Preview Meeting June 5

If immigration reform passes, we see an opportunity for churches to serve more than 85,000 immigrants in Minnesota who will be needing accurate, low-cost legal services to comply with the new provisions.

On Wednesday, June 5 (9-11am), we invite church leaders and immigrant advocates to a preview meeting to learn about specific ways that congregations can provide low-cost legal services and information to these thousands of immigrants in Minnesota.

The preview meeting is being hosted by the Immigrant Hope Coalition, which is a collaborative effort of leaders and pastors from Transform Minnesota, Immigrant Hope Network, World Relief Minnesota, CCDA, Assemblies of God, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Evangelical Free Church of America, Great Commission Churches and the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference.

Click here to learn more about Immigrant Hope

Immigrant Hope Coalition Preview Meeting

Wednesday, June 5, 9 – 11 am
Christ’s Church International
13th & Lake Street (3015 – 13th Ave So) See Map Here
Minneapolis, MN 55407

About Immigrant Legal Service Centers (ILSC)

Learn more at www.immigranthope.org

Across the country, churches and faith-based organizations, have set up accredited, low-cost legal service centers to provide basic services and vital information to help immigrants understand processes and to file their applications with the US Customs & Immigration Services.

Immigrants in your community need these services.

When navigating immigration laws and forms, oftentimes immigrants are taken advantage of, or do not have the money to pay attorney’s fees. These ILSC do not replace the role of attorneys, rather they help give immigrants correct information and assistance to file certain types of applications, from someone who has been accredited to do so.

It is very feasible for a church – or ideally a coalition of churches – to get trained, become accredited and set up an immigrant legal service center. The US Department of Justice has created a process whereby individuals can complete 40 hours of training, gain experience at an existing service center, and then apply to become accredited to provide basic immigration legal services under the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the US DOJ branch responsible for overseeing immigration law.

What to Expect June 5

The preview meeting on June 5 will explain the steps in this process, including information about formal training being offered in the Twin Cities in November 2013, information about operating an ILSC with proper accreditation and technical support, and a description of the kinds of services typically provided to immigrants by an ILSC.

The meeting is free, and no registration is required – but we would appreciate to know in advance who is coming. If you plan to attend click here to fill in this simple “sign up” list so that we can plan accordingly: Sign up here.

Questions?

Contact either:
Alex Mandes – Immigrant Hope | Alex.Mandes@efca.org
Carl Nelson – Transform Minnesota |  Carl@transformmn.org | 612-243-2941

 Learn more about Immigrant Hope, a national organization providing legal, technical and organizational support for local church-based immigrant legal service centers.

A message from Transform Minnesota president, Carl Nelson

Today is the day.

The Minnesota House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. Transform Minnesota has always held the position that marriage is a gift from God and is the life-long union of a man and a woman.

First, pray with us today that the Holy Spirit would intervene in the hearts of legislators so that this bill would not pass.

Second, if you are able, go to the Capitol and pray with other Christians who will be praying and singing on the Capitol steps (beginning at 8 am today). (Click here for more details)

Finally, I want to thank members of our own board of directors who have mobilized other pastors in the past few weeks to sign letters, attend press conferences and speak out in support of Biblical marriage.

Latino pastors on Transform Minnesota’s board of directors mobilized other Latino leaders and congregants to support marriage at a State Capitol press conference Monday.

Pastors Sergio Amezcua and Herman Colon, members of our board, rallied more than a dozen other Latino pastors to a last-minute press conference held at the State Capitol on Monday at which Minnesota for Marriage called attention to the religious freedoms that would be lost if this bill passes. Joining their pastors were dozens and dozens of Latino Christians who took time off work or missed school in order to stand in support of marriage.

Vice-chairman of our board, Rev. Richard Coleman spoke at the press conference, specifically on behalf of African American clergy, condemning attempts by LGBT activists to compare gay rights to the struggle for civil rights by African Americans. “Americans of African descent were brought to the country as slaves and treated as property,” he said. Being Black is “not a matter of preference or proclivity” and that a majority of African Americans resent the attempt to compare same-sex marriage rights to civil rights that African Americans suffered so long to attain. (Coverage by Star Tribune).

