Conference History
In fall 2010, we (a group of pastors, professors, and campus ministers invested at the Nazarene educational institutions on both sides of the Southwest U.S.- Northwest México border) talked about getting people together to discuss relevant issues of immigration and the Church’s response. In our years of working together, we have become increasingly aware of the lack of cross-border dialogue on this pressing issue – even though we were convinced it wouldn’t be that difficult to coordinate in reality.
As our own conversations emerged, we decided to move forward with a conference plan. Since the Northwest Baja district (Church of the Nazarene) holds its Holiness Convention every year in early September, it made sense to offer the Immigration Conference Immediately before.
After considering several conference themes and titles, we borrowed inspiration from 1 Peter 2:11 that names followers of Christ as “aliens and strangers in the world”. We believe that our common identity as strangers is a good framework by which to view the issues we’ll discuss. And we mean discuss. We’re serious about this being a dialogue. While there will be several presentations and workshops, we’ve built in intentional time for response and interaction in both formal and informal settings – even the coffee breaks are purposeful!
This event is jointly sponsored by PLNU’s Office of International Ministries and the Tecate Nazarene Seminary of the Northwest Baja México district of the Church of the Nazarene. We are grateful to both schools for their commitment to open, honest, compassionate, informed dialogue on border life and immigration issues.
We eagerly look forward to spending time with you in Tecate. Please be sure to contact us with any questions.
Peace,
The Conference Coordinators
Laura Lopez
Director, Tecate Nazarene Seminary
Pastor, Tijuana First Church of the Nazarene
Ataulfo Lopez
Professor, Tecate Nazarene Seminary
Pastor, Tijuana First Church of the Nazarene
Alejandro Torres
Professor, Tecate Nazarene Seminary
Pastor, Tijuana La Mesa Church of the Nazarene
Melissa Tucker
Associate Director of International Ministries
Point Loma Nazarene University
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