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The Next Right Thing

 

When the challenges surrounding immigration feel overwhelming, it is easy to believe there is nothing we can do. But Scripture and history tell a different story. Hope is not something we wait for; it is something we cultivate. We become what we behold, and our hearts are shaped by where we give our attention and how we choose to respond. The invitation here is simple and sustainable: do the next right thing. Not everything. Not all at once. Just the next faithful step. A long obedience in the same direction begins this way and is sustained by ordinary, daily acts of faithfulness. This page offers practical, accessible ways to move from despair to hope by choosing what is good, true, and life giving, one step at a time.


These action steps are intentionally varied, because people come to this moment from different places. Some are just beginning to listen and learn. Others are ready to serve, give, or speak out. There is no single right entry point and no expectation that everyone do the same thing. For one person, the next right thing might be reading a book or listening to a podcast that reframes how they see immigrants. For another, it may be showing up to volunteer, advocating for humane policies, or offering financial support to organizations doing faithful work on the ground. The goal is not comparison or performance, but faithfulness, choosing the step that is right for you, right now.​

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This page is not static. It will be continually updated as we learn, listen, and discover new opportunities to respond with faithfulness and care. New resources, stories, and action steps will be added over time, reflecting what we are seeing on the ground and where God appears to be at work. You are invited to return as often as needed, not to keep up, but to discern again the next right thing for this season.

Holy Indifference: The Pilgrim's Mindset

Holy indifference is not apathy, withdrawal, or emotional numbness. It is a practiced freedom of the heart. It names a posture where our deepest loyalty is to God’s presence and purposes, not to outcomes we cannot control or fears that clamor for our attention. The pilgrim learns to care deeply without being ruled by anxiety, to engage faithfully without needing immediate resolution. This kind of indifference loosens our grip on urgency, outrage, and despair, and steadies us for the long road of obedience. It allows us to respond to suffering with compassion rather than panic, and to injustice with courage rather than reactivity.

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For those seeking to do the next right thing, holy indifference creates space for discernment. It helps us ask not, “What must be fixed right now?” but, “What is mine to do today?” The pilgrim’s mindset trusts that faithfulness is cumulative, that small acts offered in love matter, and that God is already at work beyond what we can see. From this place, action becomes sustainable. We take steps not to prove ourselves, save the world, or quiet our conscience, but to walk attentively with God, choosing the good that is in front of us, one faithful step at a time.

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For those seeking a deeper grounding for this posture, the Good Faith podcast episode titled “Sara Billups Explores ‘Nervous Systems’ and How to Build a Non-Anxious Life—Can We Move From Fear to a Holy Indifference That Teaches Peace and Presence?” (October 23, 2025) offers a thoughtful and pastoral exploration of the concept of holy indifference. This conversation reframes holy indifference not as detachment, but as a steady, pilgrim-like way of living that resists anxiety, honors limits, and makes space for faithful, non-reactive obedience over the long haul.​

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Practice Kindness in Everyday LIfe

Kindness is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to push back against dehumanization. It shows up in ordinary moments: offering help, speaking gently, choosing patience, or extending grace when circumstances are stressful or unfamiliar. Practicing kindness does not require expertise or authority. It is available to all of us, every day, and it quietly reinforces the truth that every person bears the image of God and deserves to be treated with care.

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Practice Welcome in Everyday LIfe

Practicing welcome begins with posture before it becomes an action. It means creating space for immigrants to be seen, heard, and valued as neighbors rather than problems to solve. Welcome can take many forms: a warm conversation, shared food, patience across language barriers, or simply making room for someone who is often overlooked. These small, intentional acts communicate dignity and belonging and reflect the heart of a God who consistently draws near to the stranger.

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Reject Contempt

Contempt hardens the heart (and soul) and shrinks our capacity for compassion. Rejecting contempt means refusing language, humor, or media that trains us to look down on others or dismiss their suffering. It is a deliberate choice to guard our hearts and minds, especially in a culture fueled by outrage and fear. When we reject contempt, we create space for humility, empathy, and love to take root, allowing hope and faithfulness to grow where cynicism once lived.

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Read a Book

Generous Justice by Tim Keller offers a biblically grounded vision of justice rooted in God’s character and the call to love our neighbor. Keller shows that care for the poor, the immigrant, and the vulnerable is not a secondary issue but a core expression of faithful discipleship. With clarity and pastoral wisdom, the book invites readers to move beyond charity alone toward a life shaped by mercy, humility, and generosity. It is a steady, accessible guide for those seeking to align conviction with compassionate action.

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Solito (Alone) by Javier Zamora is a powerful memoir that tells the true story of the author’s journey from El Salvador to the United States at just nine years old to reunite with his parents. Told in the voice of his younger self, the book follows his long, dangerous trek by bus, boat, and on foot, through Guatemala and Mexico and across the desert before finally reaching the U.S. border. Zamora’s narrative brings readers deep into the emotional and physical realities of migration, capturing longing, fear, resilience, and the unexpected kindness of strangers, and offering a deeply human perspective on a journey shared by millions.

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Subscribe to a Podcast

Good Faith, hosted by Curtis Chang explores a wide range of cultural, political, and faith related topics through thoughtful, charitable conversation. Immigration does surface regularly, not as a talking point, but as part of a larger, recurring theme: how followers of Jesus can engage a divided world while honoring the dignity of others. Good Faith is especially helpful for those who feel worn down by outrage and polarization and are looking for a more grounded, humane way to think, listen, and respond. Here’s a partial list of the episodes regarding immigration issues:

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  • August 5, 2023: Anxiety and Immigration

  • June 3, 2025: Immigration and Belonging

  • October 16, 2025: When Fear Comes to Church: Pastor Paco Amador on ICE Raids and the Call to Love Our Neighbors

  • November 13, 2025: Welcoming the Stranger: Myal Greene on the Church and the Global Refugee Crisis

  • December 11, 2025: Is the Border Really in Crisis? Crime, Fentanyl & the Facts with Jennie Murray

 

When I Rise, hosted by Joe Skillen is a short, weekday daily podcast designed to help listeners begin their day grounded in faith, Scripture, and reflection. While immigration is not a regular topic, a consistent thread running through the podcast is human dignity: seeing ourselves and others as God sees us. When I Rise is especially helpful for those who feel weary or overwhelmed, offering a steady, hopeful rhythm that shapes the heart before the day’s noise and headlines take over.

 

The BibleProject podcast Sermon on the Mount series consistently emphasizes that Jesus’ teaching was first heard by the poor, the marginalized, and those on the edges of power. Rather than addressing the privileged or secure, Jesus announces blessing to the meek, the hungry, and the persecuted, revealing a Kingdom where God’s favor rests on the vulnerable. The series places the Sermon firmly within the wider biblical story, showing how it echoes a theme running from Genesis to the prophets to Jesus himself: God draws near to the poor, defends the vulnerable, welcomes the stranger, and calls His people to reflect that same mercy, justice, and compassion in their lives.

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Watch a Movie

Movies can shape our imagination and soften our hearts in ways that arguments and information often cannot. When you watch a movie, pay attention to the moments that move you or stir compassion, then respond intentionally: write about it, pray through it, read a related book, or take a small action that turns inspiration into obedience.

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In the Heights tells the story of a vibrant, immigrant neighborhood in Washington Heights and centers on themes of belonging, dignity, sacrifice, and hope. Through music and story, the film gives voice to the dreams, struggles, and quiet resilience of immigrant families who are often unseen or misunderstood. Rather than focusing on crisis, In the Heights highlights everyday faithfulness: people showing up for one another, carrying memories of home, and believing their lives and stories matter. It invites viewers to see immigrants not as problems to solve, but as neighbors whose lives are rich with courage, beauty, and longing, aligning closely with the call to honor the God given dignity of every person.

