Updated 02:35 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Immigration Reform 2014: Texas Evangelical Leaders Support Immigration Reform

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As the immigration debate rages on in the halls of Congress, support for immigration reform among conservative religious leaders in Texas continues to grow. 

Last week, 17 evangelical leaders expressed support for immigration reform at the Southern Baptists of Texas Evangelism Conference in Houston, Texas, according to Crossmap. The leaders put their support behind the Evangelical Immigration Table's Statement of Principles on immigration reform. 

The 17 pastors to sign the principles include prominent church leaders Matt Chandler and Dr. Bart Barber. 

Dr. Barber, the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Farmesville and First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, said "Immigration policy is both a Great Commission and a Great Commandment issue."

"It's a Great Commission issue because immigration brings to the doorsteps of our churches millions of lost people whom we would otherwise need to find in order to share the gospel with them," he continued. "It's a Great Commandment issue because loving our neighbors as ourselves puts the harsher rhetoric and plans for immigration reform straight off of the table for us. I'm thankful for the opportunity to state publicly my agreement with the principles of the Evangelical Immigration Table."

Pastor Gilbert Chavez echoed his beliefs, saying that immigration is one of the many social issues in which Christians should be engaged. 

"Evangelical Christians should share grace with people who are coming here and find a way to reach them so that they can become productive citizens of our nation," Chavez said. "I believe that Evangelical Christians should have a proper dialogue about this critical issue."

While House Republicans' list of immigration reform principles sits dormant in Congress, evangelical Christian leaders released their own set of principles. 

The document states that they seek a "bipartisan solution" to immigration reform, which includes the following principles:

  • Respects the God-given dignity of every person
  • Protects the unity of the immediate family
  • Respects the rule of law
  • Guarantees secure national borders
  • Ensures fairness to taxpayers
  • Establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents

Jim Holcombe, an evangelist of Jim Holcombe Ministries, said Republicans need to follow the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform. 

"Lawmakers also need to do what's in the Constitution, and presidents of both parties simply haven't enforced the law. It's time for reform," Holcombe added. 

Bill Britt, President of Compel Outreach and President of the Conference of Texas Baptist Evangelists, also signed the list of immigration reform principles. 

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