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From His Eyes

The Message interviewed Filipino Pastor Ton Alcantara of Grace Bible Fellowship International Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He sheds some light on what it’s like to be a foreigner in this country and how God is working among immigrant populations.

What struggles do immigrants face in the US?
We have struggles that are common to basic human existence like financial and job security to provide for basic needs of life, and many immigrants also feel pressure to financially help their families back home in their country of origin. On top of it all, new immigrants face the perplexing challenge of culture shock. For those who speak English as a second language, the inability to communicate is a nagging problem.

How is Christ changing lives in the immigrant community?
For those who are lonely and neglected in the margins of society, Christ is the ultimate answer. A good number of immigrants become believers in America; In fact, Operation World states that church growth among ethnic minorities is the growing edge of US Evangelicalism today. On a personal level, immigrants find association with fellow immigrants of the same ethnic stock a wholesome place to experience corporate life and faith in Christ, even though assimilation to mainstream culture is always desired. That is why ethnic churches are thriving. In the future, they will be a force for missions.

How have God’s people in America impacted the lives of immigrants?
God’s people in America have been a mixed blessing to immigrants. There are evangelical churches that are welcoming and sensitive to the plight of new immigrants, and others are as cold as ice when they see people of different color and culture. Educating the church in this area should be given emphasis as the demographics of America changes. The gospel, God’s message of love, should be incarnated by mainstream evangelical Christians to the immigrant community if there is to be harmony and cooperation in the work of the kingdom for times to come.