Recommended Reading
Welcome the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate
by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang
Immigration is one of the most complicated issues of our time. Voices on all sides argue strongly for action and change. Christians find themselves torn between the desire to uphold laws and the call to minister to the vulnerable.
In this book World Relief staffers Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang move beyond the rhetoric to offer a Christian response to immigration. They put a human face on the issue and tell stories of immigrants’ experiences in and out of the system. With careful historical understanding and thoughtful policy analysis, they debunk myths and misconceptions about immigration and show the limitations of the current immigration system. Ultimately they point toward immigration reform that is compassionate, sensible and just, as they offer concrete ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals
1. The Immigration Dilemma
2. "Aliens Among You": Who Are Undocumented Immigrants?
3. Nation of Immigrants: A Historical Perspective on Immigration to the United States
4. Immigrating the Legal Way: Our Immigration System Today
5. Thinking Biblically About Immigration
6. Concerns About Immigration
7. The Value of Immigration to the United States
8. The Politics and Policies of Immigration Reform
9. The Church and Immigration Today
10. A Christian Response to the Immigration Dilemma
Appendix 1: World Relief Statement in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Appendix 2: Discussion Questions
Appendix 3: Ministries and Organizations Serving Immigrants and Refugees in the United States
Appendix 4: Ministries and Organizations Addressing the Root Causes of Immigration
Appendix 5: Selected Resources for Learning More About the Immigration Issue
Appendix 6: Tools for Political Advocacy
Features and Benefits
- Debunks myths and misconceptions about immigration
- Explains current immigration policy and systems, at both the local and federal levels
- Provides biblical and historical perspectives
- Written by experts who have day-to-day experience in ministry and advocacy for immigrants and immigration
Published by InterVaristy Press and now available from Amazon.com or InterVarsity Press. You can also search for "Welcoming the Stranger" on Facebook.com to become a fan of the book. Please also see http://www.welcomingthestranger.com/
Christians at the Border
by M. Daniel Carroll
"Is God bringing millions of Hispanics (and other ethnics) to the United States to revitalize the Christian churches here and to present to those who do not yet believe the opportunity to turn to Christ in their search for a new life?"
In a time when immigration fear is gripping America, Evangelicals need to have an answer that is more than an echo of the media chorus. Carroll does a good job of giving a Biblical perspective and taking on the key questions of how Hispanic immigration challenges our stand on the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Not all will agree with everything he says, but this book helps us set the stage for a good robust dialogue about the isssue that is grounded in Scripture.
—Alex Mandes, director of Hispanic Ministries
Order from NextStep Resources.
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America
by Juan Gonzalez
Recent attention to the significant influx of migrants from Latin America has made Americans aware of the influence Latinos have on our culture. But the history of Latinos in America, which spans over 500 years, is still a topic few Americans seem to understand or even care about. Gonzalez provides an integrated historical look at both Latin America and Latinos in the U.S. and how both contributed to and were affected by the development of American ideals and American reality.
The EFCA has some lessons to learn as it ministers to the Hispanic communities here in the U. S. This text is an excellent resource for helping your church understand the history and heritage of Latinos on our doorstep.
—Steve Hudson, director of Leadership Development