Regardless of the outcome of today’s vote its clear that as evangelical leaders we need to help each other learn how to communicate God’s truth about relationships and our human sexuality to a culture that has lost sight of God’s beautiful vision for human relationships.

As Pastor Tim Keller recently said, evangelicals see sex “not as a consumer good but a form of self-donation” and believe that “male and female have unique glories.” The truth is, I believe, that we need to help Christians recover this vision of what God designed sexual intimacy to be, and gain a new appreciation of how men and women each reflect a unique aspect of the image of God.

While Transform Minnesota seeks to be a united voice for evangelicals, our primary focus is on providing opportunities for evangelical pastors and leaders to connect with each other, learn from one another and collaborate together to extend the Gospel of Jesus and his kingdom throughout Minnesota.

Pastor Rob Ketterling of River Valley church provided good perspective when he said last October, “our hope is not in the vote, but we get to vote.” As Christians our ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ, and we work to spread his Gospel everywhere, but we also have the privilege to live in a democracy where we can contribute our Biblical values for the sake of the common good.

So join me in prayer today, go to the Capitol if you are able, and continue to place your ultimate hope in Jesus Christ and find joy in His Gospel everywhere.

Carl Nelson
President, Transform Minnesota: the evangelical network

Come to the State Capitol Today, May 9 for Prayer and to make Your Voice Heard.

Join us on the West steps of the State Capitol in St. Paul from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Then, join us on the South steps and the Upper Mall of the Capitol from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The actual vote could take place at any time or maybe through our efforts – NOT AT ALL!

The Capitol doors open at 8:00 a.m.  Capacity is limited to 2000 people.  Admittance is first come, first served.  Come early if you wish to be inside the Capitol for the vote.   

1. Cathedral of St. Paul at the corner of Selby and Summit Avenues.  A bus will depart from the Cathedral on the hour and half hour (e.g. 8 and 8:30), and from the Capitol to the Cathedral at fifteen past and a quarter too every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Parking at the Cathedral is available in the Cathedral lot and on the surrounding streets.  Should you miss the bus, the Cathedral is a short walk from the Capitol.
2. Living Word Church, 640 N. Prior Ave., St. Paul.   A bus will depart from the church on the hour, and from the Capitol back to Living Word on the half hour from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Different cultures, different mindsets and different values mean new perspectives and wisdom. 

Are you straight to the point, efficient and always on time?  Do you circle an issue, eventually

Church leaders discuss steps to understanding and adapting to another culture.

hinting at the problem?  Do you see building relationships as more important than accomplishing a task? 

These different perspectives and values are tied to our culture and can clash and cause conflict when combined.

As church leaders, how do you deal with these competing ways of thinking and behaving? 

In Transform Minnesota’s most recent Multicultural Church Leadership Cohort, over thirty church leaders gathered to discuss and practice handling this.  These church leaders have been meeting for more than year, learning from and supporting each other on the road to building a multicultural, God-glorifying church.

Naomi Ludeman Smith, professor at Bethel University gave a hands-on workshop, developing church leaders’ skills to adapt and shift into another culture’s mindset. 

Stepping into another culture’s mindset can help us relate to and learn from our differences.  Our differences can give us new perspectives, new wisdom and reinforced unity in Christ. 

Lessons from Ludeman Smith’s workshop

•   Recognizing and acknowledging the differences between us is the first step to being able to step into another culture’s outlook.  We should not ignore differences or assume our way is right. 

•   Learn another culture.  This will take time, empathy and the willingness to be uncomfortable.  It will take all five of your senses and going beyond actions to the beliefs and values that drive them. 

• Our differences are not problems we have to overcome, but are assets helping us overcome issues.  Together we can create something new through diversity of perspectives and values. 

• God has created this world full of different peoples and cultures.  Let us not say one is better than another, but seek to build unity and harmony around our Lord Jesus Christ.  Lean on God when it is hard and uncomfortable.

If you are interested in learning more about adapting and shifting into another culture’s mindset or would like to receive training in developing intercultural competency, please contact Naomi Ludeman Smith. 