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Les Misérables portrays how unjust systems can produce harsh laws and devastating outcomes, especially for the poor and vulnerable. Through characters like Jean Valjean and Fantine, the story shows how rigid legalism and social exclusion punish desperation rather than address its causes. In a similar way, the U.S. immigration system often imposes severe consequences on vulnerable people while failing to account for the realities that drive migration in the first place. The film invites viewers to see how mercy, dignity, and compassion can interrupt cycles of injustice, and how societies shaped only by law without grace often deepen suffering instead of healing it.

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Subscribe to a Magazine

Christianity Today consistently engages cultural, theological, and public life issues through a distinctly Christian lens. Across its reporting, essays, and commentary, strong themes of human dignity, moral responsibility, and faithfulness in a complex world regularly emerge. For readers seeking thoughtful, balanced journalism that resists outrage while encouraging depth, discernment, and compassion, Christianity Today helps form a posture that can shape how we think about immigrants and our neighbors more broadly.

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Following is a brief summary of a heart-wrenching Christianity Today article that addresses immigration: “They Led at Saddleback Church. ICE Said They Were Safe.” from the November/December 2025 issue:

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The article by Andy Olsen tells the long, complex story of Nelson and Gladys Gonzalez, a Colombian couple who came to the United States in the late 1980s and built a life rooted in faith, family, and service. For decades they were active members and leaders in the Hispanic ministry at Saddleback Church, raised their daughters in the church community, and contributed generously to the life of their congregation. Despite having no criminal record and even receiving informal assurances from ICE agents over the years that they were “good people” and unlikely to be deported, the couple were ultimately arrested and removed from the U.S. in 2025 after nearly 36 years of living in the country. The piece traces their long navigation of the immigration system, the legal pitfalls and predatory advice they endured, and the deep emotional and spiritual costs of their deportation. Through their story, the article raises questions about enforcement, mercy, and what is gained or lost when faithful, integrated members of a community are uprooted.

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Meditate on Poetry

Poetry invites us to slow down and listen with more than our minds. It creates space for reflection, helping us name emotions that are often difficult to articulate and notice where our hearts are being stirred. Meditating on poetry can soften what has become hardened, deepen empathy, and draw us closer to God’s heart for human dignity. Read slowly, return to a line that stays with you, and allow it to shape your prayers, journaling, or next small act of faithfulness.

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The Ambassadors of Dignity poem on the Our Story page captures the heart and call of our work at AOD in vivid, emotional language. Through metaphor and image, it names both the pain of exclusion and the hope of belonging, inviting readers to see every person as made in the image of God and worthy of respect and care. The related commentary reflects on how poetry can deepen our empathy, soften hardened places in our hearts, and remind us that justice and mercy are inseparable. Taken together, the poem and its reflection help frame why dignity, especially for the vulnerable, the displaced, and the stranger, is central to the mission of Ambassadors of Dignity.

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The Arc of Righteous Anger: From Outrage to Obedience poem is a reflective piece that traces a personal and spiritual journey from raw, heated outrage to faithful action grounded in love and obedience. What begins as outrage over injustice and brokenness, especially the way human dignity is denied, quickly reveals its own dangers when it turns toward contempt, pride, or the desire to win. Through honest self-reflection and surrender to God, that fire of outrage is refined into holy passion: a clarity of purpose that moves one from clenched fists to open hands. The poem and its commentary describe how this arc bends not toward destruction, but toward listening, compassion, and small acts of faithful obedience until anger becomes a force that fuels love, mercy, and restorative engagement.

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Listen to Music

Christian music can meet us in many different places. At times it draws us into worship, and at other times into contemplation, seeking, devotion, or even faithful defiance in the face of injustice. Music has a way of bypassing our defenses and shaping what we behold, often before we realize it. As you listen, pay attention to what is being stirred in you. Let the lyrics and melodies become prayer, reflection, or resolve, and allow them to guide you toward the next right thing.

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Citizens, written and performed by Jon Guerra, reflects deeply on identity, belonging, and what it means to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom rather than any earthly nation. The song carries clear connections to immigration, naming longing for home, welcome, and dignity in ways that resonate with the immigrant experience. Guerra himself is an immigrant, and that lived perspective adds weight and authenticity to the lyrics. Rich with theological themes drawn from Scripture, Citizens is more than a song to enjoy; it is worthy of slow listening, study, and meditation, inviting reflection on allegiance, compassion, and the call to love our neighbors faithfully.

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Speak by Bethany Music is a deeply prayerful song that invites listeners into honest conversation with God. The lyrics are structured like a prayer, a plea for God’s presence, guidance, and voice in the midst of confusion, fear, and longing. Because of its simplicity and spiritual depth, Speak is especially worth meditating on and praying through slowly. As you listen, let the words become your own prayer: ask God to speak to you, to shape your heart, and to guide how you see and respond to the world around you. Whether you are seeking clarity, comfort, or courage, the song creates space for reflection, surrender, and trust.

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Reign Above It All by Bethany Music is a worship song that proclaims the sovereignty and lordship of Jesus over every part of life. Its lyrics celebrate how Jesus has conquered darkness, finished the work of salvation on the cross, and now reigns over the universe and every heart, inviting heaven and earth to join in praise. The song emphasizes Christ’s victory over despair and chaos, reminding listeners that nothing is beyond His authority or care and that His reign brings light, life, and hope into even the darkest places. Rich with themes of Kingdom, resurrection, praise, and trust in God’s dominion, it points hearts upward in worship and offers a stabilizing perspective for times when circumstances feel overwhelming.

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New Wine by Hillsong Worship is a song about surrender and transformation. Its central theme is letting go of our own control, plans, and old ways so that God can work deeply within us, shaping our hearts like new wine in the Lord’s hands. The imagery of “new wine” comes from Scripture (especially Luke 5), where Jesus teaches that new ways of God’s Spirit don’t fit into old containers. The song invites listeners into honest confession and a posture of trust: that God’s refining work, though sometimes uncomfortable, is always for life, renewal, and deeper intimacy with Him. Its message resonates with anyone seeking hope, spiritual renewal, and a reorientation of life toward God’s purposes.

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Subscribe to a Newsletter

Subscribe to the AOD newsletter: Pilgrim's Progress: The Journey Towards Welcome which is a reflective newsletter that shares stories, spiritual insights, and lived experiences regarding building bridges with our immigrant neighbors. 

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The National Immigration Forum offers a helpful Stay Informed newsletter that provides clear, timely updates on immigration issues without fueling fear or outrage. Curated for accessibility and balance, it helps readers understand what is happening, why it matters, and how policy discussions affect real people and communities. For those who want to remain informed while keeping human dignity at the center, this newsletter is a practical way to stay engaged with clarity and hope. Learn more and subscribe here.

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World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that partners with the church to walk alongside refugees, immigrants, and other vulnerable people as they rebuild their lives after displacement. In the U.S., World Relief helps families find housing, learn English, access legal services, secure employment, and build community connections, all with the goal of creating welcoming spaces where people can flourish. Want to receive stories, updates, and ways to get involved? Subscribe to the World Relief newsletter here. Scroll to the bottom and enter your email to stay informed about their work and impact.

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Deepen Understanding Thru Presence (Encounter)

Sometimes it takes proximity to dispel stereotypes. When we remain at a distance, it is easy for fear or assumptions to take hold. Being physically present, listening to real stories, and sharing space with people whose lives are affected by immigration has a way of humanizing what can otherwise feel abstract or polarizing. This is exactly how I (Jeff Stukey) was drawn in. It was not through an argument or a statistic, but through showing up, listening, and allowing proximity to reshape what I thought I knew. For some, this may be the next right thing: creating space for presence to do its quiet, transforming work.

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Abara is an organization based in the El Paso/Juárez borderlands that seeks to bridge divides, honor human dignity, and foster peace through connection, learning, and reflection. Central to their work is the Border Encounter, a multi-day immersive experience designed to help participants go beyond the headlines and statistics to meet the people, stories, and realities of migration at the U.S./Mexico border firsthand. Through guided dialogue, visits with shelter partners, legal and historical learning, and moments of shared meals and reflection, these encounters invite visitors to listen deeply, learn contextually, and rehumanize the immigrant experience in a way that reshapes perception and inspires compassionate engagement. See www.abara.org/border-encounters for more information.

