Sarah Jackson - The House That Love Built: Why I Opened My Door to Immigrants and How We Found Hope beyond a Broken System

Sarah Jackson reminds us that one of the holiest things we can do is welcome the stranger. In fact, Jesus says that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome him. And Paul writes in Hebrews that when we show hospitality to foreigners, we may very well be entertaining angels. But there is a war between faith and fear happening inside each of us. In this dazzling gem of a book, Sarah Jackson dares us to love as big as God loves. She is convinced that the Bible is correct when it says that love casts out fear. Sarah has chosen love. And she will inspire you to do the same.

SHANE CLAIBORNE, author; activist; cofounder, Red Letter Christians

Our communitys diversity is our strength, a value that Ive seen Sarah Jackson lift up every day in her work at Casa de Paz. Casa de Paz has provided a safe harbor for hundreds of people cast aside by our nations broken immigration system. The story of Casa de Paz is a story of leadership, empathy, and our shared humanity. Its a story about how we have shared obligations toward one another and how we are all better off when we take care of those who need help. As we work to build a more inclusive community, Casa de Paz reminds us what we can achieve when we come together.

CONGRESSMAN JASON CROW

I have met scores of restless young adults, and my first impression of Sarah was that she was probably just a salsa-dancing idealist. Sarah proved me wrong. She is an incarnational visionary, and this book bears witness to the mustard-seed power of gospel hospitality. Oh, Sarahs still a salsa-dancing idealist. Shes just so much more.

ANTON FLORES-MAISONET, lead founder, El Refugio and Casa Alterna

Fair warning: you will be changed as you read these pages, because the words themselves are fueled by the unstoppable and upending love of the one who is for, with, and in each and every person on the planet! This story shouts from the rooftops the invitation to follow in the steps of Jesus, with hands reaching and eyes glistening with extravagant and tangible love for all. This book has been crafted for such a time as this!

SARAH DAVISON-TRACY, author; speaker; founder, Seeds of Exchange

Most Americans probably do not realize that our country has an immigrant detention system. They certainly dont know the millions of individuals whom it has entangled in recent years. Sarah Jackson has welcomed thousands of these asylum seekers and other immigrants into her home. This book is the compelling, faith-stretching story of how Sarah founded Casa de Paz and of the remarkable peopleboth immigrants and native-born Americanswhom God has brought into her life along the way. Its also an urgent wakeup call for the American church to heed Jesus call to practice hospitality.

MATTHEW SOERENS, US Director of Church Mobilization and Advocacy, World Relief

This book reminds us that immigration is about immigrants and that immigrants are people deeply loved by God. Sarah Jackson demonstrates with her life how we, as followers of Christ, stand with all people wherever they may befrom the womb to the tomb, from the belly to the border!

ROBERT GELINAS, lead pastor, Colorado Community Church

My visit to Casa de Paz taught me how to translate American values into concrete actions. I am impressed by Sarahs passion for and dedication to welcoming immigrants with unconditional, nonjudgmental love and care. This book shows perfect examples of how welcoming the stranger is meant to be.

BASEL MOUSSLLY, Program Manager for Migrant Services, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

I have known Sarah since she started Casa de Paz in her apartment several years ago. I am recommending this book because her story of helping immigrants is unique and fascinating and everyone needs to know it.

JUAN CARLOS GUTIERREZ, News Director, Univision Colorado

With passion and candor, Sarah Jackson takes us on her faith-based journey to open the doors of Casa de Paz, a Denver-area nonprofit that provides shelter and support to immigrants recently released from detention. The journey Jackson shares is about the true meaning of hospitalitytreating our immigrant neighbors with dignity and respect, and seeing in their experiences family ties that should be strengthened and fostered, not broken. This book is a call to action that highlights the heartwrenching, beautiful stories of the immigrants that Sarah and Casa volunteers assist and learn from, and how daily acts of kindness can change the world. The best of humanity is found in these pages.

ELIZABETH R. ESCOBEDO, Associate Professor of History, University of Denver

The commandment to love our neighbor is easier said than done. Sarah and Casa de Paz can say its easy to do because they are doing it and showing all of us that it is possible to be hospitable and loving and caring. Love knows no borders.

AMILCAR VALENCIA, cofounder, Executive Director, El Refugio Ministry

Ive known Sarah for a while and one of the things that hits me is her passion for immigration and pragmatism. In this book you will get to know someone who responded to a call and went through a process of transformation. This call is not something to be taken lightly, and its also for a few. We can educate and advocate for a compassionate approach to the complex subject of immigration, but what will make a real difference in the world is having people like Sarah as a witness of compassion and care for the stranger. Thanks, Sarah, for your witness and commitment!

MAURICIO C, Minister for Church Planting, Mennonite Mission Network

Against so many odds, Sarah Jackson has built not only a house of peace but also a powerful movement of healing and hope. This movement is about not only restoring immigrants dignity where it has been lost but also helping people break through misconceptions and damaging narratives and move toward living out our greatest call: love God, love others. I have known Sarah since she started Casa de Paz and have watched the inspiration shes catalyzed across different groups of people in deep and transforming ways. Her book will inspire, challenge, and stir hearts into action, which is exactly what the world needs right now more than ever.

KATHY ESCOBAR, co-pastor, The Refuge; author, Practicing: Changing Yourself to Change the World

Sarah Jacksons commitment to welcoming and caring for immigrants is not based on platitudes but is lived out in daily care and concern for immigrants welfare. At a time when the vitriol around immigrants and immigrationrooted in deep partisan dividesis at an all-time high, Jacksons story crafts a new narrative that can lead us to live out the call of Christ to love our neighbors and welcome strangers. We need new voices, new leadership, and a new way forward to be the people of God, ready and willing to deeply engage a hurting world. Sarah Jackson is that new leader.

MICHELLE FERRIGNO WARREN, activist; author, The Power of Proximity

ZONDERVAN BOOKS

The House That Love Built

Copyright 2020 by Sarah Jackson

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

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ISBN 978-0-310-35562-5 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35566-3 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35565-6 (ebook)

Epub Edition May 2020 9780310355656

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.