Loving the Immigrant
By Taylor Bell My personal faith is filled with narratives of a God who calls His people to be a community of love, justice and mercy. And in regards to the immigrant, also known as the sojourner, I believe we are given explicit direction not only to provide hospitality, but also to treat him as our own, because we recognize our love extends beyond the borders of our nation. The first session I attended, led by the Rev. Gabriel Salguero (president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition), spoke from a biblical ethics perspective, consistently asking: “Is this law a good law? Is this law a moral law?” Salguero reaffirmed for me that when the laws of our state impede the spirit of God in this world, it is our role as Christians to begin questioning these laws and ultimately to be at the forefront of advocating for change. Read more here. Evangelical leaders call for immigration overhaul
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (Reuters) - Evangelical Christian leaders took up a bully pulpit on Thursday to call for a "humane" overhaul of the U.S. immigration system in response to tough crackdowns on illegal immigrants enacted by Alabama and other states.
"Because I'm a Christian I believe in comprehensive, common-sense, humane immigration policy," the Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the New York-based National Latino Evangelical Coalition, told a conference of evangelical leaders in Birmingham. Read more here. First Lady Michelle Obama Joins Goya Foods In Announcing "Mi Plato" Resources For Families, NaLEC Named as PartnerTampa, Florida
In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, Goya Foods, the largest, Hispanic-owned U.S. food company, is committing resources to promote the USDA's MyPlate, or MiPlato, a new food group symbol to remind families about making healthy meal choices with easy “how-tos” about proper portions. Mrs. Obama joined Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods, and leading Latino organizations to promote their nationwide effort to encourage health and wellness in communities across the country. Goya Foods is rolling out numerous steps to help communities enjoy healthy, tasty and affordable meals including creating brochures, posters, coupons and cookbooks for consumers; developing educational tools for 4th through 6th grade students across the country; and imprinting the MiPlato icon on some of their products. Read more here. What do Latino evangelical voters want?It may come as a surprise to you to learn that Hispanic evangelicals are a key constituency in swing states. The Jan 31 Florida primary has hastened an all-out blitz for this group’s attention. What do Hispanic evangelicals want from a presidential candidate?
Since our coalition of Latino evangelicals launched a national voter registration campaign, I have fielded multiple interviews about this growing--and increasingly politically influential--demographic. As many have noted, historically, Hispanic evangelicals are social conservatives that simultaneously advocate for issues of justice for the most vulnerable. Anyone who ignores this reality, particularly in swing states like Nevada, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Ohio, has not understood this emerging and increasingly vocal group. As a group, we are quintessential independent voters. Read More Here. |
Congregations' role in Resolving U.S. Immigration Policy
Reform of immigration law remains on the nation's agenda — and on the agenda of congregations in this country as well. "Congregations can help America find the way forward by re-igniting the conversation on immigration reform. We can move it from partisan politics to a moral discussion," says Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, a network of Latino Evangelical congregations. "Some pastors have already started immigrant minis-tries and some have even advocated for a more just and common-sense solution. What are a few main points on the American immigration debate of the NaLEC? We feel that the American immigration debate is at an impasse and Christian churches can play a critical role in helping move past this stalemate. Evangelicals understand the need to balance the respect for laws while advocating for more common-sense and humane immigration laws. In short, Christains are calling for a balance between mercy and justice. The main point is that we can reform the immigration laws in ways that reflect love of neighbor, respect for the law, and serve as a boom for our economy. Read more here. Up for Grabs: The Hispanic Evangelical VoteCourtesy of Odyssey Networks
Numbering 10 million and growing, the Hispanic evangelical voting bloc has become a crucial constituency to court in U.S. politics. In an effort to ensure their voice is heard in the 2012 election, the National Latino Evangelical Coalition has launched "Nuestro Futuro," a voter registration drive aimed at young Latinos and Latinas. "For any candidate to ignore Hispanic evangelicals in any presidential election, they do so at their peril," says The Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. Sleeping Power House? Latinos Combat Voter Apathy"Every pastor in every Latino church in the country has undocumented immigrants somewhere in their community, either directly worshipping in their place of worship or related to one of their parishioners," said Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition.
"These are not numbers for us. These are the people we break the communion bread with," he added. However, will these harsh realities prove to be a catalyst at the polls? Thanks to phenomenal growth nationwide, Latinos have the potential to become a political powerhouse. But recent history shows they are slow to register and then often don't vote. During the 2010 mid-term elections for example, 66 percent of Latino eligible voters stayed home compared to 50 percent of white eligible voters. For many Latinos, there's a sense that neither party is hearing their often socially conservative views, economic worries, and pent-up demand for immigration reform. "What we've found in the last two elections, the mid-terms and now the 2012 presidential election, is a lot of Latino disillusionment with the political process, feeling they haven't been heard on immigration reform and the economy," Salguero explained. "Our job as the National Latino Evangelical Coalition is to tell people, 'Don't get so disillusioned that you disengage but rather engage, have your voice heard.'" "Be passionate. Set out a kingdom agenda and set out a national platform. Register and vote in great numbers so that the national evangelical voice is heard," he said. For its part, NaLEC is organizing rallies in key Latino states around the country, hoping to draw attention to important issues for Latinos like immigration reform, education, and the economy. |
G92 Conference at Samford University explores morality of immigration law
Christian speakers opposed to Alabama's immigration law opened the G92 Immigration Conference South at Samford University this morning.