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Border Perspective is an organization that creates educational and immersive experiences designed to help people go beyond the headlines and better understand life, ministry, and the human reality along the U.S./Mexico border. Through service-learning trips, border journeys, and vision experiences, participants are invited to listen, learn, and serve alongside local immigrant leaders and ministries, gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of migration and the ways faith communities are showing compassion and care for their neighbors. These encounters challenge assumptions, deepen understanding, and offer space to see with greater nuance, helping people return home with new perspective and empathy rather than simplistic narratives. See www.borderperspective.org for more information.

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Volunteer

See our Volunteer page for ideas. Volunteering is one of the most tangible ways to move from concern to presence. It allows us to show up alongside people, building relationships rooted in dignity, trust, and mutual respect. The goal is not charity alone, but mutual flourishing, where both those who serve and those who are served are changed and strengthened. Whether your capacity is limited or abundant, there are meaningful ways to serve that fit different seasons of life. Volunteering is not about fixing problems or having all the answers. It is about faithfulness, availability, and choosing to be present where love is needed.​

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There will be many more ways to volunteer as AOD grows. From time-to-time, we will highlight volunteer opportunities in our newsletter. 

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Advocate

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT)

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Advocacy is one way we steward our voice on behalf of those whose voices are often unheard. It involves learning, speaking thoughtfully, and engaging the public square with humility and courage. Advocacy does not require outrage or expertise. It begins with paying attention, staying informed, and choosing language that reflects dignity rather than fear. For some, the next right thing may be contacting an elected official, supporting faith based advocacy efforts, or showing up peacefully to bear witness to humane values. Advocacy, when rooted in love of neighbor, becomes another way we participate in God’s work of justice and restoration in the world.

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One example of faith-rooted advocacy is the immigration work of the National Association of Evangelicals. For decades, the NAE has helped evangelicals engage immigration thoughtfully by grounding public witness in Scripture, human dignity, and the unity of the church. Their advocacy emphasizes both the rule of law and compassion for immigrants, calling for policies that are just, humane, and reflective of biblical values. Through statements, educational resources, and engagement with policymakers, the NAE offers a measured, credible voice that helps believers steward their influence without fear or hostility, reminding us that advocacy can be both faithful and hopeful when it is rooted in love of neighbor.

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Another example of thoughtful, faith-informed advocacy is the work of the Evangelical Immigration Table. The Evangelical Immigration Table brings together evangelical leaders, pastors, and organizations to advocate for immigration policies that uphold both biblical compassion and human dignity. Their work emphasizes prayer, education, and public witness, helping evangelicals engage immigration not as a partisan issue, but as a discipleship issue rooted in Scripture. By offering resources, sign-on statements, and opportunities to engage lawmakers respectfully, the Table equips believers to steward their voice in ways that are principled, relational, and aligned with the call to love our immigrant neighbors well.

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In the United States, the right to peaceful protest is a protected and cherished freedom. The First Amendment affirms the right of people to assemble peaceably and to petition the government, recognizing that public witness and dissent are essential to a healthy democracy. Peaceful protest allows ordinary citizens to raise concerns, advocate for justice, and call attention to moral issues without violence or coercion. When exercised responsibly, this right creates space for voices that might otherwise go unheard and reminds those in power that they remain accountable to the people.

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Study

Here are some topics to explore in the Bible:​

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  • The quartet of the vulnerable in the Old Testament.

  • "What does the Lord require?" in Micah 6. Look at chapters 1 - 6 for context. 

  • Jesus's first public pronouncement regarding his mission in Luke 4.

  • Jesus's final public pronouncement about the judgement of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. 

  • In Matthew 11 (and Luke 7) how does Jesus answer John the Baptist's surprising inquiry: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

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Questions:

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  1. What do the Law, the Prophets, and Jesus reveal about the place of the vulnerable in measuring faithfulness?

