By Dr. Harry Kelm
Executive Director of the North American Baptist Conference
In the mid-1800s, approximately 2.5 million German speakers immigrated to North America. Among these were followers of Jesus who began the North American Baptist Conference. The NAB is a conference of churches that was founded by immigrants and was originally and primarily comprised of immigrants. Over the next 100 to 125 years, there came various waves of German-speaking immigrants seeking to start a new life, in a new country, bringing with them their hopes and dreams. They came with a belief that God was leading and directing them. This was the story of my mom and dad, who came to the United States as a part of one of these waves of immigrants.
The issues of immigration are complex and carry the potential to be divisive. The key is to focus not on policy but on our hearts and actions towards the people God has all around us.
As members of the churches that are the North American Baptist Conference, we are first and foremost a people of God; this is how 1 Peter 2:9–10 refers to the disciples and followers of Jesus. It also describes us as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. Though we might call Canada and the United States home for now, as disciples of Jesus, we belong to the Kingdom of God. In fact, because we are citizens of heaven, according to Ephesians 2:19, we live on this Earth as those who are aliens and sojourners. The NAB Conference includes many churches where immigrants have found a place of connection and where a saving faith in Jesus is found and encouraged to grow. These churches have worship services in languages from around the world. Many of these NAB churches are ministering to immigrant families that are struggling because they no longer feel welcome in the nations to which they have come for refuge and a new beginning.
Who we are as people of faith in God – especially as people of the NAB – must shape our view of those who are immigrants all around us. It should compel us to a just, merciful, and humble recognition of God’s love for all people, especially those who are new to the country in which we live. I believe most immigrants are like my mom and dad – wanting to make a new life, to become a part of the country to which they have entered.
The Scriptures are full of verses that refer to the foreigner. In the Old Testament, God’s people were reminded that they too were foreigners in Egypt and other lands. The word most used in the Old Testament in this regard meant stranger, foreigner, or sojourner; it referred to someone who was not part of the prevailing nation or community. God’s people were to treat those from other places – those who were foreigners and exiles – with hospitality, grace, and generosity. This theme extends into the New Testament, where it is also used to refer to non-Jews found in the Christian Jewish community.
Many of the immigrants to Canada and the United States are our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Here, too, we are to love and seek God’s best for those who are family in Jesus.
I would humbly ask the NAB to pray for our nations and for those who are coming into Canada and the United States. I would remind us of the grace, mercy, and compassion of God toward us. Regardless of politics or ideology, I would call us to a posture of love and compassion towards the foreigner and immigrant of whatever kind. May God be honored and glorified by who we are in him.
