From The Conversation · Johanna Bard Richlin · · 1m 20s
Evangelical churches attract migrants in US
Migrants find faith communities in US evangelical churches.
In brief
Migrants find faith communities in US evangelical churches. Evangelical churches in the US draw many migrants, who find belonging and spiritual guidance through faith. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Kim's faith perspective
Kim, a Congolese asylum-seeker in Maine, says Democrats are not people of God.
“Democrats are not people of God”
Evangelical diversity
3 in 10 US evangelicals are not white, with migrants shaping religious landscape.
“3 in 10 US evangelicals are not white”
Migration and faith
12% of US evangelicals were born outside the country, 7% have at least one parent born outside.
“12% of evangelicals in the US were born outside the country”
Migrant church experiences
Migrants find empowerment through prayer, worship, and Bible study in evangelical churches.
“Migrants often told me that their churches’ close-knit communities, and evangelical Christianity’s emphasis on fostering an intimate relationship with God, gave them a sense of empowerment”
Gláucia's faith journey
Gláucia, an undocumented Brazilian migrant, says she trusts God's will for her future.
“I love living here... if God wants me to leave, I’m under God’s will”
Conversion stories
Many migrants convert to evangelical faith after arriving in the US, seeking community.
“When you are here, without your family, without any friends, you feel alone, and look for something to hold on to”
Migrant church impact
Migrant churches provide prayer, study, and worship opportunities for community support.
“The three congregations that I attended offered multiple prayer, study and worship opportunities for migrants throughout the week”
Religious trends
87% of migrants have religious affiliation vs 70% of all US residents.
“Migrants, however, are more likely to have a religious affiliation: 87%, compared with 70% of all people in the United States”
Political beliefs
Migrants believe Trump will restore US as Christian nation, prioritizing his policies on abortion and marriage.
“Some of them believed Trump would restore the United States to its presumed destiny as an explicitly Christian nation”
Future implications
Migrants hope to gain citizenship and influence US politics through their faith communities.
“Many migrants I met, including green-card holders and asylum-seekers, hoped to eventually gain citizenship and be able to vote”
The short version
Evangelical churches in the US draw many migrants, who find belonging and spiritual guidance through faith.
