The central question in the debate on immigration reform is not about economics or politics, Hispanic Baptist leaders said June 23.
“The basic issue is whether Jesus still has a mission to the poor,” Albert Reyes, president of Baptist University of the Americas, explained as he introduced a document titled “Proclamation for Immigration Reform” at a solemn assembly held during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly.
Hispanics are called to a prophetic role on immigration reform, Reyes told about 80 participants: “Our role is not to make law; we are not legislators. But we are called to encourage those who do make the laws to take a Jesus-type of action.”
The solemn assembly included several public prayers. Then the participants expanded the observance from its original location to encircle the entire crowded exhibit hall, which fell silent after it was announced over the public address system.
The National Convocation of Hispanic Baptist Leaders also focused on the 1-year-old convocation's purpose — “to create a national network of Hispanic Baptist leaders who work together to provide leadership, encourage ministry and share strategies for Christian impact.”
The one-page immigration proclamation opens by noting, “Our beloved United States of America, a nation of immigrants, is in the midst of the most dramatic immigration policy reform in the 21st century.”
It affirms reforms championed by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and others that urge “more responsive legal avenues for workers and their families to enter our country and work, the option … to apply for permanent legal status and citizenship, and border-protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values.”
The document also cites a Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas resolution encouraging “proactive involvement of ministry activity among immigrants, documented and undocumented, through prayer and action.”
Jesus “placed the poor and the oppressed at the center of his mission on earth,” the document notes. Congress should “pass just and compassionate legislation that addresses stronger border security, respect for the law, and a process for citizenship with regard to U.S. undocumented immigrants,” it adds.
“We are not gathered for this solemn assembly as Democrats or Republicans — or even primarily as Americans,” said Daniel Vestal, national coordinator of the CBF. “We are assembled as followers of Christ. This issue is not an either/or choice between secure borders or just pathways to citizenship. I believe the solution can be both/and‚ and it is in that spirit that we pray for God to work in our midst.”
The issue reaches beyond the borders of the United States, stressed Javier Elizondo, vice president of academic affairs at Baptist University of the Americas. “When we pray, we should also pray for the governments of Mexico and Guatemala and Chile — whichever countries the undocumented come from,” he urged.
Changes made by two countries, Argentina and Brazil, illustrate the international scope of the U.S. immigration-reform movement, Elizondo reported. “Argentina rewrote its laws to insist that immigrants be treated with respect for their God-given rights, and Brazil examined the way the undocumented are treated and changed the law to guarantee they be treated with dignity.”
Focusing on the National Convocation of Hispanic Baptist Leaders' purpose statement, Reyes reported that it embraces seven goals, listed below:
• “Help Hispanics of all ages excel in their education by completing high school or obtaining a GED [high-school equivalency certificate], and graduating from college.”
“This needs to be a national focus,” Reyes insisted, noting the national Hispanic school dropout rate is 30 percent to 40 percent.
Although Hispanic Baptists can't prevent all young people from dropping out of school, “we can concentrate on the youth in our churches and promote higher education,” he said.
The church is the strongest “stabilizing factor” in Hispanic communities, and pastors are the key leaders, Reyes added. “We need to focus on educating our pastors, because he is the stablizing force to be passionate about preventing dropouts. It is not a sin that we let them drop out, but it's very close.”
• “Support Hispanic Baptists who desire to pursue graduate studies and earn doctoral degrees.”
Over time, many Hispanic Baptist leadership positions will become vacant, he said, calling for convocation members to locate doctoral candidates and other potential leaders.
• “Assist in training leaders for Christian ministry among the Hispanic community.”
“In February 2003, Hispanics became the largest ethnic minority in the United States,” Reyes said, noting Hispanics will comprise a majority in Texas by 2015. Those statistics illustrate the need for leaders to start and guide churches.
• “Encourage Hispanic congregations in the U.S. to start churches, evangelize the lost and participate in global missions.”
“We need to start churches all over the country,” he urged fellow Hispanics. “The days are gone that we see ourselves as a mission field. We are a mission force.”
The CBF has launched a church-planting partnership with Hispanic Baptists. Hispanic groups recently have ministered in countries as diverse as Laos, Spain and India, he said, noting Hispanics are the Christians most likely to evangelize Muslims.
• “Affirm ministry leadership among Hispanic Baptist women and youth. “We have not taken advantage of feminine leadership,” he said. “We can't wait. The needs are vast.”
• “Connect Hispanic church leaders to Spanish Bible study and discipleship resources.”
• “Promote Hispanic cultural awareness among Baptist churches in the United States.”
“We find ourselves in a global, multicultural context,” Reyes said. “People from all over the world are right here in our communities. We need cross-cultural understanding.”