Naomi Ludeman Smith, DMin

Naomi Ludeman Smith

Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies |Director of First-Year Program
Anthropology, Sociology & Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University, College of Arts & Sciences
St. Paul, Minnesota  U.S.A.
(O) +1.651.638.6464
(C) +1.651.528.9105

n-smith@bethel.edu

Below is the press release accompanying the letter’s release. The statement can be read here.

The Superintendents and Executive Ministers of Minnesota’s largest evangelical denominations and Transform Minnesota joined the leaders of Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist faith leaders  today urging Minnesota’s legislators to safeguard marriage and religious freedom.

This statement brings together the broadest coalition of Christian denominational leaders to-date seeking to safeguard marriage and religious freedom.

Transform Minnesota is a signatory to the statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           Contact: Autumn Leva
April 18, 2013                                                                 (612) 212-0420

Interfaith Religious Leaders Send Letter Urging Legislators to Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Bill

 Religious leaders affirm natural marriage as a foundational social institution rooted in the complementarity of the sexes and reject claims that the same-sex “marriage” bill adequately protects religious liberty and rights of conscience

Religious leaders representing hundreds of faith communities in Minnesota—parishes, congregations, churches and Friday prayer locations, and Masjids—have signed a letter sent to Minnesota lawmakers, urging them to safeguard both marriage and religious freedom by rejecting any legislative efforts to redefine marriage

The faith leaders note that traditional marriage “is the natural order, embracing the complementary physical, emotional and spiritual design of men and women.”

“This letter affirms that marriage is not the property of any particular religion or viewpoint,” said Jason Adkins, vice chairman of Minnesota for Marriage and executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference. “Marriage between a man and a woman is a basic good woven into the very fabric of society, the importance of which is acknowledged by diverse religious communities who have attached to it enormous spiritual and theological significance. The state does not have the power to redefine marriage.”

Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy, president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Minnesota South District spoke for the Christian signers when he said: “Defining marriage is God’s prerogative, not ours. God has clearly defined marriage for us in the Bible as a commitment between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). This is one of the primary ways by which God orders and preserves creation, given out of love and wisdom. As such, the definition of marriage is a matter of truth, not rights; faithfulness, not entitlement.

“This is not the pointing finger of judgment or prejudice,” Nadasdy continued. “It is the humble acceptance of God’s will, the compassionate desire to seek the highest good for oneself and others, and the refusal to re-create God in our own image.”

The signers warn that simply not being forced to  “solemnize” same-sex marriages does nothing to protect religious freedom as guaranteed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 16 of the Minnesota Constitution. The proposed legislation falls far short of protecting the rights of ministries, non-profits, businesses, and individuals to freely exercise their religious beliefs and abide their consciences.

“If marriage is redefined in civil law, individuals and religious organizations – regardless of deeply held beliefs – will be compelled to treat same-sex unions as the equivalent of marriage in their lives, ministries and operations,” they write.

Proponents of H.F. 1054/S.F. 925 have claimed that their bill adequately protects religious liberty and that acts they consider discriminatory are already prohibited by the Minnesota Human Rights Act. This is false. As many legal scholars on both sides of the debate have noted, marriage redefinition will create a flood of new claims. Acts once considered non-discriminatory based on the public policy of the state limiting marriage to a man and a woman, will now be considered discriminatory if this legislation passes.

The relationship between the bills and the Minnesota Human Rights Act is made clear by the fact that H.F. 1054/S.F. 925 themselves modify the Human Rights Act. The bill authors have repeatedly admitted that their accommodations for religious liberty do not extend to private individuals, businesses, and non-church-affiliated organizations.

“Making accommodations for clergy, buildings, and church institutions protects only one aspect of religious liberty,” said Carl Nelson, president of Transform Minnesota, a network of over 200 evangelical churches and ministries. “The beliefs and values of the people in the pews, who have to live out their convictions and beliefs in everyday life, should also matter. This state cannot and should not label as bigots and outlaws those who simply believe what practically every civilization has always believed about marriage.  Sadly, that will be the result of current legislation to redefine marriage.”

All 201 state legislators and the Governor will receive a copy of the letter personally addressed to him/her. Read the entire letter here.

