The idea of the church's ministry in the global area of migration/immigration has dawned slowly upon the church. Today migration stands as one of the defining issues facing the church and the globe throughout the 21st century.

Preparing for this new reality demands the opening of both our hearts and our minds to God's spirit, so that we may truly open evangelizing doors and follow Jesus through them into this new world aborning. Nothing less than this path will enable us to "rethink church" as an agency of God's transformation of the world.

Latest Resources

• A short history of immigration in the United Status (PowerPoint file)
• A variety of resources were prepared in support of the Desert Southwest Annual Conference's Labor Sunday 2010 preaching day on immigration. Those resources are still available for churches that have not yet preached on the subject, or for churches that want to continue to consider immigration in preaching, study, and conversation.
• Advent 2010 devotional, preaching, and worship resources are now available from three different sources.

Events

• Formative programs for exploring immigration ministry. These programs provide formative experiences along the U.S.-Mexico border designed to help individuals and groups explore the world of the immigrant as a locus for future spirituality and ministry.
• Module III introductions to immigration - this program of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino ministry is currently available in both English and Spanish for use with groups of 12 to 24 persons already committed to engaging in ministry with the immigrant population. The module utilizes an action-reflection model of learning. For more information, contact jimperdue(at)desertsw.org.
• On-line classes - due to events of the summer of 2010, these classes are being prepared for 2011
  • Immigration, the Religious Community, and Sacred Scripture
  • Church-based organizing for immigration reform

Forums

• Social networking - we shall develop and merge with existing immigration reform social networking communities across the conference.
• Bible and theology - we shall open up a biblical and theological dialogue around the issue of migration/immigration.

Resources

• Soerens, Matthew and Jenny Hwang. (2010) Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books. This presents the issues that the church in particular faces around immigration reform. The book is available from Cokesbury.
• Additional resource list
• United Methodist Women's Resources