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The spring 2011 issue of The Review of Faith & International Affairs features an article by Moravian Theological Seminary student Rev. Charles Olmeda entitled “The American Faith Community and a Just Integration Strategy.” Charles’ article is one of many within the journal that focus on the relationship between Christianity and immigration reform in the United States. He was commissioned to write the article by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), of which he currently serves as East Coast Director.
The NHCLC is a sister organization of the National Association of Evangelicals and focuses its mission around seven directives: life, family, the Great Commission, stewardship, youth, education, and justice. Charles has been with the NHCLC since its inception, first serving as one of the initial members of the board, and later as Christian immigration liaison due to his active involvement within the community. He describes his role as a “mouthpiece” of the organization, and is charged with transposing its international initiatives onto a more local scale.
For Charles and the NHCLC, the implementation of a just integration strategy has been a goal for decades. When asked how immigration reform impacts faith communities on a more local level, Charles reflected, “That’s the most difficult part of what we do. It’s not an issue of immigration, it’s an issue of people, and from there, it’s an issue of justice.”
In addition to his work with the NHCLC, Charles is the founder and Senior Pastor of Third Day Worship Center in Allentown, PA, alongside his wife, Reina Olmeda. Third Day Worship Center began initially as a mission for the predominantly Hispanic population in Bethlehem and has grown to a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic ministry. Charles is also President of Solutions Services, Inc., a community development organization in Allentown. He has been an MDiv student at Moravian Seminary since fall 2009.
Charles’ full article can be downloaded here. |
