Summary Bri Stensrud, founder of Women of Welcome, and author of the book, Starts with Welcome: The Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, discusses her passion for the immigration conversation and how it changed her personal and professional life. Bri reflects on the disconnect between the evangelical culture she grew up in and the reality of the immigration issue, and how it led her to question her faith, politics, and personal life.  Takeaways The immigration conversation is complex and goes beyond legal and illegal distinctions; it involves understanding the holistic stories of individuals affected by violence, corrupt governments, and civil war. The evangelical culture often prioritizes self-preservation and curated spaces over sacrificially living for others, which can lead to a disconnect between faith and compassionate action. Compassion for immigrants and refugees is not a political stance but a prophetic movement rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Engaging in the immigration conversation requires holding elected officials accountable, advocating for change, and recognizing that no political platform aligns perfectly with pro-immigrant values. Meeting people where they are in their understanding of immigration issues is important for fostering compassion and understanding. Chapters 00:00 The Transformative Power of Encounters 03:46 The Disconnect Between Evangelical Culture and the Reality of the Immigration Issue 08:41 Moving Beyond Legal vs. Illegal 12:18 The Need for a Prophetic Movement: Compassion as a Spiritual Responsibility 27:53 Compassion and Understanding in Immigration Conversations 30:24 Starts with Welcome: A Faith-Filled Perspective on Immigration 33:44 Addressing the Broken Immigration System and the Need for Reform 41:37 Proximity and Compassion: Essential Elements in Immigration Advocacy Read Start with Welcome by Bri Stensrud Check out our website for merch, educational materials, and how to join our community! If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here! Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices