Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation

by Bri Stensrud

You've seen the headlines. You've watched the TV footage. People around the world are in dire situations and on the move. Current estimates suggest over 100 million people are forcibly displaced from their homes and seeking refuge in other countries. It seems as if everyone wants to come to the U.S., and if we're honest, that gives many of us pause.

As Christians we're supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves. But we can't stop wondering if we showed welcome to the world, would it change our culture? Would it make us less safe? Would it be a drain on our taxes and local communities? Whether we realize it or not, our fears have trumped our faith. We fear those who seek a new life in our midst.

So does the Bible have anything to say about immigration? Or is it just a political issue? Is it a pro-life issue? Where does this all fit in my faith and worldview?

You have questions. You have fears. But you also have compassion.

So, let's start there.

Let's have the conversation you've always wanted to have about immigration. Let's ask hard questions and detangle from the easy talking points that still leave us curious about our calling. Let's attach confidence to your compassion.

Get ready to dive into the whole of scripture to better understand what God calls us to do concerning immigrants and refugees. It's a journey, and I'm here to take it with you.

In Start with Welcome, Bri Stensrud reveals that something is stirring in the American Church. Something much bigger than platforms, politics, and pundits. Something that could literally change the world.

It all starts with one Welcome.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Social Justice

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2024

Reviews

[Kate Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book! (One of the best I’ve read as I navigate immigration from a Christian, pro-life stance) ❤️

[Madelyn VK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every American Christian should read this. Thought-provoking and challenging in the best of ways.

[Michelle Struck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this book 5 stars because it is informative and practical. If you have a heart to welcome and help immigrants and refugees, this book is a great place to start. Jesus welcomes us and calls us to be his hands and feet to welcome others. This book gives practical ways to do that along with information to better understand immigration policy in our country and ways to advocate for change. I highly recommend reading this book and putting into practice what you learn.

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A paraphrase from Bri Stensrud’s book, Start With Welcome: Mary and Joseph had to take Jesus and flee Bethlehem because of Herod’s edict to kill all boys under the age of 2. The young family became refugees.

Getting beyond the excuses and actually taking care of refugees should be a mandate for Christians, instead of turning our backs on them. Bri tells it all. It’s a real eye opener for those that follow Jesus and for people that are compassionate and care about their neighbors.

This is a book I’ve prayed about being written and Bri has done a wonderful job with it.

[Elizabeth Luttrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love! This book was amazing! I would love to highlight the entire book. I’m a pastor’s wife in a conservative church while also serving as a public school educator in schools with many immigrants and refugees. I’ve felt so lonely over the years in my views and passion to see these students and their families flourish in my community. So much of it resonated with me (and brought me to tears). I’m looking forward to sharing it with my social circle and my elected officials!!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. Compelling, thoughtful, convicting… I would highly recommend any Christian read this book! Proximity leads to prospective. We can’t shy away from things!

[Leigh Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best non-academic book I have read on immigration…everyone should read!!!

[Hannah Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was challenging(the topic)but a necessary read! I heard Bri Stensrud share at a women’s conference and was intrigued by her story of going to the border. I listened to this book on audiobooks which really impacted me as the author herself narrates. I wish I would have picked up the physical copy because there would be so much I would highlight. It would be a great resource to have on hand.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a conservative evangelical with a history of pro-life work - Start with Welcome is a great read for all believers on the topic of immigration. It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you are on, this book will humanize the discussion and make you look deeply at how God treats immigrants and refugees. Going into this politically charged year, I think all Christians should give this book a read.

[Michalla Arbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is not just a political issue. This is a biblical issue.”

[Laura Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian needs to read this book.

[Anna Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Christians should read this book. A life-changing and important perspective for Christians to have.

[Lauren Gurnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read for Christians who are interested in learning more about immigrants and refugees and how our faith calls us to receive them.

[Clair Culberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the author’s heart behind the book and the ministry that she and Women of Welcome do. I would love to be involved with what they do, especially because I know people who live and work in Juarez. That being said, I had a few issues with this book.

In the beginning of the book, the author states that this will not be a political conversation, but rather a bipartisan look at immigration and what should be the Christian response. In reality, the book does politicize the issue, talking in great detail about the “positives” and “negatives” of what past presidents have done concerning immigration and refugees in America. She references one President more than others, quoting him and talking about his immigration and refugee policies in a very negative light. While I can agree that the words he used and the rhetoric he spread was unkind, I found these portions of the book to be divisive, unnecessary, and unhelpful to the overall purpose of the book.

Furthermore, I did not appreciate what felt like emotional manipulation via the usage of the personal story of Miguel, a person trying to immigrate. I (and most people) can’t do anything about his immigration status since I am not in politics/government work, so that story felt like it was being used to manipulate my feelings on illegal immigration and the overall American immigration system. Along with that, the author’s description of the State Department and their requirements for immigration was not fair or accurate, and therefore once again unhelpful to the overall purpose of the book.

