WYOMING, Mich. — At an afternoon Easter service, Rev. Justo Gonzalez II preached to his congregation, "When you stand for justice, that is the resurrected Christ."
For the United Church of Christ in Wyoming, that justice is protecting immigrants who fear being deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gonzalez, the southwest area minister for the church's Michigan conference, calls it the first sanctuary church in the Grand Rapids area.
"[The goal is to] provide a safe and sacred place for people who are being threatened, at risk of deportation, [who] are being harassed," he said. "We're not asking questions about their background or where they come from. We're simply opening up our doors."
The building was abandoned until Gonzalez came in August 2017. He started holding bilingual services in November. Through partnerships with other churches and community groups, Gonzalez started to build resources for a sanctuary.
"We have received more funds than we expected," Gonzalez said. "So we've been able to buy full-sized bunk beds with a single on top, we've created two family rooms with mini refrigerators...then we have a dorm style with another six beds there. And we have a play area for children."
The area, which also contains showers and a commercial kitchen, can host around 10-20 people, Gonzalez said.
"If somebody comes here, they don't enter a shelter, they enter their home," he said. "And we want the amenities of a home to be afforded to them. And we want them to have the welcome."
Gonzalez said the church will not allow ICE agents to enter. Instead, they will have to break down the door.
People will broadcast the raids if they happen, said Geoff Gillis, who attended the service and works with the Rapid Response Network.
"They can break [the door down], but this will be a public act and a public act of injustice," Gillis said.
No immigrants have moved into the church yet. Gonzalez said they have received calls and hope to get the process moving soon.
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