ISAAC: A Collaborative Effort to Serve Immigrants

Nothing must please the Father more when he sees brothers and sisters working together to serve the needs of our neighbors. Undocumented immigrants fit the description of the individual needing assistance in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Today you will find a front page story on www.buckner.org introducing ISAAC, a new ministry under the supervision of Felipe Garza, Vice President of the BCFS Church and Community Network. I would take the time to elaborate about ISAAC here but you can read about it on the Buckner webpage.

Having said that, you may encounter contrary voices regarding this new ministry. I have written several entries beginning June 15, 2007 on this blog that will provide my perspective on this issue. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Time Magazine dated June 18, 2007 with a front cover story entitled “Immigration: Why Amnesty Makes Sense.” At first glance, I thought, I am not sure I agree with amnesty since we tried that in the late 1980’s. However, as I read Nathan Thornburgh’s article “The Case for Amnesty,” I could not help but affirm his argument. I am not convinced wholesale amnesty is the answer but I really was helped by his argument. I think like most Americans, we know the system is broken and we want to see it fixed. Finding the right solution is the problem. We need to find a way to integrate the biblical teaching to obey the laws and to love our neighbors. We need to pray for our law-makers to arrive at an equitable solution to this problem by respecting the basic dignity of those among us who have come without documentation and by finding ways to secure our borders and enforce our laws.

As I stood in front of 2,000 messengers the annual meeting of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas in Austin to unveil ISAAC, I listened very carefully to what Suzii Paynter had to say as she introduced this new collaborative ministry between the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Buckner International.  She said, “We are not waiting for the federal government to find a solution to the immigration issue nor are we advocating a particular solution. What we are providing is a means to serve those who need help to become legal residents and citizens.” I told the messengers that we will bring the resources of Buckner International coupled with that of the BGCT to serve undocumented immigrants who lack appropriate information, who live in fear, and who are taken advantage of by people who say they are willing to assist them but end up deceiving them and taking their money with no real results. I told the assembly that we simply want to do what Jesus would do if he were here now.

ISAAC, Immigration Service and Aid Center, is designed to provide assistance to congregations who seek to minister to undocumented people in their communities. Richard Munoz, a Dallas attorney and new Director of ISAAC, will office at the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He will facilitate the training and orientation of congregations who seek to gain accreditation from the federal government. This new initiative is not so new. Back in 2002 and 2003 the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas passed a resolution to affirm congregations serving the “alien among us.” Later the Baptist General Convention also passed a resolution at their annual meeting affirming the HBCT and congregations serving undocumented immigrants. The BGCT commissioned an Immigration Task Force and named Patty Villarreal, BCFS Director of Community Ministries, as Chair. The BGCT created BISN, Baptist Immigration Services Network and later joined Buckner International to create ISAAC. We have been working on this issue as a Baptist family for several years. Pastors like Rev. Alex Camacho at Primera Iglesia Bautista in McKinney have been doing this ministry for over 20 years. We are not newcomers in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

All those involved in this process had a vision for helping the least of these. I have found in my ministry that vision comes before provision. When a vision for ministry connects with the heart of God, resources are not scarce. Just today I learned of a $250,000 grant from the CIOS Foundation to fund the ISAAC program. These funds will augment the resources of Buckner International and the CLC/BGCT to launch this ministry initiative. First vision, then provision! This is the way that God works. We obey and walk by faith. Trust and obey, for there is no other way…

Comments

[sara]

Brother Albert, thank you for all the information on immigration reform. I am excited about the ISSAC program. Praise God for the vision and the provision. Blessings! Sara

[Albert Reyes]

Sara, thanks for your affirmation. We have high hopes for this program. Praying that it will bless those who need help.