Parakaleó: Encouragement Across Cultures
It has been hard for me to follow the news and see the stories happening around the nation on social media. The divisiveness of immigration being treated as a political issue hurts my heart. This isn’t about the right or the left, but instead it is about people who are made in the image of God. While it still feels distant for many, my family is immigrant-influenced so this feels close to home. Immigrant-influenced families are those who have an immediate family member who is a first-generation immigrant.
While I don’t “look like” someone who would carry the last name Pablo, this has influenced my identity and shaped my calling. God has provided me with unique life experiences and relationships that have helped equip me and open my eyes to the calling He has on my life. I have developed meaningful relationships with immigrants in my community and have seen firsthand the struggles of immigrants trying to integrate. My heart grieves for the way they’ve been treated and the assumptions that have been made. God has given me a passion for ensuring that immigrants are treated with dignity and worth. My heart for immigrants has impacted my professional and academic trajectory. As a social worker, I’ve always had a heart for helping the marginalized and disadvantaged – those who are often overlooked in society. I’m a doctoral candidate and my capstone research focuses on the experiences and challenges associated with immigrants integrating into their new communities.
I recognize that God has positioned me with understanding to both care for immigrants and be a voice on their behalf. My ministry is not only with immigrants but also to advocate on their behalf to seek justice and to foster communities that are welcoming and understanding. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we all have a biblical mandate for Parakaleó – to encourage, comfort, and strengthen one another. By forming meaningful relationships with immigrants in our community, we build bridges for mutual encouragement and connection. True biblical justice involves creating communities where we build each other up and everyone flourishes. How can we do this? Primarily, we must recognize that all people are created in the image of God and treat them accordingly (Genesis 1:27). This might look like: learning names and stories of immigrants in your community, advocating for just policies, or simply offering friendship without agenda. Aligning with Wesleyan theology, we understand the call for holiness as love in action and love for neighbor. Wesleyan theology emphasizes practical Christianity. Jesus identified himself with the least of these. Wesley would ask “How are we treating Christ when we encounter the immigrant?”. My life has been deeply enriched through exposure to diversity and the meaningful relationships with those who speak another language, eat different foods, and have unique cultures and customs.
I long for the day we have corporate worship in heaven with every nation, tribe, people and tongue (Revelation 7:9).This is the beauty of the hope of God’s kingdom. Here and now, I encourage each one of us to bridge cultures for Christ.
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Jessie Pablo is a ministerial student in Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church and is on the District Board of Administration. She co-planted ARISE Church (Roanoke, IN) with her husband in 2020 where she serves in outreach, missions and children’s ministries. She is an Assistant Professor of social work at Indiana Wesleyan University. She has a Bachelors in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Masters in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College. She will graduate with her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky in May 2026.
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Black History Month- A Prayer of Unity
In celebration of Black History Month, Rev. Aeysha Young shared a meaningful prayer reminding us that our differences unite us and that we are better together. May her words inspire us to honor every story, every voice, and the beautiful diversity within the body of Christ.
Watch the prayer here.
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Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy has a long history of creating events for women exploring and living out their call to ministry and the ministry leaders who support them. E2026 is a unique opportunity for 800+ women clergy to connect with like-minded women spanning many denominations. This is a place where women will be re-energized, reaffirmed, and re-ignited as they explore and live out their diverse callings.
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