The signers of the letter span across faith traditions. They include Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders, and a diversity of Christian communities, including the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Catholic Church, the Church of God in Christ, the Orthodox Church, the Assemblies of God, the Missionary Baptists, the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as individual pastors from some of Minnesota’s largest church congregations. They are Caucasian, Latino, African-American, and Southeast Asian.

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Minnesota also sent a letter to legislators this week urging them to maintain the current definition of marriage in Minnesota law.

Church leaders from a variety of congregations listen to Curtiss DeYoung talk about lessons from the first century Christian church that can be applied now to modern multicultural churches

Church leaders from 22 Twin City churches spent the morning finding out at Transform Minnesota’s Multicultural Church Leadership Cohort.  These leaders have been meeting for a little over a year, learning from each other and national and local leaders on how to build a church that reflects the diversity of the heavenly Church.

Curtiss DeYoung, professor at Bethel University, unpacked lessons from the first century Christian church that can be applied to modern day multicultural churches.

The first century Christian church was the first multicultural church, bringing colonized Jews and the ruling Roman class together worshiping a crucified Jew.  Imagine the hostilities and barriers that had to be reconciled to bring community in these churches. Read more by DeYoung on this topic.

Lessons from the first century Christian church:

•  Switch your identity from whatever racial or cultural trait to identity in Christ.  Christ is what brings us together.  Let us find unity and peace in His grace and sanctifying blood.

•  Churches need to become a place of healing and a home to those who are oppressed.  Too often multicultural churches are coming from the dominant culture’s perspective and are still catering to that dominant culture.  In the first century churches, the minority and oppressed people group was the one with authority in the churches.  Jews were leaders; Romans were not.

•  Exchange perspectives.  Take the time to understand where people different from you are coming from.  Prejudice and disharmony can be rooted in not taking the time to get to know people from a different culture or race.

•  As you seek to glorify God in a diverse, yet united church, remember to give each other grace.  It will be ugly and hard.  God’s grace covers your sin and those you are working with.

•  Do not try to do it alone.  The cohort is designed to give pastors support, training and connections to help them along the journey.  Come alongside each other; build each other up.  Other church leaders are going through similar struggles and can give you insight, encouragement and help.

You can learn more by reading this article titled “Practicing Biblical Reconciliation in Multicultural Congregations” by Curtiss DeYoung printed in the CCDA Theological Journal 2012.

The same-sex marriage bill and accompanying “supportive schools” bill currently in our legislature’s hands will silence and punish those who believe marriage is a between a man and a woman. Our freedom of religion and speech are at risk, as well as our professional and parental rights. For example, Christian facilities and businesses can be forced to host gay weddings; licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, and therapists risk losing their professional licenses for refusing services like marriage counseling to gay couples.

Most alarming, however, is the forced “training” both public and private grade school kids will endure on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. All schools, including private schools, will be forced by the government to actively “support” students’ sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please contact your legislator and tell them that a majority of Minnesotans still believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and to vote NO to legalizing same-sex marriage. Contact your MN Senator and MN House representative NOW (find your MN Reps by zip code).

Below is a document prepared by attorneys summarizing some of the ways that legalized same-sex marriage will affect your religious freedoms.

-Carl Nelson-

IMPACT OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LAWS

Bills are now before our state legislature to legalize same-sex marriage and make illegal any voiced opinion opposing it.  You may not think these bills will affect you, your family or your business.  To the contrary, like no other law in our state’s history, if these bills pass there will be a devastating impact on our culture, our churches, our personal and parental rights, our public and private educational systems, our professions, and even what we tweet and post on Facebook.   No Minnesotan will escape the consequences of this bill on their family or business.  The response of every individual receiving this communication is urgent and critical.

To understand the far reaching impact this bill will have in Minnesota, we need only look at its impact in the US and other countries where same-sex marriage has been legalized to see the systematic silencing and punishment of those who believe marriage is unique to one man and one woman.

Religious convictions do not protect Christians against government sanctions and civil judgments.

