By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
As part of the effort to push for passage of the DREAM Act, the dilemma surrounding the case of Bernard Pastor, an 18 year old young man has come to light. Pastor is perhaps one of the best reasons why we must push for passage of the DREAM Act. He is an example for other young people to follow.
The Associated Baptist Press, in a news story entitled, "Christians join in last ditch effort to pass immigration reform for youngsters," used Bernard Pastor as one of the most pressing reasons why this legislation must be passed in Congress:
"Troy Jackson, an evangelical pastor in Cincinnati, cited the case of 18-year-old Bernard Pastor, a 2010 graduate of the Cincinnati-area Reading High School. Pastor -- a standout soccer player in school and volunteer Pentecostal youth pastor -- was brought illegally to the United States 15 years ago when his parents fled civil war and religious persecution in their native Guatemala. On Nov. 17, he was arrested and detained by immigration authorities after being involved in a minor car accident.
Pastor's high-school friends and classmates have been protesting his detention and deportation proceedings since, and have set up a website, Pray for Bernard, http://www.prayforbernard.com/ to publicize his case and the DREAM Act."
I encourage all of you to go to http://www.prayforbernard.com/, and join with thousands of others in pledging to pray for Bernard Pastor, and join in prayer across this country on Saturday, December 4th, at 1 p.m. (Central time).
"At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4th at the Butler County Jail in Hamilton, students and other supporters will be praying as they conclude a pilgrimage and prayer vigil for their long-time friend, Bernard Pastor. At the same time, committed people of faith and conscience from all over the nation are called to join together in prayer for Bernard, for the thousands living in fear of facing deportation, and to pray for the passage of the Dream Act."
Please join with me and thousands of other committed persons in prayer for Bernard Pastor. As a "volunteer Pentecostal youth pastor," there is no question in my mind that Pastor understands the power of prayer and that God will play a major role in his situation, as well as the thousands living in fear of facing deportation. I urge you to click on Pray for Bernard and sign the pledge of prayer.
It is time that WE PUSH THE DREAM ACT FORWARD in our prayers as well!
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Pray for Bernard Pastor
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Pass the "New" DREAM Act
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
In an effort to pass the DREAM Act in the current session of Congress, the DREAM Act has been changed to meet some of the concerns of Republicans and reluctant Democrats who have voted against the bill in the past. The changes may mean that a bipartisan effort may actually take place in the Congress.
But, it is absolutely critical that you contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the "New DREAM Act" being proposed. There are some changes, but overall it still will allow many deserving undocumented young people to seek an opportunity to continue with their education, dreams, and a journey to citizenship. The young people affected by this bill are children who were brought into this country as small children. They had no choice in the matter and came with their parents seeking a new life and opportunities to better themselves.
For the most part, undocumented immigrants have contributed to the success of our economy and country. In many cases, they have been good workers, good neighbors, and hard working individuals seeking a better life for themselves as their families.
Now with the "New DREAM Act," their children will finally get an opportunity to continue their dream of a better life. Opposition to the DREAM Act is being instigated by rumors, hate emails to Congress, and lies about what the bill will eventually mean to many young people seeking only to improve their lot in life.
We are asking that you contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the DREAM Act today. It is urgent that you please do this so we can put a stop to the thousands of emails, letters, and calls being made by individuals who want this legislation to fail.
Here is a link that will show you the changes made in the DREAM Act.
http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org/blog/blog/dream-act-update-whats-in-this-new-bill/
It is going to take bipartisan support to pass the DREAM Act, please encourage members of Congress to work together to pass this important legislation.
Please pray for bipartisan support and that the bill will pass. It is time that WE PUSH THE DREAM ACT FORWARD!
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
In an effort to pass the DREAM Act in the current session of Congress, the DREAM Act has been changed to meet some of the concerns of Republicans and reluctant Democrats who have voted against the bill in the past. The changes may mean that a bipartisan effort may actually take place in the Congress.
But, it is absolutely critical that you contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the "New DREAM Act" being proposed. There are some changes, but overall it still will allow many deserving undocumented young people to seek an opportunity to continue with their education, dreams, and a journey to citizenship. The young people affected by this bill are children who were brought into this country as small children. They had no choice in the matter and came with their parents seeking a new life and opportunities to better themselves.
For the most part, undocumented immigrants have contributed to the success of our economy and country. In many cases, they have been good workers, good neighbors, and hard working individuals seeking a better life for themselves as their families.
Now with the "New DREAM Act," their children will finally get an opportunity to continue their dream of a better life. Opposition to the DREAM Act is being instigated by rumors, hate emails to Congress, and lies about what the bill will eventually mean to many young people seeking only to improve their lot in life.
We are asking that you contact your Senators and Representatives and ask them to support the DREAM Act today. It is urgent that you please do this so we can put a stop to the thousands of emails, letters, and calls being made by individuals who want this legislation to fail.
Here is a link that will show you the changes made in the DREAM Act.
http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org/blog/blog/dream-act-update-whats-in-this-new-bill/
It is going to take bipartisan support to pass the DREAM Act, please encourage members of Congress to work together to pass this important legislation.
Please pray for bipartisan support and that the bill will pass. It is time that WE PUSH THE DREAM ACT FORWARD!
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
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