Jenny Hwang-Yang and Matthew Soerens, staff members of the Christian organization World Relief, told several hundred students gathered in Reid Chapel that the Hebrew Bible uses the word "ger" - for stranger - as it commands kindness to strangers and aliens. "The Hebrew word ger appears in the Old Testament 92 times," Soerens said. "This is a consistent theme throughout scripture. Another speaker, the Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and senior pastor of the Lamb's Church in New York City, said about 40 percent of his congregation is undocumented immigrants. Read more here. "Nuestro Futuro" Rally in Orlando a Great Success
Talking Points Article
Fox News Latino Article National Journal Article Video: Evangélicos instan a latinos a vincularse a política Video: Importancia del Voto Hispano National Campaigns
NaLEC Photo Gallery      Mission Statement
The National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) is a national faith based network committed to loving people and pursuing justice for the advancement of the common good.   
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Endorsements from National Leaders
"The National Latino Evangelical Coalition brings a much needed voice of reason, faith, and compassion to our public square dialogues. They are a powerful force for a better future and I am honored to be associated with them."
Dr. Joel C. Hunter Senior Pastor, Northland – A Church Distributed |
"The Latino evangelical community in the US is a large, rapidly growing group. The National Latino Evangelical Coalition provides a significant voice for holistic ministry and a biblcially balanced agenda. The entire evangelical world needs to listen to this significant new voice."
Ronald J. Sider President, Evangelicals for Social Action |
"The world is hungry for faith - but not just any kind of faith. People are looking for faith in a God who cares about body soul and spirit. But they are also looking for a faith which tackles the big issues of injustice which they can't manage on their own. And this is why I am pleased to be associated with the National Latino evangelical Coalition." Rev. Joel Edwards Micah Challenge International |
“Just as the Latino population has grown dramatically, the need for a powerful voice for hungry and poor people has increased. God is working through the National Latino Evangelical Coalition to make real changes for people in need. Bread for the World values our partnership with NaLEC. We pray that God continues to bless Rev. Gabriel Salguero and the entire NaLEC board as they work to give voice to vulnerable people in the Latino community – a voice that has long been missing.”
Rev. David Beckmann President, Bread for the World. |
"God is using Rev Gabriel Salguero and the National Latino Evangelical Coalition to make a difference in the lives of thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am pleased to observe how this organization is touching lives and improving the quality of life for many."
Dr. Stan Toler Bestselling Author & General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene |
"I celebrate Rev. Gabriel Salguero's visionary prophetic leadership that has helped to birth the National Latino Evangelical Coalition as a Kingdom-of-God expression of our solidarity with our neighbors in need. NaLEC affords us the opportunity to come together with like-minded brothers and sisters to "be Christ" to our communities and our nation, to the glory of God!"
Dr. Jerry D. Porter General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene |
“In the spirit of Amos 5:24, our deeply fragmented world is in dire need of a renaissance of a collective voice to champion the cause of the neglected, oppressed, and the oft forgotten. NaLEC is committed to be a voice in the wilderness, raising awareness to the significance of the prophetic presence of faith in the public square.”
Dr. Oliver R. Phillips Director, Mission Support USA/Canada, Church of the Nazarene |
“The National Latino Evangelical Coalition is a welcomed partner in the multiple Evangelical communities that are working for the common good from an intentional Evangelical perspective. The over 9 million Latino Evangelicals and the nation as a whole can benefit from this prophetic voice. We are grateful to support the leadership of Gabriel Salguero and the entire board.”
Rev. Dr. Adolfo Carrión, Sr. Superintendent Emeritus, Assemblies of God Spanish Eastern District |
“Evangelicals have a long history of working on behalf of the least of these. We are so glad that this history has a new partner in the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. The coalition’s commitment to Biblical understandings of mercy and justice coupled with their indigenous Latino leadership is a powerful and needed voice in the public sphere. We stand proudly with them as they seek to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before their God.”
Rev. Dr. Marc Rivera President, COMPAS |
“The National Latino Evangelical Coalition is an idea whose time has come! I am excited about God will do through the work of Rev. Gabriel Salguero and his team, and am happy to be a a part of it.”
Dr. David Gushee Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Director, Center for Theology and Public Life Mercer University Chair, New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good |
"Gabe Salguero is a voice of evangelical and prophetic witness that is shaping the future expression of Christian faith in our country. The National Evangelical Latino Coalition will become an influential body supporting courageous and biblically rooted words and actions that will help shape the church into a more faithful presence and witness in our increasingly diverse culture. I thank God for this initiative."
Wes Granberg-Michaelson General Secretary, Reformed Church in America |
