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2 |Chances are you opened this toolkit because you’re seeking clarity on potential immigration policy changes as a new Presidential adminis-tration takes oce. You might also need guidance, encouragement or prayer during this time of heightened emotions and uncertainty.You aren’t alone — we feel it too. That’s why we created Equipped to Act: Understanding Immigration in Uncertain Times, to help you navi-gate one of the most divisive political topics: immigration. For over 80 years, World Relief has been serving refugees and other immigrants globally and in the U.S. Those 80 years have taught us a lot, and we want to share that knowledge with you. It is our desire to equip you not only with accurate information but also with the tools to faithfully respond.In this toolkit you’ll find the mission behind World Relief’s work, key policies to watch this year, important terms to know when it comes to immigration, explanations that counter the most common immigration myths and practical steps you can take to advocate in your community. Our hope is that this toolkit will help fill in the gaps when it comes to immigration policies and issues in the U.S. We thank you for commit-ting to seeking knowledge with an open heart, ensuring that our advo-cacy and decisions are guided by a deep understanding and a genuine desire to serve those experiencing the world’s greatest crises.INTRODUCTIONDEAR READER,

| 3World Relief is a global Christian humani-tarian organization. Our mission is to boldly engage in the world’s greatest crises in part-nership with the church.World Relief is a non-partisan organization — we will never endorse candidates or political parties. We are not, however, an apolitical organiza-tion — we actively encourage our lawmakers to pursue public policies guided by biblical principles. We are committed to the power of prayer, and we take seriously the biblical injunction to pray “for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2). We believe that immigration policies can and should ensure security for American citizens while demonstrating compassion and arming the dignity of immigrants. For more information, read up on our values and FAQ.INTRODUCTIONA LITTLE BIT ABOUT US:

4 |“Be doers of the word, not merely hearers.” James 1:22-25 For the past 80 years, World Relief has been known for engaging in the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. An import-ant part of that work has always been advocating on behalf of people in the most vulnerable situations, experiencing disease, hunger, ex-treme poverty and displacement.As a global Christian humanitarian organization, many times we get asked why? Why do we engage and what does politics have to do with helping people experiencing some of the hardest circumstances? A BIBLICAL CONVICTION Jesus taught us that part of the greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves — especially the ones that are often over-looked. Jesus noticed the people that went unnoticed all the time. TheSamaritan woman was shocked at Jesus’ acknowledgment of her. The bleeding woman, considered too unclean and cast away, was seen and healed. Since birth, Jesus himself faced persecution and was de-pendent on the goodwill of others.Loving our neighbor means noticing those around us and stepping out of our comfort zone. Loving our neighbor also means asking hard questions about why unjust conditions persist and stewarding the influence that God has entrusted to each of us to change them.This is what we consider biblical advocacy — leveraging our voice and our influence to encourage and persuade those in positions of govern-mental authority to pursue just and compassionate policies.Galatians 5:13 says, “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” OUR WHYOUR WHY

| 5GALATIANS 5:13 SAYS, “BUT DO NOT USE YOUR FREEDOM TO IN-DULGE THE FLESH; RATHER, SERVE ONE ANOTHER HUMBLY IN LOVE.”We have compelling biblical models for such ad-vocacy before governmental authorities. Moses reluctantly followed God’s call back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh, insisting that he let God’s people go. Esther first fasted, then courageously went before King Xerxes to plead for her people, ultimately being used by God to save her people in the face of genocide. Nathan boldly and cre-atively confronted King David with his complicity in injustice. And John the Baptist challenged King Herod — and paid for his advocacy with his life.God does not promise that every advocacy eort will be successful or without cost — but he does promise to be with us and guide us as we go “before governors and kings” as a testimony to Jesus and the values of his Kingdom (Matthew 10:18-19). And he tells us that he him-self will be our advocate (John 14:26, 1 John 2:1).We are required to respond to injustices with action, love and humility. Nowhere does God say to be filled with questions or let ourselves be stopped by the what-ifs. If we trust him, a God who loves justice, then we do our part and he will complete it.OUR HISTORY Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”Biblical advocacy has been a central way in which World Relief has partnered with the church throughout our 80-year history. In the 1960s, our leaders urged the Soviet government to grant safe passage to Soviet Christians seeking refuge in the U.S. During the early 1970s, we advocated for humanitarian aid into West Africa to prevent a geno-cide. In 1979, Grady Mangham, who with his wife, Evelyn, founded World Relief’s U.S. ministries, joined Mother Teresa and other religious leaders to urge President Carter and the U.S. Congress to expand refu-gee resettlement — which they did, in dramatic fashion, with the sign-ing of the Refugee Act.Throughout the 1980s, World Relief advocated for Central Americans fleeing civil war to be allowed to seek safety in the U.S. and World OUR WHY

