Sermon Notes: “The Power of Proximity “
Pastor Anya Holcomb | November 16, 2025
– 1 in 27 people in the world today are international migrants
– There are currently 51.9 million immigrants in the US
– Immigrants comprise 15.4% of the U.S. population.
– 1 in 7 people living in America today were not born here.
– There are currently 117.3 million forcibly displaced people in the world, including 42.5 million refugees
God uses the movement of people for His purposes.
God uses the movement of people to bring about 2-way transformation:
Transformation in people who move & transformation in places they go
God uses the movement of people to transform people who move
The Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son… And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David. Ruth 4:13b & 17b
Let’s join God in his transformative work in the lives of our global neighbors.
Immigrant = foreigner, stranger, sojourner
Over 35 times in the Old Testament, God says to Love Immigrants
He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:18b-19
Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34
Let’s join God in his transformative work in the lives of our global neighbors.
– welcome our global neighbors with love and care
– support them practically as they rebuild their lives in our communities
– share the hope & story of Jesus.
God uses the movement of people to transform places they go
Then King Darius sends this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. (Daniel 6:25 – 26)
Let’s be ready for God to transform our lives & our churches through our global neighbors.
– begin with a posture of humility and a recognition of the value our global neighbors bring to us.
– seek out opportunities to learn from and be led by our global neighbors.
God uses the movement of people to bring about 2-way transformation:
transformation in people who move and transformation in places they go
After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10