The Presbyterian Church in America is an embattled denomination with liberals in the minority at-large but able to hold key positions and Presbyteries. Mission To North America provides resources and training curriculum to the PCA, so it is a critical institution in Presbyterianism. The Mission to North America was caught treacherously encouraging illegal aliens to withstand Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The PCA promoted on a page titled “Refugee & Immigrant Ministry for Churches: Help Immigrants Facing 2025 Policy Changes” which was published in early January. The resources were published in anticipation of President Trump’s inauguration. Rather than embrace what the overwhelming majority of their congregations voted for, the PCA sought to undermine their congregations by sowing treachery.
On the other hand, many of our neighbors – and many of our brothers and sisters in Christ – do not have permanent legal status. They may have temporary status such as Humanitarian Parole (HP) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Some may not have documents giving them permission to remain in the US.
Many undocumented persons are married to green card holders or to US citizens. Many have US citizen children – mixed status families.
Our neighbors who have no documents and those who have temporary status are facing much uncertainty in the months and years ahead. Example: persons who have applied for asylum in the US have been given court dates years in the future, with uncertainty during the interim.
Upon discovery, there was much backlash against what is ultimately treason in that it facilitates an invasion on US soil. The page had several links to various resources for assisting illegal aliens.
Zachary Groff of the PCA responded to the controversy stating:
Regarding the PCA’s Mission to North America (MNA) Refugee & Immigrant Ministry resource page giving specific guidance on how to interact with law enforcement…
I have personally received text messages, DMs, and emails from PCA elders, deacons, and members in over a dozen threads (some in group chats) this morning alone. These correspondences come after a week’s worth of informal (and productive) interaction with MNA Executive Leadership members about concerns over the page. And I am merely one member of the MNA Permanent Committee charged with overseeing and advising the General Assembly-approved leadership of Mission to North America.
The concerns are being taken very seriously by those who are responsible for oversight at the Assembly level and those who are responsible for day-to-day operations at the staff level. The matter is already docketed for the Permanent Committee’s spring meeting in March, and the resource page is under review by MNA staff in the meantime. Please pray for MNA staff and Permanent Committee members as we prepare to discuss concerns, problems, and solutions in a couple of weeks. Thanks!
The page has since been taken down.
Angela Pacey is the director of the Refugee and Immigrant Ministry of Mission to North America. She appears to be the person responsible for this event. Pacey is a long-time member of Kevin DeYoung’s Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC. Kevin DeYoung has a long history with the woke Gospel Coalition.
The Westminister Confession of Faith which the PCA adheres to states in chapter 20 section 4:
And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God. And, for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation; or, to the power of godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church, they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the church.
The actions of the PCA are not only treacherous but are also unfaithful. May the PCA correct course.
3 Responses
Even if some of the illegal immigrants are Christian, that is totally irrelevant to deciding whether to allow them to stay in the USA.
Just as you would not allow some random strangers to permanently live in your house just because they claim to be “Christian”, it is ludicrous and perverse to allow third world aliens to stay in our country just because they claim to be “Christian.”
The safety, security, and wellbeing of our own people comes first.
Since many third worlders (even many of those who claim to be “Christian”) are violent and barbaric and uncivilized, it is simply too dangerous to allow them to live in our country.
When an America First government wins power, the leaders and employees of organizations that import immigrants into the USA will be charged as accessories, accomplices and abettors to every single crime committed by the immigrants who they imported.
It’s interesting that you bring out that part of the Westminster Confession of Faith, does anyone doubt, if someone else was in power, that they would use it as a wedge against conservative members of the PCA to silence, censure, censor, or excommunicate them? (aren’t they already doing it for one well known pastor?)
I was raised and came to faith while attending a PCA church in the 90s. Though I no longer am a Member, I have family that still are, and seeing these things greatly grieves my soul for them.
The same people declaring the government has to allow every brown illegal into the country would freak out if you took a White homeless man to their church.