6 |Relief’s executive director at the time, Jerry Ballard, traveled to Cuba to lobby Fidel Castro to release political prisoners.In the 1990s, World Relief president Art Gay joined other evangelical leaders in signing “An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation” recognizing the impact of environmental degradation. A few years later, the new World Relief president Clive Calver began raising the alarm of the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saha-ran Africa. Within a few years, President George W. Bush would sign the Presi-dent’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief after advocacy from World Relief and other Christian organizations.Our eorts have continued in the past few decades, as World Relief has ad-vocated for immigration reforms, even earning the attention of former Presi-dent Barack Obama in his 2010 National Prayer Breakfast address. And in 2012, we helped convene the Evangelical Immigra-tion Table, coalescing broad evangelical support around the need for immigration reforms.World Relief’s eorts have never been partisan: we never endorse or support particular candidates, but we do want to be stewards of our influence to im-plore Republicans and Democrats alike to pursue public policies that serve the common good, that protect the lives and dignity of those fleeing persecution and that ensure the ability of churches and Christian ministries to live out their faith.Click here for a video timeline of our 80-year history working with refugees.1960s1970s197920121990sLeaders urged the Soviet government to grant safe passage to those seeking refuge in the U.S.Advocated for humanitarianaid into West Africa.Grady & Evelyn Mangham urge U.S. Government to expand refugee resettlement.Helped to convene the Evangelical Immigration Table.Along with other evangelical leaders, World Relief President, Art Gay recognizes the impact of environmental degradation.OUR WHY

| 7People have been migrating since the beginning of time — we can even trace numerous examples in the Bible of migration for vari-ous reasons. Abraham and Sarah were called by God and migrated to Canaan. After a severe famine in Canaan, Jacob and his family migrated to Egypt. When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt after God freed them from slav-ery, they had to migrate to the Promised Land. And, we can’t forget about Mary and Joseph fleeing King Herod’s decree after Jesus was born by migrating to Egypt. But the legal terms and dierent ways of talking about migra-tion aren’t as timeless. There are labels thrown out in every direc-tion, across TV ads and social media and even by politicians, so it’s no wonder we have a hard time keeping all of them straight. Below, you’ll find some of the most common key terms related BEYOND THE LABELto immigration, with their mean-ing. This is meant to serve as a point of reference for your learn-ing as you courageously engage on the topic of immigration.It’s important to note that these terms are just that — terms. They do not reflect the whole identity of a person. God has made each and every one of us in his image with dreams, skills, fears, hopes and a distinct purpose. In our diverse world, refugees and other immigrants are often reduced to mere labels or stereotypes over-shadowing their intrinsic worth. To combat that, we have includ-ed stories about people who, for now, identify with one of these terms as part of their journey. Our hope is that while you learn, you will be impacted by the sto-ries of God’s beloved sons and daughters from all over the world seeking refuge. GOD HAS MADE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN HIS IMAGE WITH DREAMS, SKILLS, FEARS, HOPES AND A DISTINCT PURPOSE. BEYOND THE LABEL

