Recently a Christian (not in WCC) met with me to ask what I think about refugees, knowing WCC’s work. He expressed his feelings of distress with neighbors seeking refuge in our nation. He was not distressed with the conditions these neighbors are living in, but with the “burden” and “strain” they will place on our nation’s economy by the resources they require. He used language of dislike and at times, disdain. So I asked him candidly if he felt that refugees are an enemy to the American way of life. He didn’t answer it explicitly, but instead talked about the threat they bring to “American stability.”
Beloved, refugees are never your enemies. The institutions, systems and people who create them are. In the Christian tradition refugees are our neighbors. More specifically, refugees are the Christ.
(See Matthew 25:31ff, Romans 13:8-10, and so on and so on)
About Fred
Fred came to serve greater Williamsburg and WCC as lead pastor in October of 2010 and is grateful to be a part of the family. He is a husband, father, certified trauma professional, S.T.A.R. (strategies for trauma awareness & resilience) practitioner, community organizer, TEDx alum, founder of 3e Restoration, Inc. and co-owner of Philoxenia Culture LLC. He received his B.S. in Ministry/Bible at Amridge University and his Master’s of Religious Education in Missional Leadership from Rochester University. Currently he is a candidate for a Doctorate of Ministry in Contextual Theology in at Northern Seminary in Chicago. Fred also serves as an adjunct lecturer for William & Mary and has served as an adjunct professor for Rochester University and Regent University where he taught courses in philosophy, ethics, leadership, pastoral care, intro to Christianity, and ethnography. Fred has authored on book (Racialized Cultural Systems, Social Displacement and Christian Hospitality) and several curriculum offerings, including The FloorPlan: Living Toward Restoration & Resilience.
Fred enjoys hanging out with his family anytime, anywhere. He is deeply grateful for how God graciously works through the Church in all her various forms, despite our brokenness. He is passionate about seeing the last, least, and lonely of every neighborhood, city and nation experience God’s in-breaking kingdom, and come to know Jesus as King. Oh, and his favorite season is Advent and Christmas.
Fred serves on the advisory boards of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Bacon Street Youth & Family Services, and FreeKind. He is also a founding member of the board of directors for Virginia Racial Healing Institute, a member of Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network's Racial Trauma Committee and Training Committee.
Long Way Here 