When a church gathers to wash feet at an immigration detention center, is it worship or protest? According to Isaac Villegas, it's both - and that's precisely the point. In this profound conversation, Villegas shares stories from his new book "Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice," revealing how authentic Christian practices become revolutionary acts in contexts of injustice.
Drawing from his experiences as a Mennonite pastor and the child of Latin American immigrants, Villegas takes us inside the remarkable two-year sanctuary his congregation provided for Rosa del Carmen Ortez Cruz, an undocumented woman facing deportation. With a host of volunteers coordinating everything from grocery delivery to laundry service, this community demonstrated what it means to truly be the church rather than simply attend one. "Rosa believed in the church with her life," Villegas observes, noting how her trust challenged the congregation to live up to its calling.
The conversation explores how traditional Christian practices take on profound political dimensions when performed in contested spaces. Whether conducting communion as a shared meal or washing feet outside detention centers, these acts embody an alternative vision of community that challenges dehumanizing systems. Villegas argues that Christians don't need to "translate" their faith into political action - they simply need to practice it faithfully in public.
With remarkable candor, Villegas also reflects on Martin Luther King Jr.'s final, undelivered sermon titled "Why America May Go to Hell" and what it means to maintain hope while acknowledging harsh realities. He suggests that Christian hope isn't based on political optimism but on the resurrection - the ultimate sign that seemingly impossible transformations remain possible even in dark times. Those seeking authentic ways to connect faith with justice will find this conversation both challenging and deeply encouraging.
