Kansas City Church Training Activists to Confront ICE

In Romans 13:1, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to be lawful citizens, saying, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…”’

Now, a Kansas City, Kan. church is teaching its members to do the opposite and training both members and illegal immigrants how to confront law enforcement.  It’s even moved its services to the basement, alleging it is protecting its congregation from immigration officers.

READ: Lost pages of Paul’s letters found

“It is ironic and shameful, is it not, that the safe spaces we call sanctuaries are no longer safe spaces?” alleges Rick Behrens, senior pastor at Grandview Park Presbyterian Church, according to the “Kansas Reflector.” “Because we are under attack from our own government.”

The church has also become a training ground for community activists, teaching volunteers how to “spot immigration enforcement officers, accompany immigrants and monitor the courts.” Behrens was among several faith leaders and immigration activists who spoke at an interfaith prayer vigil last week, encouraging larger churches to take action as Kansas City prepares to be a host for six matches during the FIFA World Cup this summer.

Jacob Poindexter, senior minister at Wichita United Church of Christ, framed the situation as a moral choice between supporting immigrants and opposing federal law, which has repeatedly been held constitutional by courts.

“If you do something, at least it’s a worthwhile risk,” said Poindexter.

Across the country, many of those trained in similar programs have been involved in confrontations with federal law officers, leading to attacks on police and other authorities, and even the death of activists.

In January, plans to build an ICE detention center in Kansas City were halted after the Kansas City Council passed a five-year ban on permits for non-municipal detention centers, following community backlash, according to KCUR.

Much of the opposition to immigration enforcement has been based on internet rumors and misinformation.  DHS and immigration officials have released data showing a different story. About 80% of people detained by ICE have had criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, prior deportation/removal orders and immigration law violations. There have also been no reports of ICE entering churches or schools, according to Congressional testimony. To the contrary, a winter incident showed former CNN news host Don Lemon joining anti-ICE activists who were filmed invading services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“ICE does not target schools, churches or daycares,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox News. “This is just another false narrative to try and demonize our brave ICE law enforcement, who are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats. If a dangerous or violent illegal criminal alien felon were to flee into a daycare, or a child sex offender is working as an employee, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect the safety of the children.”

The Kansas City metro has not been a center of violence or confrontation with ICE or other federal agencies to this point. That could change with churches training individuals to take a “risk” in their encounters.

It doesn’t appear to be what the Apostle Peter required of followers of Christ when he admonished, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…” as detailed in 1 Peter 2:13–17.

–Alan Goforth