Significant Information and Response
from the Matthew 25 Presbytery of the Miami Valley
Regarding the Immigration Crisis
April 2025
37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25: 37-40
In a season marked by tension, uncertainty, and concern over our collective moral compass, we are reminded of the profound invitation found in Matthew 25. In this powerful passage, Christ teaches that in extending care and compassion to those who are most vulnerable, the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger, we are, in truth, extending our love directly to him. For our Presbyterian tradition, with its deep roots in Reformed theology and a longstanding commitment to justice and mercy, this call resonates beyond mere sentiment. It is a profound summons to live out our faith in tangible ways, nurturing a community where love transcends boundaries and privilege.
Today, we recommit to a gospel that sees every immigrant not as an outsider, but as a vital thread in the fabric of our shared humanity. In doing so, we embrace our calling as followers of Christ, not merely offering charity but inviting transformation, propelled by a faith that upholds dignity, shuns discrimination, and celebrates the inclusive love of our Creator.
As we grapple with the treatment of immigrants today, we must remember that every stranger is a bearer of God’s image, a living testament to divine creativity and grace. Our Reformed heritage requires us to examine our stewardship of God’s world, urging us to challenge structures and attitudes that marginalize our neighbors. To this end, we are providing information for the purpose of preparing congregations with the means of responding to the intrusion of potential government agencies in our churches.
We are committed to fulfill our Matthew 25 call to help and advocate for the poor and disenfranchised among us…and, if need be, respond to our Matthew 28 commission (“go and make disciples of all nations”) by helping to leverage relationships that can be made to support our deported brothers and sisters that we do not forget them and lose our obligation to their well-being in their own countries that they can be seeds of transformation in their countries of origin.
Presbytery of the Miami Valley has gathered information about the current immigration crisis, which may be helpful to churches facing immigration issues. Download the full document below that includes suggestions and other resources to explore.