• Courts say religious freedom must yield to greater public value of homosexual rights. Read More, and More
• Christian facilities can’t ban same-sex union ceremonies on their property, Read More, or could lose their tax-exempt status for doing so, Read More, and public officials can’t refuse to perform same-sex marriages. Read More, and More
• Long standing Christian adoption and foster care agencies like Catholic Charities are required to place kids in same-sex homes or close doors, Read More, and More, and More, and More, and Christians are potentially “unfit” to adopt or foster children due to views on same-sex marriage. Read More

 Businesses and Professionals have been sued, fined, and lost licenses for opposing same-sex marriage

• Therapy grad student expelled for refusing “marriage therapy” to same-sex couples, Read More, and fertility doctors can’t refuse artificial insemination to lesbians. Read More
• Privately owned inns, B&B’s and farms are fined for not hosting same-sex ceremonies/receptions. Read More, and More, and More, and photographers can’t refuse to photograph same-sex marriages. Read More
• Mayors of Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Pittsburgh have said businesses opposed to same-sex marriage are not welcome in their cities, and may be blocked. Read More

Employees are fired, demoted, and docked pay for sharing their beliefs in their personal time

• Employees can be fired or demoted for tweeting or posting on Facebook opposition to gay marriage on their own time and on their own computers. Read more, and More, and More,
• Employees’ use of term “natural family” is harassment based on sexual orientation. Read More

Parents have no right to protect their children in school

• Parents have no right to notice of when pro-homosexual instruction takes place, Read More, and cannot opt kids out of pro-homosexual curriculum, Read More, and More.
• Children four years and up have mandatory training in homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender people. Read More, and More, and More, and More
• Kindergartners are encouraged to sign cards pledging to ally with gays, Read More, first graders take school field trip to teacher’s same-sex wedding, Read More, and students can’t make speeches opposing same-sex marriage in speech classes. Read More

 MN “Supportive School” bill (coming alongside gay marriage bill) applies to public AND PRIVATE schools

• Public AND PRIVATE schools must have “diversity” training on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Discrimination can include hurting a student’s feelings relating to sexual orientation or gender identity
• Tax payer funded “School Climate Center” will police schools’ compliance, including private schools
• Lawmakers refusing to send bill to finance committee to determine costs of programs to Minnesotans
• This bill makes illegal any school policy, speech or activity deemed “non-supportive” of students’ “sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression” (See especially Sec. 3, Subd. 3 of the bill).

 These bills will make those who believe marriage is between a man and woman the legal equivalent of bigots, and any “different” treatment of these “marriages” will be treated like racial discrimination.  In other words, when government treats gay unions the same as marriage, those who do not will be punished.  Terms like “equality” and “diversity” will be code for marginalizing Christian beliefs.  These bills will not just confer “marriage” rights to a small number of Minnesotans, they will strip the rights of the majority of Minnesotans in exchange.

 Passing the same-sex marriage bill will shift the focus of marriage from the needs of children to the desires of adults. It will erase the value of the distinct roles of father and mother (Read More), against the strong advise of medical and child development professionals (Read More, and More, and More), and even those who have been raised by same-sex parents (Read More).

Every major poll since the November election shows the majority of Minnesotans do not want gay marriage, but the decision is now in the hands of the legislatures.  Legislatures have said they are not hearing from constituents opposing gay marriage and the Supportive School bill.  Instead, they are being bombarded with high powered gay lobbying.  YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Contact your MN Senator and MN House representatives NOW and tell them you strongly oppose both the same-sex marriage bill and the Supportive School bill (find your MN Reps by zip code). Remind them they were voted into office to represent their constituents, the majority of whom do not want gay marriage.  Call and e-mail them every week if you can (office visits are most effective).  A call takes less than a minute.

DON’T BE SILENT!

]]> http://www.transformmn.org/2013/03/how-will-same-sex-marriage-affect-you/feed/ 0 http://www.transformmn.org/2013/03/update/ http://www.transformmn.org/2013/03/update/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:36:43 +0000 info@transformmn.org http://www.transformmn.org/?p=3229

A message from our President, Carl Nelson

120+ mission pastors and church leaders learning about combating human trafficking, even in Minnesota.

