Karen González - Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration

Beyond Welcome is an invitation to re-read Scripture through the eyes of the people at the center of the storyimmigrants who find their identity in Gods family. Gonzlez has offered us the opportunity to unlearn the habits of colonized hospitality and to know the beloved community God makes possible in the fellowship of those who know this worlds systems are not their home. Its an invitation for all of us to find our true home by reimagining the spaces we inhabit.

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove , author of Revolution of Values

This book presents many challenging and helpful questions about how we think about and relate to immigrants and immigration. Written from her own perspective as an immigrant, Gonzlez explores a broader, constructive framework to engage in a way that recognizes the often unjust and unequal power dynamics inherent in an immigration system and country that has often treated immigrants as less than. Gonzlezs unique and compelling perspective is much needed as we think about what it means to move beyond welcome to learn from and become like family with our neighbors. I hope this book will challenge you as much as it challenged me!

Jenny Yang , vice president for advocacy and policy, World Relief; coauthor of Welcoming the Stranger

With powerful and evocative stories about her life as an immigrant to the United States, Gonzlez opens our eyes to new perspectives on ancient stories. Her book presses into the complex hope and resilience of people who leave home only to face threats of assimilation and racialized myths. In Beyond Welcome , Gonzlez pushes us past sentimentality and into the fleshy good news of Gods border-crossing, transgressive love.

Melissa Florer-Bixler , author of How to Have an Enemy

Gonzlezs weaving together of biblical stories, immigrant realities, and her own experiences in community brings clarity to how white supremacy and American exceptionalism play a role in our desire to be heroes of good immigrants. This book needs to be in the hands not only of those who are seeking to love immigrants but also of immigrant advocates.

Sandra Maria Van Opstal , pastor, author, activist

In Beyond Welcome , Gonzlez masterfully weaves together biblical scholarship and life experiences to articulate a powerful and compassionate theology of belonging that recognizes all peopleregardless of national origin, language, immigration statusas image bearers of God and part of Gods kin-dom. Its an important and compelling work that I strongly recommend; it provides a road map to help all of us fully live out what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Rev. Adam Taylor , president of Sojourners; author of A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community

Beyond Welcome is a beautiful and compelling invitation to experience the depths of human belonging. With a powerful exploration of Scripture and her own story, Gonzlez boldly calls us to center our immigrant neighbors in our theologies and daily lives. Words, it is very clear, have power and can open doors, writes Gonzlez. This is exactly what we experience in this work: an open door leading toward our shared humanity and collective liberation. This book is a sacred and necessary gift to the church.

Kat Armas , host of The Protagonistas podcast; author of Abuelita Faith

Rooted in Scripture and in her personal experiences both as an immigrant and as an advocate for immigrants, Gonzlezs Beyond Welcome asks weighty questions about how Christians respond to issues of immigration. Whether you agree with her conclusions or notI usually did, occasionally did not, and in a few cases am still wrestling with what I think, long after reading this poignant bookyou will find Beyond Welcome to be challenging, constructive, and helpful in drawing Christians toward an immigrant-centered, Christ-honoring response to a complex issue.

Matthew Soerens , US director of church mobilization and advocacy, World Relief; coauthor of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice , Compassion, and Truth in the Immigration Debate

Gonzlez is wonderfully brave. She tells hard and often hidden truths about immigration, about the church, and about parts of the Bible we often ignore. She does it all in the light of Christ, through his words and action as revealed in Scripture. We all need to take the challenges in Beyond Welcome seriously, particularly those of us who care about Christian engagement in immigrant ministry.

Rev. Alexia Salvatierra , academic dean, Centro Latino, Fuller Theological Seminary