USA (MNN) — The Great Commission applies to all believers, but not everyone is called to be a missionary overseas. That doesn't mean you're not called to international missions, though.
There are many ways to do international missions right in your own backyard; one significant way is to reach out to the immigrant population around you. These are people who have traveled a long way and must work through difficult and stringent legal systems. And they may not know anyone at all.
IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute is a 40-hour Basic Immigration Law training offered in collaboration by Immigrant Hope and World Relief. This class surveys a wide range of topics in immigration law, including naturalization, family-based visas, admissibility and deportability issues, and legal ethics and practice.
Every immigrant hoping to live in the United States legally must pass through the complex, daunting immigration legal system. Learning about immigration law can give you an insight into the lives of the immigrants around you, awareness of how best to support and help them, and a new perspective on important national policy issues.
As you build relationships, opportunities to share the hope found in heaven can easily open, too.
Learning the basics of immigration law can also be the first step to starting a ministry at your church. Learning laws helps you toward gaining Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accreditation, the government certification that allows non-attorneys to practice immigration law.
Earning BIA accreditation will allow you to expand the scope of services offered by your church or non-profit agency.
The Evangelical Free Church of America reports that the IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute will be offered at Trinity International University in Chicago, Illinois, May 14-18. The course will touch on all areas of immigration law and practice focusing on topics most relevant to those serving and representing low-income immigrants.
While you're there, you can even earn college credits from Trinity for attending IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute.
Apply to attend the IMMIGRANT PATHWAY Institute here. The application is free and is not a commitment to attend. The conference registration itself is $433. Registration is open until April 25, 2012.
