This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write. I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf. The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie. And it is where you want to be on a golf course.
Attending church yesterday at our regular location in Salem, Oregon, Salem Alliance Church, produced this awe-inspiring experience.
It turned out to be a special Sunday, one that illustrated that ALL people – yes, ALL people – can be children of God. “His family” accommodates all who come to Him.
When we arrived at church, we saw an incredible gathering on the platform. About 30 people from Middle East countries were there to lead us in music and worship.
Many were young children with their parents. There was an overall leader, a gentleman who co-runs a great program, Salem For Refugees, which began in our church five years ago or so and continues to be a priority for the church.
The individuals on the platform sang worship songs in these languages, some in their own language and some in languages they learned:
- Swahili
- Urdu
- Farsi
- French
- Spanish
- English
One of the most awe-inspiring moments occurred when the leader asked everyone – those on the platform and those in the audience – to sing the same song in their own language. It was a great combination of sounds – and it was on key, even if we didn’t know all of the words in other languages.
The individuals on the platform are in Salem because of the work of “Salem For Refugees.”
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the official definition of a refugee “is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.”
In response, Salem For Refugees began at our church to lead all of us in Salem to view refugees as people, to provide for their living and learning expenses, and to give them a chance to choose God, if they had not already done so in their native lands.
Refugees have come from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Ukraine and other places, with Salem as a place that welcomes them.
Overall, the organization provides direct financial support to families re-settled in Salem and the support includes such expenses as rent, utilities, and furniture.
But more than money is involved.
The organization leads an effort for all of us to see refugees as REAL PEOPLE…people who need our help to survive and thrive.
As I said above, our Sunday service also illustrated that Christ accepts all people who accept Him. Not whites like myself who happen to live in the United States. Not persons like myself who happen to speak English. Not persons like myself who happened to grow up in a church.
ALL people!
The words of Scripture put it very well.
Matthew 11:28: “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.”
We saw this first-hand Sunday, an awe-inspiring experience.
Perspective from the 19th Hole 
Excellent column, and echoes my sentiments exactly.