It's about Friendship

“Say you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself – from there, all you do is just go have some coffee.” – Jason Estopinal

Just outside of Los Angeles, World Relief receives and resettles refugees from around the world. Churches and volunteers come alongside new arrivals and help them adjust to American culture. However, the relationships often move beyond conversation over coffee into something deeper.

“My life is being affected,” shares Jason, one volunteer at the Garden Grove office,  “Now I look around and my world’s a little bit less one-dimensional.”




We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

The moment to fix our broken immigration system has arrived

On April 17th, a unified evangelical voice will echo through the halls of Congress proclaiming a biblical vision for immigration reform that respects the rule of law, reunites families and upholds human dignity.

Join us on Wednesday April 17th in Washington, D.C. for the Evangelical Day of Prayer and Action for Immigration Reform.

Click here to register.

We have confirmed the following speakers:

• Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church
• Dr. David Uth, First Baptist Church Orlando
• Dr. David Anderson, Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, MD
• Lee de Leon, Templo Calvario in Orange County, CA
• Stephan Bauman, World Relief
• Rev. David Beckman, Bread for the World
• Rev. Sam Rodriguez, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
• Rev. Gabriel Salguero, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
• Sandra Van Opstal will lead worship

Schedule:

• 11am-Noon: Worship at the Church of the Reformation
• Noon-6pm: Meetings with legislators
• 6pm-8pm: Worship at the Church of the Reformation

Over the past two years, evangelical groups have played an increasingly prominent role advocating for compassionate and just immigration policies. Last June, we launched the Evangelical Immigration Table to coordinate our efforts and over 150 leading pastors, denominational heads, and thought leaders signed the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform. Following last November’s election, we penned open letters to the President and congressional leadership calling for action in the first 92 days of this Congress. Their time is almost up.

Responding to the “I Was A Stranger…” Challenge, thousands of people in churches throughout the country are reading 40 Bible verses related to immigrants and immigration over 40 days. We believe that God’s Word speaks powerfully to all who will pay attention.  We are asking our elected leaders in Washington to take the Challenge themselves and to listen to their constituents who are taking it.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to come to the Capitol, this is it. April 17th will fall at a critical juncture in the process of enacting meaningful legislation. We believe that God could use your presence in Washington to help our nation reestablish a just and compassionate immigration system.

Sincerely,
The Evangelical Immigration Table 

From World Relief's Advocacy staff and the Evangelical Immigration Table

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute 2013

Registration is now open for IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute 2013: Fullerton!

IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute is a 40-hour introductory immigration law class offered in collaboration by Immigrant Hope and World Relief.  Class sessions will be taught by experienced immigration attorneys and practitioners and will touch on every area of immigration law.

This class should provide attendees with foundation for understanding the immigration system, and can serve as the first step toward earning Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Accreditation, the government certification that allows non-attorneys to practice immigration law.  IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute is an invaluable tool for those who are called to serve the under-resourced immigrants in their community.

Click here* to register.  Registration will be open March 7, 2013 to May 31, 2013.

IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute Information

Where: First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, CA

When: June 17-21, 2013

Cost: Registration, $495, ILRC Curriculum, $190, Total, $685

Lunch included with registration.

Travel, lodging, and other meals are not included.

Click here** for more information.

Please leave a message as a comment below with any questions.

*Or visit http://www.regonline.com/immigrantpathwayinstitute2013

**Or visit http://immigranthope.org/ipi

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Lent Day 13, "I Was A Stranger" Challenge

¹⁴ “Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns. 
Deuteronomy 24:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ “तिमीहरूले ज्यालामा ल्याएको नोकर जो गरीब र संकष्टमा छ, उसलाई ठग्नु हुँदैन। त्यो नोकर इस्राएली होस् अथवा तिमीहरूकै कुनै शहरमा बस्ने एक विदेशी, एक जना यसमा कुनै फरक पर्दैन।

व्यवस्था 24:14

Nepali Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-NE)

Join the 40 Day "I Was A Stranger" Challenge.  

^{I Was A Stranger from G92 on Vimeo.} 

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Lent Day 12, "I Was A Stranger" Challenge

 

¹⁸ He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. ¹⁹ So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

  

Deuteronomy 10:18-19

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Join the 40 Day "I Was A Stranger" Challenge. 

^{I Was A Stranger from G92 on Vimeo.}

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Lent Day 11, "I Was A Stranger" Challenge

¹⁶ “At that time I instructed the judges, ‘You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions ¹⁷ and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don’t be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.’

Deuteronomy 1:16-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

Join the 40 Day "I Was A Stranger" Challenge. 


We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Lent Day Ten, "I Was A Stranger" Challenge

 

^15-16 There should be no difference throughout the community in this matter—Israelite or not—forever. You and the foreigner dwelling with you are the same, as I see it, so you all should follow the same rules and regulations.”

  

Numbers 15:15-16

The Voice (VOICE)

¹⁵ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਲਈ ਇੱਕੋ ਜਿਹੀਆਂ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਹੋਣਗੀਆਂ-ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਵਿਦੇਸ਼ੀਆ ਲਈ ਵੀ। ਇਹ ਬਿਧੀ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਜਾਰੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ। ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਵਿੱਚਕਾਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕ ਯਹੋਵਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਇੱਕੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਹੋਣਗੇ। ¹⁶ ਇਸਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੱਲਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਹੀ ਬਿਧੀਆਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਇਸਰਾਏਲ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਅਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਵਿੱਚਕਾਰ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਰਨਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਹਨ।”

ਗਿਣਤੀ 15:15-16

Punjabi Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-PA)

¹⁵ Từ nay về sau, luật lệ áp dụng cho các ngươi và người ngoại quốc đều giống nhau; trước mặt CHÚA các ngươi và người ngoại quốc đều như nhau. ¹⁶ Những điều giáo huấn và qui tắc cho các ngươi và người ngoại quốc đều như nhau.”

Dân Số 15:15-16

Vietnamese Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (BPT)

Join the 40 Day "I Was A Stranger" Challenge. 

 

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”