ABHMS stands with Baptist Joint Committee denouncing immigration executive order

VALLEY FORGE, PA (1/30/17)—As a cooperating member of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) stands in solidarity with the BJC’s statement related to last week’s executive order on immigration.

Calling the order a “back-door bar” on Muslim refugees, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler points out in the statement that it is part of Baptist DNA to stand with those who face religious persecution around the world—no matter where they are or where they come from.

ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray applauds Tyler’s take on this “troubling” order that suspends visas for immigrants and non-immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and halts a refugee resettlement program. A major focus of ABHMS’ 20th century ministry was refugee resettlement; the organization has resettled more than 100,000 individuals since the end of World War II.

With great concern about the implications of the recent executive order, Haggray said its ministry partner BJC “has the full backing of American Baptist Home Mission Societies” related to last week’s assault on religious liberty.

 American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists in answering God’s call to promote Christian faith across the United States and Puerto Rico to cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and heal and transform communities, by developing aligned action networks and programs.

 American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with more than 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.