By Bill Baxley

A recent Post From Welcome House Raleigh: Early one morning, U.S. Marshals arrived at a partner church that hosts one of our English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The church secretary, alone at the time, was informed that law enforcement was conducting a stakeout behind the church to arrest a suspect. Unmarked vehicles lined the back of the church near the entrance to our ESL classroom.

When our team arrived, we were deeply unsettled by what we saw. Law enforcement officers sat in their vehicles, creating an atmosphere of intimidation, whether intended or not. Out of an abundance of caution, we canceled class, locked the church doors, and advised our students not to come.

But what stood out the most in this moment was not our own sense of unease—it was the response of our students. While our staff and volunteers were shaken, our students were remarkably calm. They had seen this before. They had lived this before.

This moment, for many of them, was nothing new.

As Christians, we are called to be a people who see. We see the suffering, we see the fear, we see the injustice. And once we see, we cannot turn away.

We do not condone lawlessness. We do not advocate for hiding criminals or obstructing justice. But we do take issue with a system that too often conflates immigration status, racial identity, and criminality—treating entire communities as suspect simply because they have brown skin.

We must ask ourselves:

• Why did law enforcement choose a church—a sacred space of refuge, learning, and worship—as a stakeout location?
• Did they consider the fear their presence might bring to a community where many already live in the shadows, worried about being profiled, detained, or separated from their families?
• How can we, as followers of Christ, respond in a way that upholds both justice and mercy?

The Bible is clear about how we are to treat the foreigner, the stranger, and the oppressed. Over and over again, we are commanded to welcome them, to care for them, and to love them as our own.

• Exodus 22:21 – “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
• Leviticus 19:34 – “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
• Matthew 25:35 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

God’s love does not recognize borders, legal distinctions, or racial divisions. His love is for all people. And as the body of Christ, we are called to extend that love to the most vulnerable among us.

For many immigrants—documented or not—law enforcement presence is not neutral. It is often a source of fear, a reminder that they or their loved ones could be detained, questioned, or deported at any moment. Even those who are here legally have learned to be cautious. The trauma of family separations, racial profiling, and deportations weighs heavily on immigrant communities, creating a culture of silence and survival.

We, as a church, must ask: Are we contributing to this culture of fear, or are we standing in defiance of it?

When law enforcement parked outside that church, they were not just watching a suspect—they were sending a silent but deafening message to every immigrant family in that congregation: You are not safe here.

And that is unacceptable.

This moment is a wake-up call for us at Greystone Baptist Church. We cannot claim to be a church of justice, mercy, and love if we remain silent when our neighbors are living in fear. We must act.

Here are some tangible ways we can respond:

1. Educate Ourselves and Our Congregation

Many of us do not fully understand the challenges immigrant communities face. We must take the time to learn. We can:

• Host a forum on immigration and racial justice, inviting experts and immigrant voices to share their experiences.
• Provide Know Your Rights training for immigrants and allies so that our community understands what to do if confronted by law enforcement.
• Hold a Bible study on hospitality and justice, exploring God’s command to welcome the stranger.

2. Strengthen Our Sanctuary and Safety Protocols

• Work with partner churches to develop clear emergency protocols in case of law enforcement presence.
• Establish a church liaison who can speak with law enforcement in such situations, ensuring that our spaces remain places of refuge.
• Create a network of churches committed to standing in solidarity with immigrant communities.

3. Stand Publicly for Justice

• Release a public statement affirming that Greystone Baptist Church is a welcoming, safe space for immigrants and all marginalized communities.
• Advocate for policy changes that prevent racial profiling and protect immigrant rights at the local, state, and national levels.
• Partner with local organizations that provide legal aid and support for immigrants.

4. Offer Direct Support to Affected Families

• Organize a legal defense fund to assist families facing deportation or immigration hearings.
• Provide mental health and trauma support for immigrants who have experienced detention, separation, or other forms of persecution.
• Establish mentorship and resource programs to help immigrant families access housing, employment, and education.

This incident was not just a random occurrence—it was a moment of revelation. It reminded us that injustice is not theoretical. It is happening in our neighborhoods, in our churches, and in the lives of people we know and love.

As Greystone Baptist Church, we cannot claim to love our neighbors while remaining silent when they are afraid. We cannot preach the gospel of Christ while ignoring the plight of the marginalized. We cannot be a church of justice if we only act when it is convenient.

Our faith demands more. Our God requires more.

This is our wake-up call.

Let us rise, not with fear, but with courage. Not with silence, but with prophetic love. Not with indifference, but with holy action.

Will we answer the call?