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Dear Central Vineyard,

Over the past weeks and months, many of us have been watching the news with a growing heaviness. Much of the national rhetoric aimed at immigrant communities has been deeply dehumanizing and frightening. And for many in our own congregation and neighborhood, these aren’t abstract stories. They touch real families, real friends, and real people we worship and live alongside.

As pastors, we want to speak into this moment with clarity and care. From the earliest days of the church, Christians have held to a simple and profound truth: every human being bears the very image of God (Gen. 1:26–27). St. Basil the Great put it plainly in the fourth century: “The human person is a creature who has received the order to become God by grace.” In other words, human dignity is not something the world confers or removes. It’s woven into the very fabric of our being by our Creator.

That means our immigrant neighbors are not issues, categories, or threats. They are bearers of God’s image. They are neighbors Jesus commands us to love. And they are a vital part of the community God is shaping here at Central Vineyard.

We know that immigrant communities in Columbus are feeling real fear right now. So to our immigrant neighbors, and to those in our church who are living with real uncertainty: you are not alone. You belong with us. Your dignity and safety matter deeply to God and to this congregation. We refuse to allow political identity or national rhetoric to relativize the image of God in any human being.

As the catalytic early leader of the Vineyard, John Wimber often said, “The meat is in the street.” By that he meant that real discipleship happens as we show up in the lives of the people God has placed around us; especially the vulnerable, the overlooked, and the afraid. This moment is one of those places where discipleship has to take on flesh.

As a church, we’re going to advocate for protection, justice, and peace in our city. We’ll continue to pray and offer pastoral support and practical help where needed—extending hospitality, showing up for one another, and taking every opportunity to offer presence to our neighborhood in ways that honor safety and trust. And we’re going to keep listening, because we don’t assume we know best what our immigrant neighbors need.

But love also calls us to be attentive and active. As we endeavor to love practically, live generously, and engage suffering, we’re asking our congregation to be especially vigilant right now: pay attention to what’s happening in your relationships, in your neighborhoods, and in the wider community. Advocate for the wellbeing of your immigrant neighbors where you have influence—whether that’s offering transportation, helping someone access information, supporting local organizations, speaking up when you hear dehumanizing language, or simply checking in with someone who might be afraid.

We don’t want fear to govern this moment. We want love to guide us, for “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). We believe the Holy Spirit can help us become a community where love for our immigrant neighbors is ever more visible and tangible.

This letter is meant to clearly state what we hope is becoming a growing awareness for anyone seeking to follow Jesus: dehumanizing language toward immigrants and refugees—however they may have found their way to the United States—is not something the church can tolerate. As a church, we will care for immigrants and refugees as we would Christ himself.

Come, Holy Spirit. Cleanse what is unclean. Water what is parched. Heal what is wounded.

As a member of the Central Vineyard community, if you find it helpful in your missional posture to share this note with your friends, please feel free to share the link to this letter.

Blessings to you,

Parker Frey, Pastor
Jared Patrick Boyd, Pastor