by On January 22, 2026, CCDA Member and Executive Director of Border Perspective, Yonathan Moya, spoke at a press conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He spoke along with the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, World Relief, UNDIVIDED, and local partners. We are grateful for CCDA members like Yonathan who are raising their voices to advocate for our neighbors.
Here is what he shared.
Good afternoon,
I’m here as a member of the Christian Community Development Association and the immigration network there. In addition, I come representing the peacemaking work of Border Perspective and my home city of Minneapolis.
At the heart of our faith are two inseparable commands: to love God and to love our neighbor. Jesus makes it clear that our love for God is revealed in how we treat the people among us. We cannot claim to love a God we can’t see if we do not love our brothers and sisters that we can see.
What we’re seeing happening to our brothers and sisters is not some abstract idea or talking point. Our communities have lost pastors, congregants, neighbors, and friends.
This crisis in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has faces and names.
Over the last several weeks we have watched families live in fear of being separated, pastors unsure if they’ll see their congregants again next Sunday, and as a father, I’ve witnessed children carrying anxiety — something no child should have to bear. To us here in Minneapolis, these are not just headlines; they are our neighbors we pray with, worship alongside, and serve every day. Their absence leaves real wounds in our churches and neighborhoods.
When one part of the body suffers, Scripture reminds us that we all suffer together.
The prophet Amos declares, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Justice, in the biblical sense, is not harsh or indiscriminate-it restores, protects, and makes room for life to flourish.
As followers of Jesus, we believe faith must be lived out publicly. Loving God compels us to stand with our neighbors and to speak when dignity is threatened and to be loud when communities are harmed.
We are here today to call for practices that reflect justice, mercy, and love — not fear or dehumanization. We are urging our leaders to act with moral clarity, to be brave, so that our communities can be places of safety and belonging for every person made in the image of God.
Watch an encouragement from Yonathan!
About Yonathan Moya
Yonathan Moya has spent most of his adult life serving on the mission field throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He’s traveled all throughout the region and has been involved in community development projects in Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Haiti, and Cuba. Yonathan is the Founder and Executive Director of Border Perspective. He grew up on the U.S. and Mexico border and now lives with his wife, Megan, their son Jude, and mini-Goldendoodle, Fitz, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
