Pastor Jon Odom: Immigration directive to allow arrests in church violates my conscience

President Donald Trump’s directive that U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents may enter houses of worship to extract illegal immigrants crosses an inviolable line and sets a dangerous pattern for future presidents. While “the church” is not the physical building itself, but rather the people together who call Jesus "Lord," the building is a physical representation of the shared convictions, beliefs and practices of its members.

It is my conviction that when you set foot in a church building, you are entering an embassy of the Kingdom of God. And this is a kingdom bound by the laws of our king, who instructed us: “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 22:21) and “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). That does not mean that I would advocate for open borders or give those who unlawfully enter the country a free pass.



I respect the right of nations to define and defend their borders. I respect and am grateful that this is a country founded on the rule of law. I respect that the choice to illegally enter a country may result in being forcefully removed from that country.

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And I would call on all Christian pastors, and all whose sincerely held religious beliefs compel them to a posture of mercy toward immigrants, to peacefully refuse to comply with this directive. Removing inhibitions against forced entry into houses of worship positions the federal government to more readily invade sacred spaces in other ways. Imagine a future commander-in-chief from either side of the aisle who, seeing the precedent set by this action, sought to regulate the content of Sunday sermons or the topics of Christian education courses.

Imagine churches being forced to become mandatory reporters of illegal immigrants or other groups or risk losing their tax-exempt status. Imagine a Federal Thought Police auditing our creeds, statements of faith or standards for ordination and enforcing compliance with whatever social philosophy or dogma is en vogue (and in the White House) at the time. These things are not on the table now, but this directive sets such a trajectory.

As a younger adult, I was a missionary in Central America and saw firsthand the political and economic conditions that inspired countless thousands to make the dangerous trek to the United States. I cannot forget Narcissa, who raised her seven children in a 12-foot-by-12-foot shack with no running water on the side of a mountain. I cannot forget little Marilin and her brother, Mauricio, who were so clever, and so ambitious, and whose families felt so hamstrung because of where they lived.

I do not condone unlawful entry into this country, but I do understand the allure of America and why so many risk so much to make their home here. I have seen many pastor friends err in the extremes when it comes to making political commentary: They say nothing, or they comment on everything. In this polarized moment, when our collective chronic anxiety makes our conversational climate like a room full of fumes just waiting for a spark, I never want to be the one with a matchbook in my hands.

It is my ambition to be “subject to governing authorities” (Romans 13:1) and to “pray for kings and all those in authority” so that I may live a “peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). This I will strive to do and will lead our church to do; only do not expect me to willingly disobey the precepts of our holy Scriptures or cheerfully cooperate with the violation of the commands of our God..