As fear and tension rise around immigration enforcement in North Texas, Rev. Eric Folkerth has helped lead an interfaith clergy vigil outside the Dallas ICE field office—an act of prayerful presence in the face of injustice.
In this episode of Good God, George Mason talks with Rev. Folkerth about what happens at these weekly gatherings, how they began, and why he believes prayer can be both faithful and prophetic. Together they discuss the growing anxiety among immigrants, the tragic shooting that drew national attention to the Dallas ICE facility, and the moral toll of policies that harm both migrants and public servants.
Grounded in scripture and compassion, their conversation calls people of faith to resist fear, welcome the stranger, and embody moral courage in public life.
Rev. Eric Folkerth is senior pastor of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. A longtime minister, musician, and activist, he’s known for his work at the intersection of faith and justice.
Restrictive voting laws and immigration policies shape who has a voice in our democracy. Attorney and activist Eric Cedillo joins Good God to discuss his work expanding voting access, advocating for Latino communities, and pushing for immigration reform. He and George Mason explore the systemic obstacles that keep people from the ballot box, the political roadblocks to reform, and the power of grassroots action to create change. With the Super Mega Marcha approaching, this conversation is a powerful reminder that democracy depends on those who show up.
Cedillo is the founder of The Law Offices of Eric Cedillo, a professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, and a longtime advocate for victims' rights, civic engagement, and access to justice.
This episode reflects on immigration through the lens of faith, with the Faith Commons team exploring how religious stories emphasize compassion for migrants. Drawing on biblical narratives and personal experiences, the conversation addresses the realities of an unknown future and the complexities of immigration policy today, urging voters to consider the values of hospitality, justice, and care for the vulnerable as they head to the polls.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
Reverend Dr. Lillian Daniel, of First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa, talks pronouns, biblical interpretation, and her preference of religion over spirituality.
Read MoreHugo Magallanes, Associate Dean of Perkins School of Theology and professor of Christianity and Culture, joins us today to discuss how he weaves the subject of immigration into his academic work.
Read MoreTess Clarke, director of We Welcome Refugees, shares her most impactful stories, and stresses the importance of putting yourself in the shoes of an immigrant.
Read MoreJesús Romero is the director of the ISAAC Project, a San Antonio-based organization that can help churches become more involved in immigration aid. Hear his story as a first generation immigrant and advocate for the cause.
Read MoreSid Earnheart is an immigration attorney and advocate for Texas Impact. He also has a ministry degree from Perkins School of Theology. Hear how he merges all three perspectives.
Read MorePia Orrenius, VP and senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, discusses the economics of immigration. She and George also explain how migration is a central theme in the biblical story.
Read MoreElket Rodriguez, an immigrant and refugee specialist, works for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Fellowship Southwest. He addresses common myths about immigrants, and offers four practical suggestions for how you can help.
Read MoreLaura Collins is the director of the Bush Institute, SMU Economic Growth Initiative. She shares compelling arguments as to why immigration is good for the economy.
Read MoreJohn Garland is pastor of the San Antonio Mennonite Church, and hospitality to strangers is at the heart of his work. Garland shares remarkable modern-day stories that sound like they were taken out of a page of the New Testament.
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