I’m excited to tell you about a few ways that Transform Minnesota is connecting evangelical leaders to bring the Gospel of Jesus to Minnesota, and I am writing to ask you to help us continue programs like these:

• Last Thursday 120+ church leaders met to learn how local churches and ministries are combating human trafficking in Minnesota. In January, 76 people from this same leadership network were together to learn about future trends in global missions.
• This week 50 pastors and leaders will spend a half day together learning how to make ministry & leadership structures work well in multi-ethnic congregations. This Leadership Cohort with pastors from 20 churches has been together for 18 months learning how to lead healthy multi-ethnic churches.
• On the National Day of Prayer, Transform Minnesota is helping PULSE Ministries and other partners gather people of all ages for a prayer & worship concert at Mariucci Arena on the U of M campus, led by The United Twin Cities Worship Band, made up of worship leaders from different churches.

Panel discussion on leadership in multi-ethnic congregations. One of the learning cohorts provided by Transform Minnesota.

Will you help Transform Minnesota raise $10,000 by the end of March? This will support programs that empower leaders, connect pastors and mobilize evangelicals to proclaim the Gospel!

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to continue these programs. That may seem like a lot to you. But if everyone who got this email gave $25 we would meet this goal!

Click here to take the March Challenge! We’ve made it easy to respond right now by giving online right here: (Choose “Give Now” and select “March 2013 $10,000 Challenge” under fund options).

If you prefer to send a check mail it to our address listed below.

Transform Minnesota is an evangelical network that connects hundreds of churches and thousands of Christians around a common mission of extending the Gospel of Jesus and his kingdom throughout Minnesota.

Will you join the mission? $25 will make a difference.

Thank You!

Carl Nelson, President | Transform Minnesota | www.transformmn.org
carl@transformmn.org | 612-243-2941 (office) | www.facebook.com/transformmn

Make checks payable and send to:
“Transform Minnesota” 1515 East 66th Street, Richfield, MN 55423

Transform Minnesota is a Member of:
•    ECFA www.ecfa.org
•    National Association of Evangelicals www.nae.net

Mission Pastors and church leaders learning how to combat human trafficking in Minnesota

Fighting for freedom: Faith-based ministries & churches combating human trafficking in Minnesota

Minnesota is in the top 13 states in the U.S. for minors being recruited for prostitution, according to the FBI.  Young girls are being recruited at bus stops, malls, schools, even church youth groups.  It happens in our own neighborhoods, whether city or suburb.  Between pimps, drugs to numb the pain, potential legal consequences and lack of options, it is almost impossible to escape the sex trade.  But there is hope and there is something you can do to help.

Representatives from four different anti-human trafficking ministries presented to 120 church leaders at Transform Minnesota’s TCAMP meeting March 14, 2013.  They shared the issues, God’s grace, and what we all can do to make a difference.  Here are a few takeaways:

• Get educated and spread the word. We can prevent more girls and women being forced into it and help the women already trapped.  Don’t be passive.  Take an active stance against sex trafficking.  Report things that are suspicious.  Stand up to men who are disrespecting women.
• Housing is the number one barrier to escaping the sex trade.  Housing ministries need help with property maintenance and donations for the house.
• These women need job skills and opportunities. No one becomes a prostitute by choice.  Something forces these women into it or keeps them there.  And a big force is poverty.  Ministries are offering job skill trainings, which you can help out with.  If you are a small business owner or know one, is there an opportunity for offering employment to a woman?
• The emotional baggage that results from the torture these women experience is not easy to overcome.  They need people in their lives who show that them love, faithfulness and dependability.  Volunteer counselors are needed to help these women process through what they have been through.  Churches can sponsor counseling sessions.

Leaders from Breaking Free, MATTOO, City Hill Fellowship and Free Set discussing how to combat human trafficking

You can find more resources, statistics and ways to get involved at these website below:

Breaking Free

Coalition Against the Trafficking of WOMEN (CATW)

Courtney’s House

Finding Freedom International

Freedom Initiatives

HAGAR International

International Justice Mission (IJM)

Julian Sher

Love 146

MATTOO

Mission 21

Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center

Additional Resource Page

Fighting For Freedom PPT Presentation March 14, 2013

Carl Nelson, President of Transform Minnesota

[Originally posted in June 2010, re-posted January 2013]

There are two important reasons why evangelicals should support immigration reform.

