By Marv Knox BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Construction of an immigrant respite center at Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville is moving forward, thanks to a Christmas miracle of generosity. IB West Brownsville ministers to refugees who pass through Matamoros, Mexico, as they seek asylum in the United States. The U.S. immigration policy requires asylum seekers to “wait in place” … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Joy and gladness radiated from the desert about 100 miles west of Juarez, Mexico, Feb. 3. A shelter for refugees opened in Palomas, Chihuahua—thanks to a coalition that includes the village of Palomas, the state of Chihuahua, Red de Albergues Migrantes (the Migrant Shelter Network), regional nonprofits and Fellowship Southwest. Although Palomas … Continue reading
By Marv Knox As winter’s frigid blast buffeted the U.S.-Mexico border this week, pastors pleaded for blankets to comfort immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. “Very cold today; 37 degrees,” Carlos Navarro, pastor of Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville wrote in a text on Tuesday. Later, in a phone call, he said churches that provide … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Pastors and ministry leaders on both sides of the Mexico-United States border are gearing up to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the immigrant caravan that began in Latin America and now is marching through Mexico toward the United States. A coalition of churches on both sides of the border, including … Continue reading
By Marc Wyatt Palm Sunday celebrates the glorious triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (John 12:1-18). Zechariah had prophesied the entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem, saying: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of … Continue reading
This update comes from the Advocacy Action Team for Immigrants and Refugees. Immigration DREAM Act The DACA program is set to expire on March 5, six months after it was rescinded. Advocates from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship have been part of a much larger community of businesses, law enforcement, faith leaders, educational institutions and legislators … Continue reading
By Charles Allard No one was thinking the impossible when the Crabtree Valley Baptist Church met for its monthly business meeting February 26, 2017. We were discussing whether or not to rent or sell our vacated Youth House, which was deteriorating day by day. Someone asked, “Would we consider turning the Youth House into a … Continue reading
By Blake Tommey As the sun set over the Democratic Republic of Congo, Elias Isaiah Erick and his family settled into a customary evening at home. Suddenly, militia fighters burst in, attacked Erick and kidnapped his wife and children. Alone, and with no knowledge of his family’s whereabouts, Erick fled the swelling violence as the deadline … Continue reading
By Anonymous CBF field personnel in Turkey “There are men with machines guns on the rooftops of every street in Aleppo pointed at us as we walk by. The police on the streets take our phones and even our watches” explains one refugee woman. “We could not stay any longer” They came to Turkey to … Continue reading
By Holly Cunningham Chaos. Destruction. Confusion. Brokenness. Chaos is found in the horrifying moments when bombs fall from the sky, destroying buildings and bodies in a single explosion. Destruction of lives, hopes and dreams ensues as concrete collapses and pain arises. Confusion fills the air as families wonder if their loved ones are still alive … Continue reading