8 |Immigrant: A person who moves from one country to live in anoth-er country permanently.Beyond the label: Meet TodunMigrant: A person who moves from one place to another (within their country or internationally), usually to find work or better living conditions. This can be either temporary or permanent.Refugee: Someone who leaves their country because it’s dan-gerous or unsafe for them to stay, often due to war or perse-cution. They seek safety in anoth-er country.Beyond the label: Meet Souzan, Willie and FarahSponsor: A person or an or-ganization that supports and takes responsibility for someone coming to live in a new country, helping them through the immi-gration process.Beyond the label: Meet Julie and AmaniAsylum Seeker: A person who has left their country and is asking for protection in another country because they are afraid of returning home due to threats of harm or persecution and their government cannot or will not protect them.Beyond the label: Yousif’s StoryDACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): A program in the U.S. that provides tempo-rary protection from deportation and work permits to some young people who were brought to the country without documentation as children.Beyond the label: Meet Liz and ItzaDocumented vs Undocumented:• Documented: Refers to people who have the legal papers (like visas or green cards) that allow them to live and work in a country. • Undocumented: Refers to people who are living in a country without the legal papers or permission to stay. Beyond the label: Meet RosalinaIMMIGRATION GLOSSARYIMMIGRATION GLOSSARYDefinitions and legal terms have been simplified for understanding.

| 9Asylum: The protection granted by a country to someone who has fled their own country be-cause of a threat that has been verified by the government. Citizenship: Being a member of a country with specific rights and responsibilities. Citizens usually have the right to vote, work and live in that country, and they are also expected to follow its laws and contribute to society.Green Card (or Permanent Res-ident Card): An ocial docu-ment that lets a person live and work in the U.S. permanently as a lawful permanent resident.Immigration Status: The legal situation or category of a person living in a country, like citizen-ship, permanent residency or on a temporary visa.Parole: Temporary permission for individuals who are ineligible for a visa to lawfully enter and stay in a country, often granted for humanitarian or national interest reasons but it doesn’t mean per-manent residency.Visa: A document or stamp on a passport that gives someone per-mission to enter, stay in or leave a country for a specific period and purpose, like tourism, busi-ness or study.Work Permit: A document that allows a person to work legally in a country for a certain period of time. It’s often required if some-one is not a citizen or a perma-nent resident.Sources: https://www.unhcr.org/glossary, https://www.uscis.gov/tools/glossaryIMMIGRATION GLOSSARY

10 |2025 POLICY WATCH LIST:4 Key Policy Shifts Amidst the New Presidential AdministrationAs we approach an upcoming change in administration, we want to share a summary of potential changes and challenges refugees and other immigrants in the United States might face in the coming months. While there have been a lot of campaign promises, there are also legal, fiscal and logistical barriers to some of what has been pro-posed. In reality, we do not know for sure what will happen, but our goal is to help you understand the big picture and to equip you with the information you need to advocate for our refugee and immigrant neighbors with courage, clarity and love. Read on to better understand the upcoming potential changes for ref-ugees, other immigrants and our communities.*REFUGEE RESETTLEMENTLet’s start with the landscape of possible changes to the refugee ceil-ing. This is #1 on our Watch List.The Refugee Act of 1980 set the precedent for the president to set a limit for resettlement numbers, that is, the number of refugees who will be accepted into the United States with refugee status on an annual basis. We are expecting that President-elect Trump will significantly reduce or halt all refugee arrivals to the United States within the first week of his taking oce, as he promised several times throughout his campaign. This change would likely be within the rights of President-elect Trump to act on unilaterally via an Executive Order, and we are expecting this to occur within the first month, if not first day, of his new administra-*This content does not take the place of formal legal advice from a lawyer. Please consult a legal professional for advice and specific assistance. POLICY WATCH LIST

