Jacksonville Evangelical Leaders Call For a Vote on Immigration Reform
Local Pastors to Fly to D.C., Meet with Members of Congress Next Week
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., APRIL 24, 2014 — Top Jacksonville evangelical leaders held a press conference Tuesday to highlight the biblical call to welcome the stranger and urge Congress to move forward with a vote on immigration reform.
The press conference featured local pastors who will discuss the moral imperatives for immigration reform, their efforts during the April congressional recess and their April 29 #Pray4Reform trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with their members of Congress. Hosts included the Evangelical Immigration Table, World Relief Jacksonville, First Baptist Church of Orange Park and Iglesia Ciudad.
The following quotes are from pastors at Tuesday’s press conference:
Garry Swearingen, Associate Pastor, San Jose Church of Christ:
“It’s obvious to me that our political leaders would act in a responsible way if they could only hear the combined voices of all concerned Christians who are interested in bringing this long talked about and important topic to a meaningful resolution. Let us all fervently pray that God will use our trip to D.C. to bring these representatives to the boldness needed to step up and use the biblical principles set forth by the Evangelical Immigration Table in solving this regional and national issue.”
David Tarkington, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Orange Park:
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we understand that reform is needed regarding the United States’ immigration practices. While immigration is a political, economic and legal issue, it is ultimately a moral issue. Immigration reform is not about amnesty, but accountability. Proper reform must respect those who abide by our laws and value the individual. Our support for immigration reform calls for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus while pursuing justice and compassion. Our intention in Washington, D.C., next week is to help our Congress move forward with immigration reform with our support.”
Join the conversation on Twitter using #Pray4Reform and #VoteOnReform.
