Immigration Workshop: Church Between Borders

What Is It?

Church Between Borders is a three-part interactive workshop designed to spark thoughtful reflection and discussion among Christian groups seeking to engage the topic of immigration from a biblical perspective. Participants are invited to explore Scripture’s call to “welcome the stranger” and consider what faithful response looks like in today’s context.

Church Between Borders has been offered in a variety of settings across the country — including adult education classes, youth groups, schools, colleges, and community organizations — helping participants grow in understanding and compassion toward immigrants and refugees.

Why Should My Church Participate?

The Hebrew word for “immigrant” or “sojourner” — ger — appears 92 times in the Old Testament. Throughout Scripture, God reminds His people of the blessing and importance of welcoming the stranger. Yet, only about 24% of evangelicals have ever discussed immigration within their church communities.

Together, we can explore why immigrants are so close to the heart of God and how we can help shift the conversation toward understanding, compassion, and justice. While opinions about immigration often run high, our shared understanding of the facts can run low. If we are to think faithfully about immigration, it’s essential that we both understand how immigration works today and listen to what Scripture teaches about those who seek refuge among us.

Workshop Overview

Session 1: Immigration Simulation — Stepping Into the Shoes of an Immigrant

Faithful thinking begins with shared understanding. In this session, we’ll learn together how the current immigration system works and uncover some of the myths or misunderstandings that may exist. Many people ask, “Why don’t undocumented immigrants just get in line?” Together, we’ll explore what those “lines” actually are — who qualifies, who doesn’t, and how long the process can take — gaining a clearer picture of the realities immigrants face.

Session 2: Immigration Storyline — How Did We Get Here?

Moving forward together begins with remembering together. Because of our diversity, developing a shared understanding of immigration history in the United States can be challenging. This session helps us reflect on the history and values that have shaped our immigration laws over time. We’ll consider questions like, “My grandparents came legally — why can’t others do the same?” and discover how immigration policies have evolved — often favoring certain groups while limiting others — for more than a century.

Session 3: How Do We Think About Immigration as Christians? How Can We Advocate for Change?

Our culture often measures a person’s worth by economic value or perceived safety — asking whether someone is a “benefit” or a “threat.” Scripture, however, defines human worth differently: every person is created in the image of God. In this session, we’ll explore how biblical truths can shape the way we think, speak, and act regarding immigration. We’ll also discuss how, as followers of Christ and citizens in a democracy, we can faithfully use our voices, time, and resources to advocate for just and compassionate policies.

Interested in Hosting Church Between Borders?

We have trained facilitators available who may be able to lead the workshop for your congregation or community, depending on availability and location. To learn more, contact Thrive at [email protected]. We’ll connect you with our justice consultant to discuss next steps and help you bring Church Between Borders to your community.