In April this year, I was in my car, coming out of the gym, and I turned on the radio to catch the tail end of a Christian radio program from Bellingham. I parked up and listened to the Pastor wrapping things up. He started talking about politics, and how things are going downhill. Then he went off about immigrants, saying they’re not fitting in or “assimilating”, and that they’re ruining the country. He also mentioned Canada as having more “Canadian citizens of foreign origin”, and changing the fabric of the country for worse.
Hearing this, I was deeply disappointed. It made me feel unwelcome and as if I was being labelled as a degrader of society. I couldn’t help but wonder if everyone saw me in the same light. Being a visible minority, I realized there was nowhere to hide from these hurtful perceptions. It bothered me that the very leaders called to love and embrace were the ones who had tagged me as a cause of decline in Canada. I had often heard from friends that Christians are racists, and I still refuse to believe it because I know there are always a few bad apples in every group. However, it saddened me deeply that what if my friends, who are unbelievers see this negative side?
Happening everywhere
First of all this issue is not unique to the West. Every place where there is immigration, there are a group of people who claim that the fabric of society has been degrading because of the immigration happening there. Always there are a group of people who want to protect the culture they grew up in. The political parties feed from both aisles of the argument for votes, and the people suffer. That’s normal. If it’s about Indians coming to Canada, it is about Bangaldeshis coming to Kerala, India and the list goes on.
It’s an opportunity in disguise
But we, Christians should know better. Jesus gave us a commission when he ascended to heaven and he said
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
How many of us actually go to the ends of the earth, right? Check out my blog Evangelize the world in your city where I talk about the awesome opportunity we have as believers through immigration to share the gospel. It’s tough to travel to the most remote places, but someone from those places can come to your city, hear the gospel, and be changed. I’ve heard incredible stories of people from anti-gospel-countries immigrating and being impacted by believers in their new community, leading to their whole family back home getting to hear the gospel. This is what we’re here for, you know. I’m grateful that there are still many who do that. But there’s a growing group of leaders who are basically saying, “We’ll be your witness at your home in Judea and Samaria, but stay there, don’t come to our place.” I don’t believe that’s what Jesus died for.
The problem is that the media has pushed a narrative, that immigrants are degrading society, and constantly show videos that support that side. Also, the media pushes another narrative that Christians are racists, which isn’t true either, because it is only a few group of people who are pushing this. Eventually unbelievers don’t want anything to do with Christians, as they see us as hypocrites, who really don’t care about them. Who gains from all this. Of course, the devil. He becomes successful in pushing unbelievers away from the message of Christ.
I understand the fear. I realize where it is coming from, and it is coming from an earnest desire to see this place hold on to its Christian values. But in the fight between love and fear, love wins, and if we are concerned that messages and ideologies of fear and depravity could find place int the hearts of the next generations of our country much more easily than the real true love of Christ, we should know that the degradation happened way before the first immigrant set foot. It is stemming from not having Christ as the centre of the homes for ages, and just showing now.
Message to believers and unbelievers
Believers, don’t fall into the trap. The devil has made us think that our war is against flesh and blood. However, it is isn’t. Our war is against the spiritual forces of darkness, and the principalities and powers in the air. Immigration isn’t our problem. Diversity isn’t our problem. In fact, it is a blessing in disguise as many are hearing the Word of God. The most diverse place you will ever see is going to be heaven, where people of all races, nations. Let’s not push this narrative any longer. Because this is like a cancer, and once it takes off, it will have much unintended overarching consequences to us immigrants. Judas probably wanted Jesus to just scare Jesus, and hope that eventually he would present himself as the King of the Jews, saving people from the oppression of the Romans. However, it had consequences, which he probably didn’t intend, and his actions, snowballed into an avalanche that ended in the crucifixion of Jesus. Believers, please, don’t fall into the trap.
Unbelievers, if you are reading this, know that if some have hurt you with their message which made you feel unwelcome, I am sorry. You are welcome. The message of Christ is love, but unfortunately many of us, including me, have not been very good at expressing it. The message of the cross has the power to transform lives, to change lives, and it changes us inside out. We love you.
My letter to the Pastor
So, as I mentioned in the beginning of this blog, I sent an email to that Pastor, and here it is. I have removed the names for privacy purposes.
Dear Pastor X,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Prince John, and I currently reside in Canada. I had the pleasure of listening to your show this morning on XXXXXXXXXXXX, broadcasted on XX.X FM station. I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts with you, brother to brother.
Having immigrated to Canada from India, I am a seventh-generation Christian and actively involved in leadership within the local church. However, I was disheartened to hear remarks suggesting a distinction between traditional Canadians and foreign-born Canadians, insinuating a lack of assimilation among immigrants, resulting destruction to Canada. As a Christian leader, this rhetoric only perpetuates racial divisions within our community, as we will be seen as people destroying Canada.
From my perspective, as believers, we are called to minister to all people, regardless of nationality or background. Our diverse cities present a unique opportunity to share the gospel with individuals from around the world, those who have come to Canada seeking refuge or opportunity, without even leaving the comfort of our cities. We don’t have to even visit their countries, but they are coming in, and that’s a great blessing, not a liability. People from different religions, once they come to the Lord, could impact a whole community back from where they came from, as they see the love of Christ. It’s crucial to recognize the impact of our words, as they can either foster unity and understanding or perpetuate prejudice and discrimination.
I write to you not out of spite or anger, but with a desire for dialogue and understanding. I believe it’s important for us, as brothers in Christ, to be mindful of how our words may be perceived and to strive for inclusivity and love in all our interactions.Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective. I look forward to continuing this conversation and working towards a more inclusive and welcoming community for all.
Best regards,
Prince John
He didn’t respond to the email, but his next one week was devoted to politely doubling down on his stance against immigrants. It was disheartening.
I tried. But it didn’t work. But I realize one thing. That my war is not against flesh and blood. My war is against the principalities and powers of darkness that cause division, hatred, and distance us all from each other. I choose to love, spread the joy of Jesus, show Christ to people so that people would say ” I want what he has”. Like Joshua said “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord – Joshua 24:15”
I thank God for many men and women of God, who carry on the message of Jesus. A few bad apples don’t change that. I am so grateful for the love and reception we have got in this country as well. Nothing changes that too.
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