Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
As people of faith, we are called to change the way our minds work. Renewing ourselves to the will of God starts with the mind. Once our minds have been transformed, our hearts will be renewed to what our minds know to be true. When our hearts are transformed, then we will be compelled to action.
In our current climate, there has been an increase of hate crimes, racism, and violence against those who fled their countries from war, poverty, violence, environmental disasters, and other tragic afflictions. We are called as people of faith to defend those who are oppressed. Now is the time to join together to stand against these unjust policies that harm our immigrant communities and harshly separate families.
The North Carolina Council of Churches and our partners have launched the North Carolina Sanctuary Coalition. The Sanctuary Coalition is an interfaith network of congregations, organizations, and individuals who stand in solidarity with immigrants and their families, contributing time, resources, and energy to defend against unjust deportation and detention. We have pledged to support our immigrant community by offering physical sanctuary, emotional support and accompaniment, and unceasing advocacy until we achieve justice for all.
The NC Sanctuary Movement is currently:
- Advocating for the six people in Sanctuary around North Carolina so they may return to their families and homes.
- Offering our many resources and best practices of sanctuary to current sanctuary congregations and those interested in offering sanctuary or supporting sanctuary congregations.
- Supporting immigrant-led organizations who know their community best.
- Recruiting many more churches to become a part of this movement by guiding them through the discernment process to become a sanctuary or support sanctuary congregations.
- Staying updated and educated on the ever-changing state of immigration legislation.
If you, your faith community, or your organization feel led to join this movement, sign our statement and then share it so that we all can be part of this vital work. Once we renew and instill our minds with the will of God, our hearts will follow and be transformed, compelling the need for action to defend our immigrants until we achieve comprehensive immigration reform and justice for all.
John Hancock says
June 4, 2018 at 2:19 pmI really admire the work you are trying to do. I hate it when I see some of what goes on concerning immigration and the people affected. But at the same time, I do have large a part of me that wants to make sure that actual criminals are not allowed into our country. Countries take advantage of our generosity and policies and make sure they send their worse of the worst to us. It has been documented and proven. I want safety for our citizens especially our children. I am open to anyone coming to the United States LEGALLY. If you want to live here, learn the language and take the steps laid out on a path to Citizenship. I am observing first hand at the turmoil in Europe due to MASS immigration: Rape, murder and violent crime up 500% sinee the open border policy in England, France and Germany. God does not want this and we as diciples of Christ must do whatever is necessary to make sure it does not happen. And while we do this, are innocent people going to have to suffer at times? Unfortunely yes.