The first sanctuary church in the Grand Rapids Metro area has officially opened its doors in Wyoming, promising a safe space to anyone fearing deportation by immigration officials. Spearheaded by the Rev. Justo Gonzalez II, southwest area minister for the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ, the sanctuary church is designed to make those seeking refuge feel invited.
“We don’t want people feeling like they are walking into a shelter, but rather that they are entering their home," Gonzalez said. "A home that is a comfortable, welcoming space for them. It really is all about hospitality and an extravagant welcome.”
That extravagant welcome includes comfortable beds, shower facilities, a full kitchen and individual rooms for families. Having already received a number of hateful phone messages, Gonzalez says, he understands that there are inherent dangers to providing shelter to undocumented immigrants.
“The reality is there are consequences to what we are doing," Gonzalez said. "If you believe President Trump, you’d believe that I, as a Latino male, am MS-13. That I am a rapist, that I am a drug lord, that I am going to murder you and kill you. Well, it’s true. I am going to murder you with kindness. I am going to kill you with love. But we are not the fake news that this administration is trying to portray us as.”
The sanctuary church is open to anyone who wants to come in other than U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Gonzalez says he will only allow them to come in with a warrant.
“Why are we so stuck on this, ‘well, they’re a bunch of quote-unquote illegals,’ Gonzalez said. "There is no such thing. No child of God, no human person can be illegal. So quite frankly, who am I to deny you or anyone else their innate dignity?”
The sanctuary church is in need of mini-fridges and an electrician who will work pro-bono. Volunteers and donations are welcome.
