A new Lifeway study found that 91 percent of evangelicals support immigration legislation that guarantees stricter borders. The same number also supports immigration policies that respect the God-given dignity of every person. The Women of Welcome group does this by simply approaching the issue from a biblical rather than a political perspective.

“I have worked in the pro-life movement, particularly for premature babies and children trapped in foster care or waiting for forever families. And I was just challenged by a friend who actually worked in immigration at World Relief to say this. “Hey, does your pro-life agenda, your pro-life biblical worldview extend to those across the border?”

Bri Stensrud, the group's leader, told CBN News their initial answer was no. A trip to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2019 changed her heart and mind.

“I met at-risk mothers and migrant children who were also mothers themselves because of the violence they had experienced in their countries,” Stensrud explained. “And they were looking for security, they were looking for a different life. And that wasn't the narrative I heard. Nor was it the narrative that my other friends and my conservative Christian circles heard. And that's how it really was.” It saddened me because I thought that if my friends could see what I saw on the other side of the border, they would be just as sad.”

Stensrud believes that if there were no partisan politics, other Christian women would probably share their feelings openly. “It's very hard to untangle yourself and sit back a little to get the bigger picture. Because right now each party is being fed a certain narrative about what should happen at the border. “We should see what is happening at the border as an opportunity, an opportunity for the gospel, an opportunity for the eternal kingdom,” she said.

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This possibility becomes a reality when Women of Welcome travel to the border. There are many opportunities to pray for migrants and border patrol agents, and officials are asking for prayers for rising suicide rates among their ranks, security concerns and help for their families.

“Every officer has always accepted our prayers and we gather them in a circle, lay hands on them and thank them for showing up in some of humanity's most difficult places and trying to affirm the dignity of people when they approach her,” said Stensrud.

Although her work is not politically motivated, Stensrud admits his disappointment that the country's leadership has made no progress on the immigration issue.

“Then some critics actually show up and convince people otherwise. And Americans in general, but conservative Christians, want a solution for vulnerable people showing up at our border and for vulnerable people around the world,” she said. “We want people to work together to promote people’s well-being, no matter what party you support in any given year.”

As the nation continues to grapple with the issue, Stensrud says the Bible calls her and others to take the lead.

“The Lord will hold us accountable for how we treat the traveler. You don't have to give up conviction to develop compassion, and just come in and see what the Lord is saying throughout the entire arc of Scripture and let that inform you of the way in which this happens.” You are taking a political stand to find a solution for thousands and thousands of people and Americans,” Stensrud said.