Other than giving reading/video resources and joining Women of Welcome, this book did not give hardly any recommendations on how to love and welcome immigrants and refugees. How can I love them well? How can I integrate them into my life? Where do I meet them? Where do I start? These questions were not answered. As someone who already has a great love for immigrants and refugees, I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately felt like it was too emotionally and politically driven to be impactful. The author’s passion for immigrants and knowledge of current events is clear in this book, and if you know nothing about those things, it could be a good read, but unfortunately I do not see it changing the minds of people who come into it against refugees or immigrants, and that is very disappointing.

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is not an open-borders conversation. Choosing Christlike welcome, particularly along the border, is complex, but it's worth examining. Is it possible to have safe and secure borders (for the flourishing of people on both sides of the fence) and compassionate care of people who present themselves to our agents at the border? I believe so. This isn't an either/or conversation, but rather a both/ and. Loving our neighbors well forces us to carry this tension.”

Immigration is more than a political issue, it’s a gospel issue–and a gospel opportunity! In light of that, I wanted to share this resource for the good food-for-thought that I believe it is. We need more books and resources like this, especially in evangelical spheres where immigration and the crisis at our nation’s border do not tend to receive the attention that they deserve.

I love the heart behind this book and found it to be very helpful and informative. If you are interested in learning about immigration policy and history, this book would be an excellent starting place. I especially appreciated the first-hand accounts included at each chapter’s closing.

Warning: reading this book will break your heart. Once you know, you can’t look away, so read with caution.

[Suzanne Bergstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely and important read that explores God’s heart for the immigrant, the value of proximity, and what it means to be holistically pro-life. The immigrant stories woven throughout are powerful and deeply moving.

“Our fears have trumped our faith.”

“Jesus is found in hard places, not comfortable places.”

“When you move to this Kingdom mindset of what God cares about, you move off of this ‘country’ or ‘empire’ mindset that says, ‘Citizenship first. America first.’ As Christians, we have a different mindset that’s supposed to click first—that each and every person we see is made in the image of God and therefore deserving of our care and concern.”

[Ryan George · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Bri Stensrud has built a fantastic bridge for conservative women to connect the Bible’s frequent calls to care for foreigners and strangers within America’s immigration crisis. Stensrud confronts false assumptions with verifiable data. She deftly debunks the false dichotomy of MAGA-approved cruelty and open borders—explaining what overwhelmed government and charity workers have found to be a workable balance of safety and compassion. She appeals to the “pro life” values and motivations and enlarges the application of that morality, and she does this as a political and religious conservative with a significant résumé.

[Prasanta Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential guide to understanding deeper issues involving immigration, migration, and displacement, looking beyond headlines. Inside you'll read a brief history of immigration, as well as responses to major questions and concerns. We are presented with multiple viewpoints, as well as compelling stories and arguments. I highly recommend reading this book for anyone who has questions, concerns, and compassion.

[Ericka Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and thoughtful book from a woman I know is genuine and truly puts her heart into this work.

While I wish there was more of a distinction between us as Christians and how nations can enact appropriate policy, there is so much to ponder here and I appreciated it.

I especially enjoyed the last couple of chapters related to reading the scripture from the perspective of those from different countries. It made me want to learn more and read some of the suggested books.

[Jenelle Cozza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a timely book, especially for those of us in the church who care for newcomers and are feeling alone.
And it gave me a lot to think about and discuss with nonbelievers who don't understand why Christians are so opposed to caring for immigrants. Chapter 7 was my favorite chapter as it addressed a lot of the common questions people ask about immigrants. I feel more equipped to serve the people God has led me to and pray to bring others along with me.

[Tofupup · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Evangelical Christian viewpoint on immigration reform, and I did not expect to enjoy it so much. While a lot of it was not directly applicable to my worldview or experience, there were perspectives on challenging issues that I can learn from. The book could also be a conversation starter for faith communities that have not spoken about immigration much in the past.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent overview of the immigration crisis worldwide and practical application to how to make an impact here in the US. Very convicting for Christians. Some information was new to me, but even with things that I have heard before, I was very moved the way she put the stories and information together.

[Mary P. Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so very helpful in gaining insight into the immigration process and situation in the United States. I read and discussed the book with a group of friends and found it to be an interesting and informative experience. I recommend this to anyone who wants to better understand the problems and challenges surrounding immigration.

[Catherine McNiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to have a role in bringing this book to life, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you are a conservative leaning Christian looking to better understand the immigration conversation, this is an incredibly informed and invitational way to begin.

[Donna Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, well-articulated, well documented, non-partisan biblical look at immigration and what should be a Christian response to it. I willing be sharing it with my pastor and all my Christian friends.

[Jen Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book! So thankful for all I have learned from the Women of Welcome team!

[Shirley Larsen]

Great book on the biblical reasons for treating immigrants with respect and care. Looks at what our lawsa re today and actions taken and how to look at them through a biblical lens

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blew my mind & informed my dancing. Can’t ask for better than that.

[Sarah Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to the conversation; emphasizes the need to L I S T E N to people's stories before forming an opinion on immigration. Really respect this author.

[Mandy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, easy to understand overview of current immigration issues in the U.S. Especially relevant for individuals who are part of the American evangelical subculture.