ISAAC center opens at BUA to assist immigrants

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SAN ANTONIO—The Immigration Service and Aid Center opened its doors on the Baptist University of the Américas campus Aug. 30 to help immigrants with citizenship issues.

The ISAAC center is Texas Baptists’ first effort to provide direct help to immigrants as they work within the law and navigate the complicated path toward citizenship. In addition to helping people resolve their citizenship status, the center will serve as a training institute for people who desire accreditation to help immigrants.

In recent years, the ISAAC Project, a collaborative ministry of BUA and the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, has focused on training church leaders to minister to immigrants. With the opening of the center, ISAAC leaders also will provide direct help to those who need it.

 “This is a vision that became a dream that has become a reality,” Steve Vernon, associate executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said during a ceremony before the center’s official ribbon cutting.

Many immigrants attempt to work through their citizenship issues legally, but there are few reputable, affordable options available to them, said Jesús Romero, who leads ISAAC. This new center provides a trusted ally who can provide trustworthy guidance through a complicated system.

 The center and the ministries it spawns provide churches a wonderful opportunity— people lining up for a Christian ministry, Romero said. People who seek legal help will discover Christians who care about them, provide assistance and point them to Christ, he said.

“For the ISAAC Project, this is evangelism,” he said.

BUA President Rene Maciel believes the center will extend the university’s mission. The center’s work will inspire BUA students and provide an avenue through which they can practice hands-on ministry.

“It gives us also that opportunity to help (immigrants), care for them, love them,” he said.


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