Why Undocumented Immigrants Are Flocking to This Evangelical Church

Published: March 23, 2017, 3:16 p.m.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 800 congregations in 30 American cities have joined the New Sanctuary Movement (NSM). An interfaith effort organized by Christian activist Alexia Salvatierra, NSM religious institutions have pledged to open their doors to undocumented immigrants worried that authorities may arrest them or separate their families. (Read CT\u2019s interview with Salvatierra.) At this point, most of the churches that have joined the New Sanctuary Movement are progressive congregations. New Season Christian Worship Center in Sacramento is one of the few evangelical congregations that\u2019s announced something similar, what Time Magazine recently called a \u201csafe haven\u201d program. The program is specifically focused on meeting the urgent needs of undocumented immigrants, those fleeing domestic violence, or those affected by gang fights. So far, New Season has set up more than two dozen beds for congregants looking to escape immigration raids and hosted more than half a dozen families. \u201cA safe haven is a place where we can offer a place of rest from turmoil from those things which are troubling people,\u201d said Charlie Rivera, who pastors New Season\u2019s Spanish language ministry and leads the safe haven program. \u201cWe offer a sense of hope and spiritual help.\u201d The church\u2019s program is not meant to oppose or thwart the government, said Rivera. \u201cWe\u2019re not here to break any law or do anything illegal,\u201d he said. \u201cOur main goal is to assist people who are in need.\u201d Rivera joined Morgan and Mark to discuss why he doesn\u2019t believe his church is harboring criminals, why New Season has seen a surge of Hispanic attendees, and how Christians can encourage undocumented immigrants to do the right thing. (Note: New Season\u2019s pastor, Sam Rodriguez, serves on CT\u2019s board, and recently appeared on Quick to Listen to discuss his rationale for praying at Trump\u2019s inauguration.)\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices