Arkansas Pastors Laud Senate Passage of Immigration Reform
Local Pastors Encourage Continued Bipartisan Efforts at This Historic Moment for Immigration Reform
LITTLE ROCK — Today the Senate voted 68-32 to pass broad, bipartisan immigration reform. Alongside evangelicals around the country, the Evangelical Immigration Table has called for immigration reform that 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, and establishes an earned pathway to citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
At this historic moment for immigration reform, we applaud the bipartisan efforts of those in the Senate, including Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who seek commonsense solutions that respect the rule of law, but also respect the God-given dignity of every person by creating an achievable pathway to earned citizenship. We understand that fixing our broken immigration system is complex. While not perfect, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S. 744) represents good-faith legislation that upholds our shared principles.
We appreciate the hard work and cooperation that has led to the passage of a broad bill that members of both parties can support. As the focus of the debate shifts to the House of Representatives, we will continue to speak out about the urgent need for broad, commonsense reform.
Quotes from Arkansas pastors:
Mark DeYmaz, Founding Pastor, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, Little Rock:
“Evangelicals across the country, and here in Arkansas, have been united in our support of comprehensive immigration reform, and in urging Washington to fix a broken immigration system. Thankfully our collective voice has been heard. The bipartisan bill passed by the Senate today is a major step toward reform that will provide hope to millions at a critical moment in our nation's history. As we've seen in the past, America is only made stronger by an immigration system that welcomes the ‘huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ And this is precisely what we seek: a stronger, more vibrant, and compassionate America. For evangelicals, immigration reform isn’t about politics. It's about following where Scripture leads in honoring Jesus' call to love our neighbors and to care for the least among us — people often marginalized by society for one reason or another. Personally I'm thankful for the progress that we are witnessing and pray that Washington will continue to listen to the voices of faithful Americans, including millions of evangelicals, who are closely watching this debate. We will continue to encourage and expect comprehensive immigration reform from this Congress: indeed, the time is now.”
Greg Bearss, Lead Pastor, LakePointe Church, Hot Springs:
“Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God’s love for the “stranger” and for the "least of these" is revealed over and over again. Despite this biblical call to "love our neighbor" and “welcome the stranger,” our current immigration laws often harm families and destroys communities. The bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate helps create an immigration system that addresses these issues and is more reflective of biblical principles, while securing our border and bolstering our economy. I’m grateful for the progress this represents and hopeful that Congress can pass common sense immigration reform this year.”
Anthony Hendricks, Pastor, President of Conway Ministerial Alliance, Conway:
“America is the land of opportunity. For hundreds of years, immigrants have been coming to our shores to create a better life for themselves and their families. Their contributions have grown our economy and strengthened our communities. Yet too often we have ignored the struggles of our immigrant brothers and sisters, while failing to follow the Gospel’s call to love our neighbors. I am encouraged that the Senate has passed an immigration reform bill that will provide hope and opportunity to so many of God’s children, while making our nation safer and our economy stronger.”
Local Pastors Encourage Continued Bipartisan Efforts at This Historic Moment for Immigration Reform
LITTLE ROCK — Today the Senate voted 68-32 to pass broad, bipartisan immigration reform. Alongside evangelicals around the country, the Evangelical Immigration Table has called for immigration reform that 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, and establishes an earned pathway to citizenship for those who qualify and who wish to become permanent residents.
At this historic moment for immigration reform, we applaud the bipartisan efforts of those in the Senate, including Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who seek commonsense solutions that respect the rule of law, but also respect the God-given dignity of every person by creating an achievable pathway to earned citizenship. We understand that fixing our broken immigration system is complex. While not perfect, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S. 744) represents good-faith legislation that upholds our shared principles.
We appreciate the hard work and cooperation that has led to the passage of a broad bill that members of both parties can support. As the focus of the debate shifts to the House of Representatives, we will continue to speak out about the urgent need for broad, commonsense reform.
Quotes from Arkansas pastors:
Mark DeYmaz, Founding Pastor, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, Little Rock:
“Evangelicals across the country, and here in Arkansas, have been united in our support of comprehensive immigration reform, and in urging Washington to fix a broken immigration system. Thankfully our collective voice has been heard. The bipartisan bill passed by the Senate today is a major step toward reform that will provide hope to millions at a critical moment in our nation's history. As we've seen in the past, America is only made stronger by an immigration system that welcomes the ‘huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ And this is precisely what we seek: a stronger, more vibrant, and compassionate America. For evangelicals, immigration reform isn’t about politics. It's about following where Scripture leads in honoring Jesus' call to love our neighbors and to care for the least among us — people often marginalized by society for one reason or another. Personally I'm thankful for the progress that we are witnessing and pray that Washington will continue to listen to the voices of faithful Americans, including millions of evangelicals, who are closely watching this debate. We will continue to encourage and expect comprehensive immigration reform from this Congress: indeed, the time is now.”
Greg Bearss, Lead Pastor, LakePointe Church, Hot Springs:
“Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God’s love for the “stranger” and for the "least of these" is revealed over and over again. Despite this biblical call to "love our neighbor" and “welcome the stranger,” our current immigration laws often harm families and destroys communities. The bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate helps create an immigration system that addresses these issues and is more reflective of biblical principles, while securing our border and bolstering our economy. I’m grateful for the progress this represents and hopeful that Congress can pass common sense immigration reform this year.”
Anthony Hendricks, Pastor, President of Conway Ministerial Alliance, Conway:
“America is the land of opportunity. For hundreds of years, immigrants have been coming to our shores to create a better life for themselves and their families. Their contributions have grown our economy and strengthened our communities. Yet too often we have ignored the struggles of our immigrant brothers and sisters, while failing to follow the Gospel’s call to love our neighbors. I am encouraged that the Senate has passed an immigration reform bill that will provide hope and opportunity to so many of God’s children, while making our nation safer and our economy stronger.”
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