tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425160946461372453.post8280277365985857079..comments2023-10-23T12:33:51.390-07:00Comments on Brigade Connection: The Hands of Christ to Immigrant FamiliesBrigade Connectionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358787035018219332noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425160946461372453.post-17767444317709258812017-02-28T09:33:28.366-08:002017-02-28T09:33:28.366-08:00I am a Herald of Christ (1984), pastor, missionary...I am a Herald of Christ (1984), pastor, missionary to Ecuador (currently on furlough in PA) and husband to a legal immigrant. That said, I can certainly relate and understand the sentiments of the anonymous comment above. I would not purposely encourage anyone to come to the United States legally and have often tried to deter people from doing so, for their well being more than society's.<br /><br />However, there is so much misinformation and fear out there that is not helping our nation's leaders to step up to the plate and deal with the immigration issue. Many times immigration reformation bills have been killed in committee because no lawmakers have been willing to take the political risk. That is a travesty and a very real shame that no one wants to take leadership and/or responsibility for change. As citizens we have not held them accountable.<br /><br />I respect other people's thought regarding immigration and the refugee crisis, even though I find it unnerving that most evangelical Christians assume that I support a certain stance whether I do or not. However, I do not support a "blind" acceptance of the current administration's policies without considering the facts and its implications. I believe that the current climate of hate in the United States will do more to keep immigrants, legal or otherwise, out of the United States than any wall building. No wonder that only 1% of the world's refugees even attempt to come to the US.Ned Farnsworthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425160946461372453.post-84876627244446630252017-02-27T14:16:46.405-08:002017-02-27T14:16:46.405-08:00Hey anonymous, thanks for your interest in the art...Hey anonymous, thanks for your interest in the article. <br /><br />I'm a long-time reader, first-time commenter. Actually, the article is not political at all, except for whatever politics the reader brings to it (and which Brigade cannot control). If the reader brings assumptions to it, it isn't the article that is political, but the reader. <br /><br />Brigade is not political, leaning one way or the other. As a Canadian, I can read this article without the spectre of being politically correct, or incorrect, as the case may be. I expect the story did not include immigration aspects because the details are not pertinent to the story, nor to the reader. It is about a young guy in a new place who needed help. Nobody needed to check the passport because that is the government's job, not the local Brigade unit's. Some godly men simply helped a young guy in need, as per the Biblical admonition to love your neighbour (i.e., the Samaritan).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14816244641903233612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3425160946461372453.post-46777496560369083002017-02-27T09:07:49.835-08:002017-02-27T09:07:49.835-08:00Dear Dave Gregg and CSB Team - I think this is a w...Dear Dave Gregg and CSB Team - I think this is a wonderful story and a great testimony to Jesus Christ at a very sensitive time for our country. Unfortunately, rightfully or not, it gives the impression that Christian Service Brigade supports illegal immigration (“The Hands of Christ to Immigrant Families”) at a time when we've specifically elected federal leaders to uphold our sovereignty as a nation and enforce our existing laws to prohibit people from coming into our country who potentially threaten our safety. What the article should have specifically included was a brief, but specific explanation of how Lloyd Gestoso's parents and family came to the United States (e.g., they applied for and were legally granted Visa's and later became American citizens).<br /><br />As a Christian, I’m truly supportive of helping the “weakest members of our world.” Jesus taught this in Matthew 25:35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ <br /><br />The bible also clearly teaches in Romans 13:1-7 that we are to obey our leaders who God has raised up to govern over us, even if we for some reason we disagree.<br /><br />“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” <br /><br />Thanks for your consideration of my feedback. I sincerely appreciate your service and all that CSB does in the lives of young me to point them to Christ.<br /><br />Respectfully yours in Christ.<br /><br />Christian Service Brigade Leader <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com