Christian Leaders Support Immigrants and Refugees
Statements of Faith Leaders in Support of Immigrants and Refugees
Our message to all elected leaders: President Trump, Governor Lee, & Local Elected
As Christians and pastors, we believe that every human being is made in the image of God and worthy of safety, love, and respect. Most of us would move heaven and earth to provide for our loved ones–whether we’re born here, or have come to call America our home as many immigrants and refugees have while fleeing violence in their countries of origin. Immigrants and refugees are threaded in every fabric of our nation's communities, culture, education, and economy.
So, as people of faith and pastors, we stand together in support of immigrants and refugees' right to live in safety and attend public schools, free of fear and harassment . Further, we call on all elected leaders who claim the Christian faith, from state leaders like Senator Brent Taylor and Governor Lee, to federal leaders like Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, to stop their attacks on our immigrant community members and neighbors.
We are confident in the words of Jesus in the Bible when He commands us to welcome and protect the immigrant, the stranger, and the refugee. In Matthew 25 Jesus says, 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me' and ' Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' And in Leviticus we read, "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
It is a violation of our freedom of religion to safely worship Jesus when elected officials attack faith leaders and denominational bodies, on top of the attacks against some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Millions of Christians and people of faith in this country share values of care and concern for the immigrant, for the disenfranchised, and for the ability to offer safe space for those under threat. From our homes, to our vehicles, to our places of worship: we are sanctuaries! It is against this infringement of sacred space that pastors are speaking out –whether it's nationally through the federal lawsuit brought by 27 faith organizations and denominations against the Trump administration’s unconstitutional actions, or right here locally in Tennessee, with pastors and congregations speaking out against the discriminatory legislation passed and considered by our General Assembly. We will not be deterred from sounding the fundamental Christian call -echoed by millions of faithful across the country– to love the immigrant and welcome the sojourner.
We, the undersigned, come together to demand that our elected leaders across Tennessee stop dehumanizing our neighbors; stop violating our freedom of religion; halt their faith-starved attacks against our immigrant & refugee communities; and instead, reverse course to start following the call of Scripture, which charges us to affirm, love, and welcome the presence of God in all people.
Rev. C. Don Jones, United Methodist Church
Rev. Brandon Berg, United Methodist Church
Rev. Shelby Slowey, South End United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN
Rev. Joy Warren, Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Chaplain Dahron Johnson, United Church of Christ
Rev. Chris Warren, Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev Ingrid McIntyre, Pastor of Glencliff United Methodist Church
Rev. Wesley King, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev Julian Gordy, ELCA Southeastern Synod
Rev. Laura Becker, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Ella Clay, Historic First Community Church
Rev. Laura Bogle, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Travis Meier, Pastor of First Lutheran Church Nashville (ELCA)
Rev. Eric Mayle, Pastor of Edgehill United Methodist Church
Jeff Roberts, Minister to Families - St. John’s United Methodist Church, Memphis
Rev. Matt Steinhauer, ELCA Southeastern Synod
Rev. Tonya Barnette, Church of the Savior UCC
Rev. Dr. Pam Phillips-Burk
Rev. John Gill, United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Donna K. Whitney, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, Nashville
Rev. Cherie A. Booker, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, Nashville, TN
Rev. Christopher F. Davis, New Wineskins Fellowship, Nashville, TN
Rev Frank Davis
Rev. Allison Bright, First Christian Church (DOC)
Rev. Brandon Baxter, Pastor of East End UMC
Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye, Pastor of Mercy and Justice, West End UMC
Rev. Will McLeane, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, West End UMC
Rev Lora Jean Gowan, Pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Memphis
Rev. Shannon Baxter, Jr., Pastor of Congregational Connection, West End UMC
Rev. Dr. Sara J. Hughes, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN
Rev. Lisa Cook, Sacred Sparks Ministry (Cumberland Presbyterian Church)
Rev. Kelli X, Senior Pastor, The Village Church (Christian Church Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. Melvin W. Wright, Pastor Bethany Baptist Church
Rev. Liza Hawkins, Memorial Lutheran (ELCA) Nashville
Rev. Robin Lovett-Owen, Christ Lutheran (ELCA) Nashville
Rev. Lisa Oliver, Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Micah Watson, Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Tammy Bryant, For His Glory Ministry
Rev. Dr. Judy Cummings, Retired Pastor, Christian Church, (DOC)
Rev. Denise Gyauch, Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rev. Claire Harris Kramer, LMSW, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
Rev. Danny Bryant, St. Mary of Bethany Parish (Anglican Free Communion)
Rev. Josh Scott, GracePointe Church, Nashville
Rev. Dr. Katina Sharp, Powell Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Powell, TN
Rev. Joy Warren, Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Most of us would move heaven and earth to provide for our loved ones, whether we’re born here or have made America our home and this harmful immigration agenda from President Trump and Governor Lee only serves to spread fear and sow division in communities who are already vulnerable and scared. President Trump's attacks on individual faith leaders and denominational bodies must stop! Millions of people of faith in this country share values of care and concern for the immigrant, for the disenfranchised, and for the ability to offer safe space for those under threat. From our places of worship to our homes to our vehicles, we are sanctuaries!"