EPISODE 6 - The Local Church
How Congregational Leaders Can Act Now
In this episode of You Welcomed Me, a diverse group of Christian leaders discuss why welcoming immigrants and refugees is essential for Christians and their local churches. Looking to Scripture, including Jesus’ teaching that when we welcome a stranger we are welcoming Him, panelists offer insight about what local churches can do (and are doing) to help support immigrants and refugees in the name of Christ. This vital and collaborative conversation addresses the challenges and blessings of reaching out to strangers and foreigners in our midst.
Hosted by Pastor Peter Chin
A graduate of Yale University and Fuller Seminary, Peter Chin has pastored and planted churches in Los Angeles, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Seattle, and now serves as lead pastor of Rainier Avenue Church, located in one of the most culturally diverse zip codes of the United States. His advocacy work in racial reconciliation has been profiled in several national news outlets, including CBS Sunday Morning, the Washington Post, and NPR’s Tell Me More and All Things Considered. As a writer, Peter has been a frequent contributor to Christianity Today and RELEVANT Magazine, and writes the “Third Culture” column for Christianity Today. His first book is entitled Blindsided by God, a memoir of his wife’s fight against cancer while pregnant with their third child.
Featuring
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Gray
Dr. Elizabeth Gray was born and raised in South Africa and immigrated to the UK where she spent her formative years and became a High School math teacher. And then another transition, this time to the USA where Dr. Gray got her MA in International Education and a DMin in Pastoral Theology. She was ordained as an Anglican priest in 2013. After a number of years working at Restoration Anglican Church, Dr. Gray set out in 2017 to launch a church plant in South Arlington, VA, Incarnation Anglican Church, where she is challenged by how to do church in one of the most diverse areas of the country and during a pandemic. Dr. Gray is well acquainted with what it means to adjust to a new culture, climate and social norms.
Rev. Dr. David Ireland
Dr. David Ireland is founder and senior pastor of Christ Church, a 9,000-member multisite congregation in North Jersey representing over 70 nationalities. Former diversity consultant to the National Basketball Association, Dr. Ireland has led chapel services for the New York Giants, New York Jets, and at the U.S. Pentagon. Ireland has traveled to more than 75 nations and built a reputation of teaching culturally relevant messages that inspire and empower his global audiences. He is a well-respected columnist contributing to such media outlets like Fox News, Huffington Post, and Patheos. Dr. Ireland is the author of over 20 books and has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows including The Dr. Phil Show, The CBS Evening News, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family.
Rev. Dr. Joel Rainey
Dr. Joel Rainey is Lead Pastor at Covenant Church, Shepherdstown West Virginia. A former Christian missionary and denominational executive, his experience includes cultural exchange and engagement on five continents. His focus in these areas included church planting, economic development, education, civil society, and multi-faith engagement and dialogue. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, The Christian Post, and Christianity Today, and he has represented the evangelical perspective to news outlets such as The Baltimore Sun, and Al Jazeera. He holds degrees from North Greenville University (B.A.), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.).
Resources
Beyond Conflict
Casa Chirilagua
Matthew 25 Initiative
Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
World Relief