighbors through everyday acts of compassion, generosity, presence and accompaniment.
- Lead by listening. Spend time listening to immigrant families, Latino congregations and community leaders. Let their stories, experiences and wisdom shape your ministry and your congregation’s response.
- Lead your church toward deeper relationships. Build partnerships with immigrant-serving ministries, attorneys, schools, nonprofits and neighboring churches. Encourage your congregation to know—not simply serve—their immigrant neighbors.
- Lead with truth. Help your congregation recognize and reject misinformation, stereotypes and fear. Model conversations marked by truth, humility and the conviction that every person bears the image of God.
- Lead your church in faithful public witness. Guide your congregation in advocating for human dignity, justice, accountability and compassion. When appropriate, speak publicly, partner with others and encourage faithful civic engagement rooted in the Gospel.
- Lead your church to be where Jesus would be. In every decision, ask, “Where would Jesus be in this moment?” Then lead your congregation to go there—with courage, compassion and hope.
Elket Rodriguez serves as Global Migration Advocate for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He collaborates with and advises staff, field personnel, chaplains, pastoral counselors and partners on immigration advocacy issues, policies and missional strategies. Connect with him at erodriguez@cbf.net.