Informed Hearts. Faithful Action.
An invitation to listen, pray, and love our immigrant neighbors
Sometimes we hear something that stays with us long after a conversation ends. It settles into our hearts, finds its way into our prayers, and prompts us to ask, Lord, what would You have us do?
Recently, Pastor Tara Beth was invited to a World Relief pastors’ roundtable, and she welcomed me into the conversation. We listened to pastors from Chicago whose congregations include immigrant families. They shared heartbreaking stories of the fear, uncertainty, and suffering their communities are experiencing amid the changing immigration landscape.
These pastors are caring for people they know and love. They described the pain of witnessing families and communities being torn apart—and some shared how deeply alone they feel as they walk alongside them.
Pastor Tara Beth and I left with a heaviness that was hard to shake. We heard troubling information about the scope of these challenges and concerns about access to due process that we had not previously understood. These were our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their churches are part of the same body of Christ we belong to. Yet we had not understood the depth of what they were carrying.
Once we had heard their stories, we knew we needed to make room for our congregation to hear and learn, too.
We recognize that immigration brings complex questions and deeply held convictions. Within Good Shepherd, we may have different perspectives on policies and how our country should address them. We want to approach those differences with humility, grace, and respect for one another.
At the same time, Scripture gives us a clear calling to love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, and care for those who are vulnerable. Jesus draws us close to people in their suffering. He invites us to see their humanity, listen to their stories, and respond with compassion.
We can begin there, together.
We do not need to have every answer before we listen. We do not need to agree on every policy before we pray for a frightened family or stand alongside a fellow Christian who feels alone. We can ask God to help us understand—and trust Him to guide our next faithful step.
With that heart, we invite you to two upcoming gatherings.
Informed Hearts. Faithful Action.
An Immigration Forum with World Relief
Wednesday, October 21 | 6-7:30pm | Chapel
How can we faithfully stand with our immigrant neighbors? Join World Relief and experts who work in immigration courts every day to learn about the shifting immigration landscape nationally and across Chicagoland—and the profound impact on our immigrant neighbors.
Our faith calls us to respond with compassion, courage, and love. Hear what these experts are seeing, ask questions, and discover practical next steps we can take together to love, advocate for, and support our immigrant neighbors in this challenging season.
Together in Prayer. Together for Our Neighbors.
Chicagoland Prayer Vigil
Monday, October 26 | Corner of Ida B. Wells & Clark St. in Chicago | 5:30 pm
Join Good Shepherd and churches across Chicagoland for a candlelight prayer vigil as we stand alongside our immigrant neighbors. Together, we will pray for due process, for those in detention and their families, and for all who serve them. Come offer your presence, your prayers, and the hope of Christ’s love.
My hope for these events is that we will allow what we hear to deepen our compassion and move us toward faithful action. Sometimes that begins with a question. Sometimes with a prayer. Sometimes with showing up beside someone who needs to know we care.
May God give us tender hearts, wisdom to discern, and courage to love.
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister
Recently, Pastor Tara Beth was invited to a World Relief pastors’ roundtable, and she welcomed me into the conversation. We listened to pastors from Chicago whose congregations include immigrant families. They shared heartbreaking stories of the fear, uncertainty, and suffering their communities are experiencing amid the changing immigration landscape.
These pastors are caring for people they know and love. They described the pain of witnessing families and communities being torn apart—and some shared how deeply alone they feel as they walk alongside them.
Pastor Tara Beth and I left with a heaviness that was hard to shake. We heard troubling information about the scope of these challenges and concerns about access to due process that we had not previously understood. These were our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their churches are part of the same body of Christ we belong to. Yet we had not understood the depth of what they were carrying.
Once we had heard their stories, we knew we needed to make room for our congregation to hear and learn, too.
We recognize that immigration brings complex questions and deeply held convictions. Within Good Shepherd, we may have different perspectives on policies and how our country should address them. We want to approach those differences with humility, grace, and respect for one another.
At the same time, Scripture gives us a clear calling to love our neighbors, welcome the stranger, and care for those who are vulnerable. Jesus draws us close to people in their suffering. He invites us to see their humanity, listen to their stories, and respond with compassion.
We can begin there, together.
We do not need to have every answer before we listen. We do not need to agree on every policy before we pray for a frightened family or stand alongside a fellow Christian who feels alone. We can ask God to help us understand—and trust Him to guide our next faithful step.
With that heart, we invite you to two upcoming gatherings.
Informed Hearts. Faithful Action.
An Immigration Forum with World Relief
Wednesday, October 21 | 6-7:30pm | Chapel
How can we faithfully stand with our immigrant neighbors? Join World Relief and experts who work in immigration courts every day to learn about the shifting immigration landscape nationally and across Chicagoland—and the profound impact on our immigrant neighbors.
Our faith calls us to respond with compassion, courage, and love. Hear what these experts are seeing, ask questions, and discover practical next steps we can take together to love, advocate for, and support our immigrant neighbors in this challenging season.
Together in Prayer. Together for Our Neighbors.
Chicagoland Prayer Vigil
Monday, October 26 | Corner of Ida B. Wells & Clark St. in Chicago | 5:30 pm
Join Good Shepherd and churches across Chicagoland for a candlelight prayer vigil as we stand alongside our immigrant neighbors. Together, we will pray for due process, for those in detention and their families, and for all who serve them. Come offer your presence, your prayers, and the hope of Christ’s love.
My hope for these events is that we will allow what we hear to deepen our compassion and move us toward faithful action. Sometimes that begins with a question. Sometimes with a prayer. Sometimes with showing up beside someone who needs to know we care.
May God give us tender hearts, wisdom to discern, and courage to love.
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister