247. TNE TALKS: Compassion is Not Political // Bri Stensrud

The New Evangelicals Podcast

Summary

Bri Stensrud, founder of Women of Welcome, and author of the book, Starts with Welcome: The Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, discusses her passion for the immigration conversation and how it changed her personal and professional life. Bri reflects on the disconnect between the evangelical culture she grew up in and the reality of the immigration issue, and how it led her to question her faith, politics, and personal life.

Takeaways

The immigration conversation is complex and goes beyond legal and illegal distinctions; it involves understanding the holistic stories of individuals affected by violence, corrupt governments, and civil war.

The evangelical culture often prioritizes self-preservation and curated spaces over sacrificially living for others, which can lead to a disconnect between faith and compassionate action.

Compassion for immigrants and refugees is not a political stance but a prophetic movement rooted in the teachings of Jesus.

Engaging in the immigration conversation requires holding elected officials accountable, advocating for change, and recognizing that no political platform aligns perfectly with pro-immigrant values. Meeting people where they are in their understanding of immigration issues is important for fostering compassion and understanding.

Chapters

00:00 The Transformative Power of Encounters

03:46 The Disconnect Between Evangelical Culture and the Reality of the Immigration Issue

08:41 Moving Beyond Legal vs. Illegal

12:18 The Need for a Prophetic Movement: Compassion as a Spiritual Responsibility

27:53 Compassion and Understanding in Immigration Conversations

30:24 Starts with Welcome: A Faith-Filled Perspective on Immigration

33:44 Addressing the Broken Immigration System and the Need for Reform

41:37 Proximity and Compassion: Essential Elements in Immigration Advocacy

Read Start with Welcome by Bri Stensrud

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