Why Immigrants Are Important To Me
Immigration is a hot issue in today’s polarized political climate. Everyone has a list of concerns formed by their own experiences and ideology. I surely can’t hope to address all those concerns, that is a job for someone else. But I am happy to share the reason why I think helping immigrants integrate well into our culture is an important gospel issue.
My 7th great grandfather, Francis Dorsett was born in 1715 in Dorsetshire, England. As an adult he experienced a significant spiritual conversion that led him to the Baptist faith. He eventually became a Baptist pastor. In England at that time, it was illegal to be a Baptist - you could only be a member of the state church.
“I’m thankful to the Lord for giving my ancestor the courage to take a risk and bring our family to this fair land. I’m thankful for the churches along the way that helped us, inspired us, and discipled us.”
Rev. Dorsett wanted his children to have the freedom to worship as the Spirit led them. He also wanted to make better lives for them than what a persecuted religious minority could have in England at that time. So he immigrated from Dorset County, England, to the wild frontier of western North Carolina. Though we have no pictures of him, we do know the area where he is buried and have a picture of his memorial stone.
Seven generations later the Dorsett family is spread out across New England, Illinois, Colorado, Montana, Arizona, and Virginia. We are still worshipping the Lord as the Spirit leads us. Most of us are still Baptists. Our family history is filled with stories of church involvement. Without a deep connection to the Christian community, our family would not be where we are today. It was Christians who followed the Lord’s call in Deuteronomy 10:19 and loved my family even though they were strangers in a new land. It was our connection to various churches along the way that helped us integrate into American society. It was our connection to various church entities that helped us gain an education. It was our connections to church that assisted us in times of financial and emotional struggle. Without a doubt, our church connections made us who we are today.
“Just as our gospel connections helped us, I want to ensure that we offer that same help to immigrants today.”
I’m thankful to the Lord for giving my ancestor the courage to take a risk and bring our family to this fair land. I’m thankful for the churches along the way that helped us, inspired us, and discipled us. Just as our gospel connections helped us, I want to ensure that we offer that same help to immigrants today. Join me in praying that new generations of immigrants coming to America will have the same opportunities to make a better life for themselves as my family had. It will make a difference for them. It will make a difference generations from now. It will make a difference in eternity. May we lovingly serve the immigrants among us as we await the fulfillment of Revelation 7:9 and multitudes from every tribe, nation, and language are worshipping at the throne of God.
Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves as the executive director of the Baptist Churches of New England.
