When fear knocks, the church answers

What happens when immigration enforcement reshapes daily life — not in theory, but on the streets, in schools and inside churches?

This 12-minute documentary captures the lived reality of United Methodist congregations in Chicago navigating fear, loss and uncertainty amid increased activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  

Pastors, lay leaders and families share stories of a church that adapts, protects and shows up. From food pantries emptying out because of fear, to pastors praying at sites of tragedy, to churches becoming sanctuaries of hope — this is what discipleship looks like on the ground.

Told in both English and Spanish, the story reveals the human cost behind policies, the quiet courage of communities living under pressure, and the faith that moves beyond preaching into presence.

A four-story series also documents El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry’s visits to congregations in the Chicago area.

Read series in Spanish (click Translate Page in the top right corner to read in other languages).

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Social Concerns
Deborah Bass opens the 59th General Meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal in Charlotte, N.C., on March 18, with her national chairperson’s address. She urged members of the caucus to fight injustice with faith, compassion and courage. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Black caucus wrestles with immigration injustice

The leader of Black Methodists for Church Renewal urged members gathered for the United Methodist group’s annual meeting to respond to current challenges in the church and society with “faith, compassion, justice and prophetic courage.”
Social Concerns
Recipients of sun-powered ovens learn to adapt local recipes to the new cooking method. This photo was taken during a United Methodist Solar Oven Partners workshop for new oven owners in Bo, Sierra Leone, in December 2025. Photo courtesy of Solar Oven Partners.

Solar oven ministry changes lives

United Methodist Solar Oven Partners promotes renewable energy and improves health in vulnerable communities in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone and the Navajo Nation.
Faith Sharing
Photo by Austin Bond; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News

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Graphic for Easter available to download and share on social media.

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