| 11Now what about policy changes for immigrants already in the United States? The incoming administration has made bold promises, and many immigrants in our communities, as well as advocates for our newest neighbors, are understandably worried. Here are some of the key areas to watch: OTHER IMMIGRATION POLICIEStion. A significant reduction of the refugee ceiling would mean families will remain separated, religious minorities will continue to live at risk of persecution and displacement will continue to exacerbate vulnerabili-ties for women and children in particular. At World Relief, we believe the U.S. has a moral obligation to oer refuge to those fleeing war, persecution and poverty. While facing the worst displacement crisis in the history of the world, we also believe it’s our responsibility as Christians to put our faith into action by wel-coming the stranger. TAKE ACTION: Advocate for the Refugee Resettlement CeilingMASS DEPORTATIONThe President-elect and individ-uals whom he has named to key leadership roles within his admin-istration have promised “the larg-est deportation in U.S. history”. They have cited dierent num-bers for how many people they intend to deport. While the exact number who will face removal proceedings is uncertain—there are logistical and legal barriers to enacting such a policy—more than 11 million individuals in the U.S. could be vulnerable to de-portation under current law. The scale of such an initiative would be unprecedented. TAKE ACTION: Advocate to keep families togetherTEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS)This program currently shields over 860,000 individuals from countries facing extreme crises, like natural disasters or conflict. If protections are rolled back, these individuals could lose their ability to live and work in the U.S. legally. Similarly, many individuals who lawfully entered the United States through parole sponsor-ship programs for specific coun-tries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti and Ukraine could eventu-ally be vulnerable to deportation if the administration would ter-minate parole, which would be within their authority to do. TAKE ACTION: Advocate for the Afghan Adjustment ActPOLICY WATCH LIST

12 |DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA)Over half a million young people—sometimes called Dreamers—are protected by this program, which allows them to live, work, and study without fear of deportation. These young men and women, many of whom have only ever known the U.S. as their home, could also see their fu-tures threatened. President-elect Trump has indicated his desire to find a bipartisan legislative solu-tion to protect certain Dreamers from deportation, which is en-couraging, but it’s unclear if Con-gress will be able to reach such consensus.TAKE ACTION: Advocate for DACA Let’s pause for a moment here. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when hearing about these poten-tial changes. But we don’t share this information to stoke fear. Instead, we’re here to encourage preparedness, hope and action. The Bible reminds us that we have very clear instructions for what to do when we witness the mistreatment of the poor and the foreigner. In Ezekiel 22:29-30, God laments the absence of someone willing to “stand in the gap” to intercede and act on behalf of the oppressed. This passage highlights the need for individuals and communities to step into the broken places of the world with courage, compassion and justice.Here are three ways you can take action today:Give - Join the Path, our monthly giving community, to maximize your contribution and our eorts as we serve the immigrant and refugee communities around our nation.Advocate - Contact your elected ocials, talk to your family and friends and keep learning to stay informed on the ways policies are aecting your community.Pray - Pray through the prayer prompts at the end of this toolkit for our elected ocials, for our hearts to be tender to the needs of our neighbors and for God to be close during uncertain times. In the weeks ahead, as new pol-icies emerge, we’ll continue to walk this road together. The God we serve is a God who sees the vulnerable and walks with the weary. As you listen to the sto-ries of those impacted by these changes, you’ll be stepping into their lives in the same way Christ stepped into ours—with compas-sion and love. STAND IN THE GAP: GIVE, ADVOCATE, PRAYPOLICY WATCH LIST

COMMONIMMIGRATION MYTHS,DEBUNKED.

14 |Listed below you’ll find common miscon-ceptions on immigration and narratives around the U.S.-Mexico border followed by factual corrections and supporting data points with links. Truth: Immigration actually has positive economic impacts. Refugees and other immigrants contribute to the economy by filling essential jobs, starting businesses and paying taxes. Studies have shown that refugees and other immigrants, both documented and undocumented, contribute more to the economy in taxes than they receive in benefits. Refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion over a 15 year period; this is consistent with earlier research that found that, within 20 years of their arrival, the average refugee adult has contributed approximately $21,000 more in taxes than funds spent on their behalf. According to American Immigration Council, immi-grants are more likely to be active in the labor force and also harness a$1.6trillion spending power. Truth: Refugees and other immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than native- born Americans. This is supported by evidence from Texas, the only state that tracks the immigration legal status of felony convictions. Additionally, studies have shown that areas with higher immigrant populations tend to have lower crime rates. While unlawful entry into the country can be a crim-inal oense, unlawful presence — including for the roughly half of all undocumented immigrants who entered on a temporary visa but over-stayed — is not technically a crime but a civil infraction.MYTH #1MYTH #2IMMIGRATION IS A DRAIN ON THE ECONOMY.REFUGEES AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS INCREASE CRIME RATES.WOULD YOU RATHER WATCH THAN READ? Listen to Matthew Soerens, VP of Ad-vocacy and Policy, answer the most common questions about immigration and refugee resettlement.““””IMMIGRATION MYTHS

Truth: Refugees and other immigrants often take jobs that Americans are unwilling to do, especially in industries like agriculture, construc-tion and hospitality.The American Immigration Council reports that immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture (26%), construction (15%) and hospitality (17%). They contribute to economic growth by filling labor shortages, which can create more jobs for everyone. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Re-search found that immigration has a small but positive eect on the wages of native-born workers overall.Truth: Seeking asylum is a long-standing legal right protected by both domestic and international law. The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the right to all individuals to seek asylum regardless of how they enter a country, including crossing between points of entry. Long-standing U.S. law says that any person who is physically present in the U.S. or who “arrives” at the border must be given an opportunity to seek asylum.MYTH #3MYTH #4REFUGEES AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS ARE TAKING JOBS AWAY FROM AMERICANS.SEEKING ASYLUM AT THE BORDER IS ILLEGAL.““””

Truth: Persecuted Christians are indeed among the immigrants seeking refuge and asylum through the U.S. southern border. Christians, like individuals of other religious or cultural backgrounds, may flee their countries due to persecution, violence or other forms of hardship. Globally, more than 365 million Chris-tians suer from persecution or discrimination, as revealed by the 2024 State of the Golden Door report published by Open Doors US and World Relief. Such persecution may force them to flee their homes, joining the 120 million dis-placed because of faith-based persecution. The report noted the necessity of a robust asylum process for those who reach the U.S. after having fled such religious persecution. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Orga-nization for Migration (IOM), document cases of Christians fleeing persecution in various regions of the world, including Central and South America. News outlets and advocacy groups have highlighted cases of persecuted Christians seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border, often fleeing violence or religious per-secution in countries such as Mexico and Honduras.MYTH #5PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS ARE NOT PART OF THE IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO COME THROUGH THE U.S. SOUTHERN BORDER.“”

| 17MYTH #6MYTH #7MOST FENTANYL IN THE U.S. IS BROUGHT BY IMMIGRANTS WHO CROSS THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER ILLEGALLY.CHRISTIANS DON’T WANT THEIR PASTORS TO PREACH ON POLITICS OR IMMIGRATION IN CHURCH. Truth: The majority of fentanyl that enters the U.S. comes through legal ports of entry, primarily through international mail or express consignment shipments. While some drugs may be smuggled across the border illegally, the main sources of fentanyl are not associated with unauthorized border crossings. In fiscal year 2022, 89% of convicted fentanyl trackers were U.S. citizens, and 93% of fentanyl seized in fiscal year 2023 was at legal crossing points or interior checkpoints. In January 2024, more than 95% of fentanyl seized was at lawful ports of entry. Truth: According to Lifeway research, 82% of evangelical Christians would value hearing a sermon on how biblical values can apply to the current U.S. immigration situation. 70% believe Christians have a responsibility to care sacrificially for refugees and other foreigners. The church is precisely where Christians should be seeking their leaders and theologians to engage in a biblical perspective on what is happening around them, their community and the world. The Bible teaches Christians to love their neighbors as themselves and to show hospitality to strangers. Throughout history, immigrants have been welcomed and supported by religious communities, including evangeli-cal Christians, who see it as a calling to care for those in need.””““IMMIGRATION MYTHS

18 |MYTH #8ALLOWING IMMIGRANTS INTO THE COUNTRY THREATENS NATIONAL SECURITY.Truth: While it’s important to have secure borders, the vast majority of immigrants are not a threat to national security. Most immigrants come to the U.S. to seek refuge from violence, persecution, or poverty in their home countries. Properly managed immigration processes can enhance national security by facilitating the screening of individuals entering the country. The Cato Institute reports that the chances of being killed in a terrorist attack committed by a foreigner on U.S. soil are 1 in 3.6 million per year. According to the Migration Policy Institute, the vetting process for refugees and immi-grants entering the United States involves multiple security checks by various government agencies.”“IMMIGRATION MYTHS

| 19So far, you’ve read why advocacy is such an important part of practic-ing our faith as Christians as well as important terms to know in immi-gration. You may also have explored the stories beyond the labels to learn how immigration impacts real people. Together, we’ve debunked the most common immigration myths that perpetuate the misinforma-tion in the news and social media. Now, it’s time to put that information into courageous action by prac-ticing advocacy. Oftentimes, when we hear anything related to advoca-cy, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. Or, if you’ve been an advocate for a while, you wonder what else there is you can do. We’ve broken it down into 10 steps. Wherever you are in your journey as an advocate, our hope is that you will find these helpful in expand-ing your advocacy in your community. PRACTICAL ADVOCACYPRACTICAL ADVOCACY

20 |#1: CONSIDER YOUR PROXIMITYFirst, get to know your neighbors and be around those who are in need. You have to listen and learn to see what life is like through their eyes. If you want to be an advocate, proximity is important.#2: RECOGNIZE YOUR BLINDSPOTSAs you get to know others in your community, you will begin to rec-ognize your privileges, the dierences in your life experiences and any blindspots you may have about the issues you want to advocate for. Recognizing these blindspots is key for eective advocacy because it helps you see where you might need to do some more learning or shift your thinking. • Invite one of our leaders to speak at your church. • Complete The Refugee’s Journey as a group to educate members about immigration issues, including biblical perspectives, current policies and the experiences of immigrants.#3: PRACTICE MUTUAL HOSPITALITYMutual hospitality simply means being curious and understanding that welcoming and serving others is a give-and-receive opportunity. And perhaps most importantly, it’s a way of life. One of the most practical ways we can love and advocate for people is to be ready to receive them — whatever that looks like — and acknowledge their inherent dig-nity in Christ along the way. • Build relationships with immigrant and refugee communities in your local area, listening to their stories, understanding their needs and oering support by practicing reciprocal hospitality.WELCOMING AND SERVING OTHERS IS A GIVE-AND-RECEIVE OPPORTUNITY.PRACTICAL ADVOCACY

| 21#4: AMPLIFY FIRSTSpeak up for those whose voices are not being heard. Immigrant voices are not voiceless people but they are often ignored, purposely quieted or set to the side. Most of the time, people know what they need. They just need the opportunity and the space to ask for it and be heard.• Publicly arm the dignity and humanity of all immigrants, chal-lenging negative stereotypes and rhetoric that dehumanize immi-grant communities. • Listen to and share the unique stories of refugees and immigrants from around the world. #5: PRAYWe believe in the power of prayer. Any advocacy action you take should be first rooted in prayer, trusting God for the outcomes. As you put yourself in close proximity with those in need, practice mutual hos-pitality and learn how to amplify their voices, you will also learn how to pray for them specifically and be intentional with those prayers.• Pray together as a church community, dedicating time during ser-vices or in small groups to pray for immigrants, refugees, policy-makers and all those aected by immigration policies. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES IN YOUR LOCAL AREA, LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES, UNDERSTANDING THEIR NEEDS AND OFFERING SUPPORT BY PRACTICING RECIPROCAL HOSPITALITY.PUBLICLY AFFIRM THE DIGNITY AND HUMANITY OF ALL IMMIGRANTS.PRACTICAL ADVOCACY

22 |#6: GET IN YOUR COMMUNITYThis can look a variety of ways. You can volunteer for organizations like World Relief, which has been working with refugees and other immi-grants for decades, or other non-profits in your community. You can support local businesses, attend community meetings or join the local school board. The list could go on. Whatever you can do to become an integral part of your community will help you be an eective communi-ty advocate.• Volunteer or partner with your local World Relief oce to pro-mote immigrant integration, empowerment and justice. #7: HARNESS THE POWER OF YOUR DOLLARMake sure the products that you buy and the places that you donate align with your values and the things that are important to you. Specif-ically, many immigrants and refugees are entrepreneurs and go on to start their own businesses so be sure to support them.• Give to World Relief to support refugee work that needs financial support to sustain them during the uncertainty of the federal refu-gee resettlement program. #8: TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILYIf there’s something you care about, talk to your people about it. Have conversations filled with grace, love and also truth. This is a very practical and very tangible way to practice advocacy in your everyday life. As you talk to your family and friends about the issues you care about, invite them to join you in your advocacy. There is power in our collec-tive action, so don’t feel like you need to go at it alone.IF THERE’S SOMETHING YOU CARE ABOUT, TALK TO YOUR PEOPLE ABOUT IT. PRACTICAL ADVOCACY

| 23• Lead a Workshop course or do the Welcoming the Stranger study in your church small groups and ministry teams. • Do the “I Was a Stranger” Challenge — a 40-day Scripture-read-ing guide, in a group or individually. • If you are a church leader, preach and teach on welcoming at your congregation. #9: KEEP LEARNING!Continue learning about the issues you care about. Read books by people most closely connected to the issues. Get to know people and continue learning from their dierent experiences.• Use these resources to explore more on immigration from a bibli-cal and humanitarian lens. • Additional resources on the U.S.-Mexico border.#10: ENGAGE IN YOUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITYLast but not least, of course, is to engage in your civic responsibility. Vote in local and national elections, contact your representatives and talk to them about the things you care about. The more you act, the easier it gets, and we must take advantage of the great privilege we have of living in a place where our voices can be heard.• Encourage church members to engage in advocacy eorts by con-tacting elected ocials, signing petitions and supporting cam-paigns for fair and compassionate immigration policies.WE MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GREAT PRIVILEGE WE HAVE OF LIVING IN A PLACE WHERE OUR VOICES CAN BE HEARD.PRACTICAL ADVOCACY

PRAYER PROMPTSAnd this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 Prayer is worship. It is speaking with our great God in a resting place. It is also where God moves within us, prompting our hearts to beat with purpose. While facts and information fill our minds, it is the state of our hearts that concerns God the most. But sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin. Our hope is that these guided prayers help you pray through specific topics on immigration and policy to grow closer to the heart of God. Audio recordings are provided for some of the prayers to give you a jumpstart in your prayer time. Just click the link under the QR code to listen.

| 25A PRAYER FOR THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW PRESIDENT AND FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS by Matthew Soerens, VP of Advocacy and PolicyLord,Your Word instructs us to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” We bring before you the newly inaugurated president as well as all representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress and many others serving in positions of authority at every level. We thank you for a peaceful transfer of power, regardless of whether our preferred candidates won or lost.We pray that you would grant each of our leaders wisdom, humility and courage to govern our nation in ways that serve the common good, that preserve the rights of all people to practice their faith, and that prioritize the wellbeing of those who are vulnerable amidst the great crises facing our world, including the poor, orphans, refugees and other immigrants. We pray this in the name of our King, Jesus, at whose name one day every knee shall bow, Amen.PRAYER PROMPTSUNSPLASH PHOTO BY CHRIS HENRY

26 |A PRAYER FOR PROXIMITY AND BOLD SERVICE by Rodney Greener, Volunteer at World Relief MemphisFather, I praise you for this day and the opportunities that come with it to surrender my life to you and to be used by you to touch the lives of others — not in my strength, but through your power and wisdom. As your divine plan unfolds today, grant me the boldness to share your words to transform the lives of the people around me. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. Even with dierences in language, customs and beliefs, please provide the understanding to bridge those dierences. Keep me within a genuine desire to serve while also ready to receive from your image bearers, remembering that they also have much to give.May anyone I meet or serve today see your heart reaching out to them in the midst of their life circumstances. Draw them to you, open their eyes to see your great love for them and may you receive all the glory. Thank you that my life is enriched through obedience as my heart comes in line with yours, desiring that no one should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. Thanks for this opportu-nity to serve you. I pray this in Jesus’ name.UNSPLASH PHOTO BY CHRIS HENRYListen to the recording here.PRAYER PROMPTS

| 27A PRAYER FOR SEEKING TRUTH AND DISCERNMENT IN OUR ADVOCACY by Jess Galván, Content Writer for World Relief and AdvocateGod Almighty, Your Holy Spirit fills us with the capacity to pursue justice and to de-clare the truth when lies surround us and our neighbors. You are a God of justice and truth. Your love for each and every one of us transcends borders, policies and misinformation. All of us are made in your image and we pray for this truth to be the strongest reminder in our hearts as we engage in a season that can stretch our understanding. Help us lean on Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” In our pursuit of the truth, guide and direct us so that we are genuinely transformed to live out a bold love for our neighbor, the foreigner and the sojourner. Remind us that love and compassion is not a sign of weakness but of our direct resolve to be like Jesus.Give us the courage to advocate and arm the dignity of refugees and other immigrants fleeing the most horrifying of circumstances. Prompt us to move, rooted in a faith anchored in love. May the Holy Spirit serve as our dependable guide, showing us the way. Amen.Listen to the recording here.PRAYER PROMPTS

28 |A PRAYER FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND DISCOURSE by Kathryn Freeman, National Advocacy and Operations SpecialistDear Heavenly Father,Thank you for the gift of community and the dierence in creativ-ity, knowledge and abilities that exist within our community. Lord, we are in a challenging time where dierence threatens to divide us rather than unite us under a common purpose to love you and our neighbors. This divide has made it dicult to share our hearts and our struggles. But Lord, we know you are bigger and nothing will conquer your Bride — the church. So, we pray for wisdom and discernment in our conversations about the very real issues facing our neighbors and our families. Things that seem political but have an impact on the flourishing of those around us, on their ability to work, feed their families, send their kids to school, breathe clean air, drive on safe roads and live healthy and fulfilling lives. Knowing this, we pray against the spirit of fear that would silence us when we need to be loud and the spirit of pride that keeps us from listening to others share their hearts and struggles.We pray that in discussing the real impacts of policy decisions by our elected leaders that we would be led by the fruits of the spirit: kindness, peace, gentleness, self-control, joy, patience, and most of all, love. Love for justice, love for our neighbors and their well-be-ing, love for the least and the lost but most of all, Lord, love for you, God.Amen.Listen to the recording here.PRAYER PROMPTS

| 29A PRAYER FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND OTHER IMMIGRANTS IN MEXICO AND AT THE BORDER by Pastora Adriana, Pastor of Church Partner in Tijuana, MexicoOriginal Spanish: Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, Te damos gracias por este nuevo amanecer, el cual trae nuevos retos. Rogamos por los retos de las personas en movilidad, para que encuen-tren a su paso, personas, iglesias y comunidades que les den un espa-cio para descansar, un alimento para recobrar fuerzas y una palabra de aliento, en donde sea reflejada tu paz, que sobrepasa el entendimiento. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.Translated from original Spanish: Our Father in heaven, We thank you for this new dawn, which brings with it new challenges. We pray for those on the move, that they may find their way, people, churches and communities that can oer them a place of rest, food to regain strength and words of encouragement, where your peace, which surpasses all understanding, may be reflected. In Jesus’ name, Amen.PRAYER PROMPTS

30 |A PRAYER FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND IMMIGRANTS AT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA/MEXICO BORDER by Rev. Liliana Reza, Director of Border EngagementGod of great mercy and love, Be with those who find themselves on the migrant journey. We pray for unaccompanied children, families and individuals who are desperately seeking refuge and safety. For many, the journey is long and full of unknowns so we pray for courage, strength and peace. Holy Spirit be near. God of great mercy and love, You are not bound by walls and borders. Grant us the courage to be the church, you have called us to be. Grant us the boldness to be a people that live generously out of kindness and compassionate hospi-tality. Jesus, we want to be more like you. Holy Spirit guide us. Amen.PRAYER PROMPTS