I first learned about Haiti in a video series called “You Can Make a Difference” by Red Letter Christians founder Dr. Tony Campolo nearly forty years ago. I learned of their extreme poverty, the threats of violence and terrorism surrounding Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier and his paramilitary police force called the Tonton Macoute, and the instability of the nation following a popular uprising in 1986 to overthrow Baby Doc’s regime. Mostly, I remember Dr. Campolo calling me as a teenager to truly see those suffering under threat and injustice, to stand with them, and to labor for justice.

In August of 1986, I was part of a 16-day mission trip to Haiti where I experienced firsthand the people of this nation, and saw their resolve, hope, faith, and strength in the face of extreme poverty, oppression, and violence.

Last Sunday I attended Central Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio where Haitian residents are under severe threat in the crucible of race, immigration, faith, and extreme polarization that mark this era. On social media and at political rallies, too many voices are spreading lies, disinformation, and evoking dehumanizing language against our Haitian siblings.

As I pulled into the church parking lot, I immediately noticed a police cruiser. The scene inside was chaotic–a squirrel had chewed through some wires that morning and the church lost power until about 30 minutes before the service. Cameras and reporters buzzed around the building. As people gathered, tension filled the air. Then Elena Elmore, the worship leader, led us in a time of praise, and sang a few amazing spirituals that tethered us to our ancestors, and the long struggle for justice in the face of fear and attack.

During the sermon by Dr. Carl Ruby on the biblical grounding for loving our immigrant siblings, he invited our Haitian kindred in the service to stand. The entire congregation broke into thunderous applause, and we rose as one to give them a standing ovation.

For me, the highlight of the service was communion. Pastor Ruby invited the Haitian leaders to come forward first, and as they went forward to remember and celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, they received warm embraces from church leaders. As the rest of the congregation came forward, one after another expressed their solidarity through warm eyes and warm hugs.

My experience at Central Christian Church was the closest I’ve ever gotten to the words of Luke 13:29: “Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and take their places at the banquet in the kingdom of God.” I believe this communion moment of solidarity, warmth, respect, and empathy is symbolic of the Church at its best.

In the spirit of this communion, we as–the broader Church, must step up so no community stands alone. Over the coming days and weeks, we must pray, act, give, and sacrifice for and with our Haitian friends. 

Some of the strain Springfield is feeling is due to the impact of the great influx of immigrants over the past few years, according to Springfield mayor Rob Rue. Such growth puts pressure on city and county systems, including schools, health care, and housing. Part of how we love our neighbors in Springfield, including the Haitian community and longer-term residents, is for the government to provide additional resources in any community where such growth is happening, and for the Church to be on the front end of meeting urgent needs in our communities. We are called to love all the people of Springfield, to listen well to their experiences and concerns, and be ready to take action that cultivates spaces of belonging across differences.

Over the past several decades, Christians and Churches in the United States have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on short term mission trips and funding mission work in Haiti. While some of these efforts have been more effective than others, there has been no question in my mind about the altruistic intent of these trips and missions: a love for the people of Haiti, and a desire for them to know and experience the love of Jesus.

Now I wonder: How many of the same churches who funded mission trips and ministries are now breeding grounds for the hate against Haitians that is on full display in Springfield and around this nation? The concern about Haiti and Haitians y seems to be waning the more proximate the Haitian migrants are to us in this country. I wonder if some well-meaning Evangelical churches and ministries actually do more in service of the spiritual growth of white Evangelicals than of Haiti and the Haitian people.

I believe there is another way, a way that embodies what it means to follow Jesus, and it isn’t so much about where you choose to go, but who you choose to be. A way that welcomes immigrants, migrants, and asylum seekers – a way rooted in love. A way that continues to invest in global relationships in healthy, God-honoring ways, by pouring the same intentionality, resources, and love not just overseas, but also for our neighbors in our communities here in the U.S. 

I saw this other way on full display at Central Christian Church, and I saw it again at a listening and prayer call that centered the Haitian community in Springfield, including pastor Viles Dorsainville, who leads the Springfield Haitian Community Help and Support Center. They shared their stories, their faith, their heart, and their invitation to be in deep solidarity with them during this time of duress. We heard prayers from pastors and leaders from around the nation, including Shane Claiborne of the Simple Way. During the call, and as people made commitments to financially support Pastor Dorsainville and his ministry, we see the other way on full display.

Over the next four months, our nation will be a crucible, filled with the issues of race, immigration, faith, and extreme polarization that mark this era. In words, prayers, and actions, may our impurities burn away as we chose the most excellent way – the way of love.