Evangelical Pastors & Leaders Across Tennessee Urge a Biblically-Rooted Approach to Refugees and Immigration

Contact: wr@pinkston.co

(Memphis, TN) August 21, 2025 – Today, scores of evangelical pastors and ministry leaders from across the State of Tennessee are speaking up on the contentious topic of immigration, affirming a “Tennessee Evangelical Statement on Refugees & Immigration.”

“As evangelical Christians throughout the State of Tennessee, our views on the complex issues of refugees and immigration are rooted in our commitment to the authority of Scripture over all of our lives. While immigration is certainly an important political issue, for us it is first and foremost a biblical issue with significant ramifications for the mission of the church in our state and around the world,” the statement begins. “We wish to be clear about the biblical principles that guide us, so that immigrants in our state – many of whom are brothers and sisters in Christ, all of whom are neighbors whom Jesus commands us to love (Luke 10:27) – know we stand with them.”

The statement, signed by evangelical pastors and leaders from various denominations and theological traditions and from across the state, highlights:

• Recognizing the God-given dignity of each person, including immigrants
• Demonstrating compassion and hospitality as biblical mandates
• Respect for the rule of law and governmental authority, affirming the government’s responsibility to ensure secure borders and remove individuals convicted of violent crimes but also the importance of respecting the right to due process
• Protecting family unity and the wellbeing of children
• Preserving religious liberty

An initial list of prominent Tennessee evangelical pastors and leaders who have affirmed this statement, with organizational affiliation mentioned for identification purposes only, can be found here. World Relief — the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, which organized the statement through its local office in Memphis — now invites any Tennessee evangelical Christians, including lay people, to add their names to this statement here. 

“When Jesus said, ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12),’ he was quoting from the oldest body of laws among humanity for how to treat immigrants. The original includes this line, ‘The foreigner living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord you God’ (Leviticus 19:33-34). The same Lord who commanded his people to be merciful, commanded the foreigner to obey the laws of the community (Numbers 15:16),” observed Dr. George Robertson, senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. “While we call on elected officials to create legislation to maintain justice in our land for citizens and non-citizens, we also call on our Christian brothers and sisters to love their neighbor as themselves regardless of their status. We support our government’s responsibility to make our borders secure, root out criminals and develop humanitarian laws for those seeking a home here, but we must also hold ourselves accountable to welcome and love the foreigner, especially if he or she is a vulnerable Jesus-follower. Not only do our brothers and sisters need us for their relief, but we also need them to experience the beautiful unity of the household of God (Ephesians 2:11-21).”

“As an evangelical Christian, the Bible informs, forms and transforms how we think about the world and everyone in it. The Scriptures reveal that every human being is an image bearer of God, without regard for the circumstances of their conception or the nation of their birth,” said Carmen LaBerge, Nashville-based author and Christian radio host with Faith Radio. “So if every person is precious to God, every person is of great concern to us. Those who have recently sought refuge in the United States are not able to shape public policy, but evangelical Christians citizens are in a position to do so. So, I am happy to affirm this non-partisan, biblically-informed statement and hope many evangelical Christians throughout the great state of Tennessee will join me.”

“As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbors, protect the vulnerable and bear witness to the dignity of every person. This statement is a timely reminder that the church must lead with compassion and conviction, especially in how we welcome immigrants and refugees in our communities,” said Chattanooga-based Brian Fikkert, co-author of When Helping Hurts.

“The Tennessee Evangelical Statement on Refugees and Immigration highlights the responsibility of followers of Christ to care for those who are vulnerable. Jesus stated: ‘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’ (Matthew 25:35). As we face these times of uncertainty, it is essential for faith leaders to come together in supporting the dignity and rights of all individuals,” said Dr. Carlos S. Morán, a Director of Hispanic Ministries based in Cleveland. “Over the past several months, at a time when many of our refugee and immigrant neighbors have felt fear and anxiety, we’ve seen evangelical churches and individuals throughout Tennessee step up to demonstrate their love and concerns for refugees and other immigrants,” said P.J. Moore, Executive Director of World Relief Memphis. “This statement underscores the biblical principles that unite us as followers of Jesus and transcend political differences, pointing followers of Jesus — whether pastors, laypeople or elected officials — toward a better way forward for our state and our country.”