A Church Anew Book Series: Q&A with Rick Rouse, author of “A Journey Called Hope”
Photo by Ferdinand Stohr on Unsplash
Church Anew is delighted to introduce a series that celebrates the books and contributions of leaders in our community. While we can’t share every book or article or milestone, feel free to nominate someone or some piece that you know by emailing support@churchanew.org. Pastor Eric Shafer has led a storied career across the church and will be interviewing authors in this recurring feature. This week, we are happy to present Eric’s interview with Pastor Rick Rouse about his new book, “A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream.”
Eric: How did this book come about? Why did you write it?
Rick: I’ve been pastor of several congregations that have assisted in resettling immigrant families. Most recently we helped a family from Ukraine who were religious refugees. So, I have come to know the challenges of immigration first hand. In 2023, the UN reported that over seventy-six million people were displaced around the globe, eight million by natural disasters, sixty-eight million by conflict and violence. This year that number is certainly higher with the majority of two million Palestinians in Gaza who have been driven from their homes. This is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time, and rather than working on actual solutions, politicians in our country are using it as a political wedge issue. I’ve been disturbed by the denigrating of immigrants and refugees—calling them murderers or rapists, falsely accusing them of taking away our jobs or poisoning our culture and way of life. I wrote this book because I wanted to change the narrative and help people be more informed about this complex issue.
Eric: What is a short summary of the book?
Rick: It begins with a foreword by my friend Rick Steves—a travel writer and television personality—who talks about the importance of getting to know and appreciate people with cultural traditions different from our own. The first chapter deals with the checkered history of immigration in the United States. Chapter two seeks to counter some of the misperceptions and misinformation about immigrants; and presents the case for why America needs immigrants to ensure a healthy economic future. In chapter three, the reader learns about the complex immigrant journey and how refugee agencies are overcoming political barriers to resettle immigrants and help them thrive in the U.S. Chapters four through eleven are individual stories about some amazing individuals and families who have found a better life here, are contributing to their communities, and are now living the American dream. The last chapter invites the reader to join in keeping the American dream alive by embracing and celebrating the rich diversity that is the United States of America.
Eric: Your book is full of inspiring stories of immigrants and refugees. Which story stands out among these for you?
Rick: I was fortunate to partner with Global Refuge—formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services—who put me in touch with some incredible individuals from around the world who found a home here in America. One of my favorite stories is a man from Liberia who was forced to flee with his wife during the civil war there. They eventually relocated to Montana where he is now the mayor of Helena and his wife is on the faculty of the local university’s school of nursing. I was touched by their fortitude and courage as well as their gratitude for the opportunities given them. I was also impressed that they not only made a better life for themselves and their children, but are now contributing to the health and well-being of their community. Both Mayor Wilmot Collins and his wife Maddie are impacting many other lives for good.
Eric: How can this book help the reader understand and deal with the issue of immigration today?
Rick: I want to educate my fellow citizens on both the truth and urgency of the immigration issue. First, I seek to share the incredible journey and sacrifice of most immigrants and refugees. Second, I attempt to dispel the myths that are used to demonize immigrants and refugees. A) Data shows that very few crimes are committed by immigrants. Ninety-nine percent of migrants are upstanding members of their communities who pay taxes. B) They are not taking away our jobs because most are in the service industry, construction, or agriculture where we can’t find enough native-born laborers. C) Because the U.S. is an aging population with plummeting birth rates, we need immigrants to ensure a healthy economy going forward. Third, the book offers a reasonable argument to work for real and practical solutions like providing a path to citizenship for some and streamlining our immigration system for others.
Eric: What would you like your readers to take away from this book?
Rick: At least three things. First, a recognition that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants. Unless we are Native Americans or African Americans whose forebears were brought here against their will, our families came here for a better life. We can and need to help others do the same—especially as we are facing a world-wide humanitarian crisis. Second, an understanding that immigration is a source of renewal and vitality for both our country and our economy. I think it’s interesting to note that according to a poll by the Public Religious Research Institute, the majority of Americans (55%) believe that growing the number of newcomers actually strengthens American society. And finally, third, an affirmation that our diversity as a country is America’s greatest strength.
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You can order your copy of A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream from Amazon or from the publisher, Chalice Press, which is offering a 20% discount from this link -
https://chalicepress.com/collections/new-releases/products/a-journey-called-hope .
Rev. Eric Shafer
The Rev. Eric C. Shafer is a regular contributor to Church Anew and serves as “Pastor in Residence” for Global Refuge - www.globalrefuge.org - which is now in its 85th year serving immigrants and refugees. He has served ELCA congregations in Pennsylvania and California and was the ELCA’s Communication Director, a synod bishop’s assistant, and an interfaith communication executive. He and his wife, Kris, live at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California.
