But take heart!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Our news media is filled with shootings, war, terrorism which can be discerning, but God has got this.  God is in charge.  Nothing catches him by surprise as he sees all things from the beginning of time to the end of time. During these times we must not live in fear but let the light of Jesus shine through us even stronger.

I have been researching information on the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East.  What is most shocking to me is that white evangelical Christians are the ones most opposite to Syrian refugees coming to the U.S. Yet God tells us in his Word to welcome the refugee and displaced.  Most of the Syrian refugees seeking resettlement are women and children under 14.  Media does not inform us that the U.S. has the most stringent 18 months evaluation process for refugees.

During the 1980-90’s the churches of Central California welcomed 10’s of thousands of Hmong and Laotian.  They have assimilated into society and now are police officers, city officials and professors in our community. During this the 1980’s when I was pastor here in Fresno, our church helped resettle over 180 refugees.  Then we birthed a Laotian Church which became the first Laotian Church within the Evangelical Covenant Church in America.

In light of Christmas season which celebrates the birth of the Savior of the world, who himself was a refugee as his parents took him to Egypt.  They fled from the wicked King Herod who was seeking to kill him.

Remember who King David’s great grandparents where?  Boaz and Ruth, Ruth was a refugee in Jesus’ lineage.  So I am thinking and praying how CinA should approach this new refugee opportunity in the U.S.

During this Christmas Season let us love one another and as Jesus said even love your enemies.

Dr. Gordon Donoho – CinA President