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Public Declaration on the Sanctity of Places of Worship, Human Dignity, and Just Immigration Enforcement
- National Latino Evangelical Coalition
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
January 2026
A Statement by Evangelical Pastors, Leaders, and Organizations - Convened by the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
As Evangelical pastors, leaders, and Christian organizations - shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and committed to the common good - we speak with deep concern and pastoral resolve regarding recent events in Minnesota, including a public protest that entered a church, and the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to remove places of worship from its list of protected sensitive locations.
Churches and houses of worship are sacred spaces. They exist to worship God, to serve the vulnerable, to form consciences, and to offer refuge for prayer, discernment, and pastoral care. The freedom of religion enshrined in our Constitution is not merely the right to believe privately, but the freedom to live out our faith publicly - without fear, intimidation, or disruption.
From a Gospel-centered perspective, we affirm that every human being is created in the image of God and possesses inherent, God-given dignity. This belief requires us to speak with moral clarity, conviction, and sobriety in this moment.
On Protest and the Sanctity of the Church
We affirm and respect the right to nonviolent, peaceful protest in our democracy. Faith communities have long stood alongside movements that seek justice - especially for immigrants and those pushed to the margins. However, protest - no matter how deeply felt - must respect the sanctity of places of worship. Entering or disrupting sacred space undermines the moral witness of the cause itself and risks turning houses of prayer into sites of division rather than reconciliation.
On Immigration Enforcement and Sensitive Locations
At the same time, we have consistently called on the federal government, including DHS and ICE, to honor churches and places of worship as protected sacred spaces. The removal of these protections is deeply concerning. Indiscriminate immigration enforcement that instills fear, separates families, and destabilizes entire communities is inconsistent with both our nation’s values and basic principles of justice.
Our Both-And Moral Conviction
We reject false binaries and affirm a morally serious, Gospel-rooted approach:
• We support the detention and removal of individuals who commit violent crimes and pose a genuine threat to public safety.
• We insist on due process for all people - citizens and immigrants alike - and reject enforcement practices that treat entire communities as suspects or collateral damage.
Law enforcement officers carry out difficult and often dangerous work and deserve respect and dignity. Immigrant families seeking refuge, safety, and opportunity deserve the same. These commitments are not in conflict; they are rooted in the same moral soil of justice, accountability, and human dignity.
A Word to Christian Leaders
The church is called to bear faithful witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ. When Christian leaders align themselves with practices that harm the vulnerable or compromise the church’s pastoral and prophetic role, the credibility of our witness is at risk.
The church ought not be perceived as an extension of state enforcement against those the Scripture repeatedly calls us to welcome, protect, and shepherd. Faithful Christian leadership requires moral clarity, pastoral wisdom, and courage rooted in the way of Christ.
Our Call
In this moment, we call on:
• The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to restore and respect protections for places of worship and uphold religious freedom.
• Protesters and advocates pursue peaceful witness and prophetic advocacy that honors sacred spaces and reflect the dignity of the causes we champion.
• Evangelical pastors and faith leaders to speak prophetically, act pastorally, and model nonviolence, integrity, and Christ-centered leadership.
The Gospel calls us to love our neighbor, welcome the stranger, pursue justice, and honor the rule of law - without fear, hatred, or dehumanization. We can have immigration policies that protect public safety and uphold human dignity. We can engage in protest that is civil, nonviolent, and morally compelling.
May we choose a path forward that reflects the best of our faith, the highest ideals of our nation, and our solidarity with the most vulnerable.
Affirmation: Evangelical pastors, leaders, churches, and organizations who agree with this declaration are invited to share it publicly as an expression of affirmation.
