1990 Church of God Resolution on Immigration

BECAUSE OF social, political, and economic circumstances, people from various parts of the world are immigrating in unprecedented numbers. These immigrants provide an evangelistic and discipleship challenge which must be recognized. This is an opportunity for the church to exemplify love and compassion as the gospel is ministered to these newcomers.

THEREFORE WE RESOLVE:

To receive these new arrivals with open fellowship, regardless of nationality, race, social or economic status

To create an awareness among the constituents of the Church of God of the needs of these immigrants, both physical and spiritual

To develop a liaison between sending and receiving countries, thus building bonds of respect and trust

To recognize the leaders among the immigrants and to disciple others to work within their own cultural group

To make existing buildings available for more than one language group

To pursue a vigorous emphasis of planting churches by every means possible

To recognize cultural differences and to allow for expressions of worship in the tradition of the immigrants

To weld the international church together by providing a systematic process for transfer of members from one country to another

To give ourselves to prayer, diligent research, and witnessing, to reap this great harvest during this last decade of the 20th century (63rd A., 1990, pp. 66, 67).