Our current system is weakening immediate family units and the wide use of undocumented immigrants in certain industries results in their exploitation and unjust economic gains for others.

I know that many evangelicals have not always been sympathetic to these issues and have instead advocated for strong anti-immigrant policies. For many years I was one of them. But as I have studied the Biblical history of migration (forced and voluntary) and scriptural mandates regarding the foreign born and justice for the vulnerable, together with the value of strengthening families and protecting the sanctity and dignity of human life, I have changed my views.

Undocumented workers, the rule of law and economic justice

To be sure, America has a problem of undocumented immigrants – most of them workers. Estimates range from 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants, and groups like the Pew Research Center report that more than 96% are employed in our economy.

It is widely understood that the major attraction drawing undocumented immigrants to the US is jobs, and that they represent a significant portion of the labor pool in certain low-wage industries: domestic household service (21%), food manufacturing and agricultural production (14% and 13% respectively) furniture manufacturing (13%) and construction and textile production (12% each). (Impact of Undocumented Workers, The Perryman Group, 2008) (link to PDF).

Many Christians claim the Biblical injunction to obey the rule of law and opine that because undocumented immigrants are law-breakers they should be summarily rounded up and deported. It is true that entering the US and obtaining a job illegally is breaking the law, and Christians should not condone unlawful behavior. However, we are placing the blame solely on the immigrant, when we must also hold accountable their employers who often knowingly accept falsified documents or improperly hire undocumented immigrants – and usually make healthy profits from their labors. We must also hold our whole economic system – and nearly all of us individually – accountable as well, because while we may grumble about illegal immigration on one hand we are simultaneously benefiting from low-cost fresh food and other agricultural products, affordable – and ever larger – new housing construction and the furniture to go in it, and for some people the luxury of having domestic servants in their households or vacation spots.

The Bible speaks often, and clearly, about paying a worker his fair wages, not taking advantage of the vulnerable or oppressed, and treating the foreign born fairly. Undocumented workers are often paid less than minimum wage, harassed, and forced to live in the shadows. Meanwhile you and I, and the US economy, benefit greatly from them.

So one of the aims of immigration reform needs to be a workable system to provide an adequate number of worker visas each year to meet US labor demands, and a system that ensures these workers are not taken advantage of unfairly.

Family unity

I place a high priority on healthy families as a basic building block of society. Loving, intact, nuclear families are God’s best design for nurturing and rearing children and passing on strong societies from one generation  to the next.
Throughout America’s history many immigrant families have sacrificed and endured long separation in order to move to this country, or provide an income for their families back home.

Today many immigrant families are faced with two difficult choices; either remain separated from spouses and young children for years waiting “in line” for their immigrant visa, or live in the US as an intact family, but in the shadows, knowing they do so illegally and always worrying that they could be caught and deported.
One of the current debates is what to do with millions of undocumented adult immigrants who now have US Citizen Children. The adults are subject to deportation, but most experts agree that these parents would rather be separated from their children and leave them in the care of someone else and give them hope for a future in American, than to take them back to live in poverty in their home countries.

The long term affects of such a policy would be devastating to American society. It would further weaken the deteriorating family structure in the US. So another parameter of immigration reform needs to be that any solution needs to protect the unity of the immediate family.

I admit that these parameters to do not make for easy solutions. Our economic engine is fueled by millions of immigrant workers. We want to support strong families, but removing millions of undocumented immigrants take away one or both parents from up to 4 million US citizen children. That is the reason why Christians should actively participate in this discussion. We need to openly discuss differing solutions, listen to and understand each others objections, and set aside the political one-ups-man-ship that gets in the way of workable solutions.

Last month a group of 13 prominent conservative evangelical leaders issued a proclamation calling for immigration reform that would among other things:
•    Respect the God-given dignity of every person
•    Protect the unity of the immediate family
•    Respect the rule of law
•    Guarantee secure national borders
•    Ensure fairness to taxpayers
•    Establish a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents

I would encourage readers to learn more ideas for immigration reform that reflects these Biblical values at www.nae.net and read the National Association of Evangelicals “Resolution on Immigration” adopted in October 2009.