WHEREAS, God created every human being in his image and calls his people to show justice, mercy, hospitality, and love toward the vulnerable and the stranger, affirming the worth and dignity of every person regardless of ethnicity or national origin (Genesis 1:26-27; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Leviticus 19:34; Matthew 25:35; Ephesians 2:14-19); and
WHEREAS, For more than eighty years the Southern Baptist Convention has addressed refugees, displaced persons, immigrants, and those fleeing war, persecution, atrocities, and genocide by affirming both compassionate ministry and the responsibility of governments to maintain lawful order, secure borders, and implement humane immigration systems (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; Romans 13:1-7); and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists reject racism, nativism, ethnic supremacy, and dehumanizing rhetoric, affirming that Scripture alone defines our identity, worth, and unity in Christ and that no person bearing the image of God should be reduced to a slur, statistic, or political problem (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 4:6; James 2:1-4); and
WHEREAS, Large-scale and often disorderly migration has strained communities, harmed migrants and American citizens, and diminished confidence in the rule of law, underscoring the need for immigration systems marked by order, clarity, due process, timely adjudication, integrity in asylum processes, fairness, and humane enforcement (Proverbs 31:8-9; Zechariah 7:9-10); and
WHEREAS, While immigration through means that violate American law has been and continues to be a problem, many immigrants and refugees have carefully followed the proper procedures for entering the nation lawfully; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptist churches include men and women of numerous ethnicities and are positioned to bear faithful gospel witness through ministries of hospitality, discipleship, practical service, and Christ-centered community that strengthen both Great Commission effectiveness and the peace of our communities (Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 13:2; Revelation 7:9); and
WHEREAS, Leaders representing diverse Southern Baptist ethnic fellowships have recently affirmed the importance of compassionate and lawful immigration policies, dignifying language, religious liberty, and gospel-centered ministry to immigrant and refugee communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 9-10, 2026, reaffirm our longstanding conviction that every human being possesses God-given worth and dignity as an image-bearer of God (Genesis 1:26-27); and be it further
RESOLVED, That the church is called to faithful gospel proclamation, love of neighbor, hospitality to the stranger, and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 10:25-37); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm the call to pray for governing authorities as they lead the civil government in carrying out its responsibility to secure borders, enforce immigration laws, maintain an orderly and credible immigration system, and pursue clear, enforceable, and humane policies that uphold both justice and mercy, recognizing that the government is not the church and the church is not the state, though both remain accountable to God for the stewardship of their distinct callings (Micah 6:8; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reaffirm support for lawful immigration enforcement carried out justly, humanely, and according to due process, including the removal of those whom the government duly prioritizes for deportation and accountability for criminal activity, human trafficking, and unlawful employment practices; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we reject amnesty, understood as forgiveness of legal violations without accountability; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we also reject nativism, racial or ethnic hostility, ethno-nationalism, discrimination, and all ideologies or rhetoric that deny the equal worth and dignity of any people group regardless of immigration status, while also affirming that Christian compassion and hospitality do not negate lawful order or excuse indifference to public justice and social peace (Ephesians 2:14-19; Hebrews 13:2); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we exhort the government to take particular care of children and families, insisting upon respect for the God-given worth and dignity of every person and the religious liberty of churches to minister freely (Zechariah 7:9-10; Matthew 19:14); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptist churches to strengthen faithful gospel ministry among immigrants and refugees, and seek one another’s good through shared civic values, practical service, and Christ-centered community as we proclaim the gospel to people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Matthew 25:35; Revelation 7:9).