  2. How does Micah 6 challenge religious practice that is disconnected from justice and mercy?

  3. Why does Jesus answer John the Baptist by pointing to acts of restoration rather than making a direct claim?

  4. If Jesus begins and ends his public ministry focused on the marginalized, what does that suggest about how faithfulness is (or should be) measured today?

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Listen to a Sermon Series

The Justice series at Five Oaks Church (summer 2021) invites listeners to explore what biblical justice looks like in the life of a disciple. Across multiple weeks, the series examines how Scripture calls God’s people to care for the vulnerable, resist systems of exploitation, and embody mercy and righteousness in everyday life. Rather than offering mere social critique, the sermons ground justice in God’s character and the life of Jesus, encouraging hearers to consider how their faith should shape attention, compassion, and action toward those on the margins. The series emphasizes that justice is not a distant ideal but a practical, Kingdom way of living that flows from love and obedience to God’s Word.

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Below are the links to the sermons (note that you will have to fast forward through the worship and announcements to get to the sermon):

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Donate

Giving is one simple way to come alongside faithful work that is already happening, even when you cannot be physically present. Financial gifts help sustain ministries and organizations that offer welcome, legal support, emergency care, and long-term accompaniment to immigrants and asylum seekers. For some, the next right thing is giving generously and trustingly, participating in God’s work through shared resources and quiet faithfulness.​

 

To give to Ambassadors of Dignity, click here.

 

Following are three organizations we support and feel that they are making a significant impact:​

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Pray

Here are four types of prayer that can shape a faithful and grounded prayer life in this work, each rooted in the Psalms and reflective of the full range of biblical prayer.

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Lament
Lament names grief, loss, and confusion honestly before God. It refuses denial and brings suffering into the light of God’s presence, trusting that God hears the cries of the afflicted.
Psalm example: Psalm 13 – “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?”

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Intercession
Intercession stands in the gap on behalf of others, especially those who are vulnerable or unheard. It carries the needs of immigrants, families, leaders, and communities before God, asking for protection, provision, and mercy.
Psalm example: Psalm 72 – A prayer for justice, righteousness, and the flourishing of the oppressed.

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Imprecatory Prayer
Imprecatory prayer gives voice to anger at injustice while entrusting judgment to God rather than taking it into our own hands. It asks God to confront systems, powers, and actions that crush the vulnerable, while resisting vengeance and dehumanization.
Psalm example: Psalm 10 – A plea for God to arise and defend the oppressed against the wicked.

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Prayer of Trust and Surrender
This form of prayer releases outcomes to God and re-centers the heart in confidence, rest, and obedience. It anchors hope not in visible results, but in God’s faithful presence and promises.
Psalm example: Psalm 131 – A quiet prayer of humility, trust, and settled hope.

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Practice Welcome in Everyday Family Life

Parenting young children offers a unique and powerful opportunity to shape how the next generation sees the world. Parents can practice the next right thing in age-appropriate, life-giving ways, weaving values of welcome, kindness, and dignity into everyday family life. Simple practices like the stories you read, the language you use, the prayers you pray, and the questions you invite can help children grow with compassion rather than fear. You do not need to have all the answers. Faithfulness here looks like modeling curiosity, empathy, and love of neighbor in small, consistent ways that take root over time.​

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Questions for Reflection

These questions are offered as an invitation, not an exam. They are meant to slow us down, create space for reflection, and help us notice what is being stirred in our hearts. You might use them for journaling, prayer, or quiet meditation, returning to the same question over time rather than rushing for answers. Often, the most meaningful growth comes not from resolving tension quickly, but from listening attentively to what God is forming in us as we practice the next right thing.

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  1. Where do I feel most tempted toward hopelessness when it comes to immigration, and what might God be inviting me to notice there?

  2. What voices, stories, or media most shape what I behold, and how are they forming my heart toward immigrants and the vulnerable?

  3. What would the next right thing look like for me in this season, given my capacity, limits, and responsibilities?

  4. In what ways might proximity, listening, or presence help challenge assumptions or soften places that have grown hardened in me?

  5. How might God be inviting me to participate, in small but faithful ways, in bringing signs of His Kingdom into my everyday life?

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