Michigan Immigration
Michigan United Methodists aren't new to advocating for immigrants. This past December, Melanie Goldberg and Tori Booker of Justice for Our Neighbors rallied with Rev. Paul Perez and others outside a congressman's office in Troy, Mich. Facebook photo
NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 17, 2018 – In its annual meeting in London, England, the Board of Directors of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), an organization supported by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), expressed its alarm about the current global immigration, refugee, and human trafficking crisis. The association was especially concerned with the lack of solidarity with immigrants and their children.
In a statement released immediately after its adoption, the Board reviewed its grave concern about this “humanitarian crisis” that has been getting worse over recent years and called on governments “to give serious and responsible attention to all refugees, especially women and children, and to treat them with dignity, respect, and care.”
Furthermore, the statement calls on governments, “even in the midst of their concern for economic and national security issues, not to succumb to the fear that hardens their hearts; rather, we call on them to transcend fear and raw political power with love, reason, wisdom, and generosity of spirit so that all people are cared for humanely and compassionately.”
The statement reaffirmed IAMSCU’s commitment to education as the key to addressing these challenges.
IAMSCU membership includes more than 1,000 affiliated educational institutions in the Methodist tradition in 80 countries spread over five continents. It represents a connection of more than 80 million Methodist-related communities worldwide.
“This is a milestone statement carefully considered by the membership about an increasingly important worldwide issue,” said Dr. Amos Nascimento, associate general secretary, Office of Global Education and New Initiatives, GBHEM. “Methodism has far-reaching influence. We hope that this statement will inspire action that will effectively address the problem. This is a crisis that all Christians and other persons of conscience should respond to in their own spheres of influence.”
The complete statement is available here. To learn more about GBHEM and IAMSCU visit GBHEM.org.
Ebony Lincoln serves as director of communications for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn.