The Board of General Superintendents has consistently called the Church of the Nazarene to show compassion for immigrants and refugees. At its February 2025 meeting, the Board of General Superintendents reaffirmed the 2015 BGS statement on immigration that reads:
The significant global immigration and the divisive political debate in many nations compel the Board of General Superintendents to speak clearly and biblically to this challenging topic, inviting all Nazarenes to express Christian love to immigrants who live among us:
The Hebrew word gēr and the Greek word xenos can be defined as “immigrant.”
“If an immigrant dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The immigrant who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33–34, NKJV). Our Lord quoted, “Love him as yourself,” as part of the Greatest Commandment!
Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was an immigrant and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35, NIV).
“Do not forget to show hospitality to immigrants, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels” (Hebrews 13:2, NIV).
While we recognize the complexity of immigration laws in various nations, the Board of General Superintendents calls on Nazarenes around the world:
- To treat immigrants with love, respect, and mercy.
- To participate sacrificially in local, national, and global compassionate ministry responses to assist refugees and immigrants.
- To encourage their respective governments to approve equitable laws that will allow for family reunification, legal work permits for productive immigrants in the workforce, and pathways for undocumented immigrants to be able to obtain authorized immigrant status.
- To follow the clear biblical mandate to love, welcome, assist, evangelize, and disciple the immigrants near us.
-- Board of General Superintendents