By Daniel Sostaita, Senior Pastor, Iglesia Cristiana sin Fronteras Winston-Salem, N.C.
“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back God’s own Son, but God gave him for us. If God did this, won’t God freely give
us everything else?” -Romans 8:31-32
In North Carolina, legislation like HB-10 gives sheriffs the authority to contact ICE if they detain an undocumented person. For immigrants, this law only adds to a climate of fear and uncertainty. Such policies often reinforce harmful stereotypes, painting immigrants as threats rather than recognizing their humanity and worth.
In this context, Romans 8:31-32 speaks to us with profound assurance: “If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?” No earthly power can separate us from the love of Christ. This promise offers hope and strength to persevere, even amid oppressive systems.
Dr. Barbara A. Sostaita’s work, Sanctuary Everywhere, reminds us of the need to create spaces of emotional, physical and spiritual refuge in a world marked by racism, marginalization and rejection. My daughter, Barbara, describes sanctuary not as a single location, but as a fugitive practice—a commitment to care that crosses boundaries. This challenges us to follow Christ’s example of building sanctuaries, not walls, creating places where love, justice and community flourish.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody sanctuary for one another, especially for those whom society marginalizes. By embracing hope, practicing justice and fostering relationships, we can create inclusive communities that reflect God’s love.
Prayer: God of refuge, empower us to be builders of sanctuary in a world that often excludes and rejects. Help us embody Your love, justice and compassion, offering hope to all who seek refuge in You. Amen.
JUSTICE NOTE
This devotional is deeply connected to the transformative work of sanctuary and justice. Daniel Sostaita’s daughter, Barbara Sostaita, expands on this theme in her book, Sanctuary Everywhere. In this work, Barbara examines how people on the move practice sanctuary in the Sonoran Desert through profound and sacred acts of resistance and care. She explores moments where land resists policies of deterrence, where touch becomes an act of defiance inside detention centers, where healing transcends borders, and where the migrant dead demand justice and remembrance. Barbara reimagines sanctuary as a sacred practice that exceeds institutions and defies conventions, offering a vision of hope and resilience for those seeking refuge.
To learn more, we encourage you to read Sanctuary Everywhere by Barbara Sostaita, available on Amazon.