Rick Rouse, a retired ELCA pastor and professor, collaborated with Global Refuge on his latest book, A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (Chalice, 2024).
Though the book is timely, it’s also a call to the same actions followers of Jesus have sought to live out since he first preached on welcoming the stranger. Rouse explores the particular circumstances of the history of immigration in the United States and shares personal stories from refugees now living here.
Living Lutheran spoke with Rouse about how A Journey Called Hope carries a meaningful message for the church as its members navigate a swiftly changing world.
Living Lutheran: Could you tell us about your book?
Rouse: In writing A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream, I had four objectives in mind: One, to acknowledge that while a high aspiration of the soul of America is to consider this nation a place of welcome and refuge for all, our history tells a different story.
Two, to offer a counternarrative to the one promoted by some politicians and hate groups—and to debunk ideas such as the “great replacement theory” used to stir up fear among white Americans that immigrants of color will displace them and their positions of power and privilege.
Three, to explore how we can share space on this planet, with the understanding that it is a matter of human dignity for all people to have a safe place to call home.
And four, to show how faith and hope have played an important part in the immigrant journey and why the United States is still a nation of promise, made richer by our diversity.
What was the impetus for writing this book and telling these stories?
The United Nations reports that, as of the middle of 2024, 123 million people around the world were forced to flee their homes due to natural disasters, conflict and violence. This is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. Yet 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 problem.
Many of the stories in the book are [those of] individuals who found a home here and thrived because of Global Refuge and the commitment of Lutherans.
I’ve been a pastor of several congregations that have assisted in resettling refugee families. I have come to know both the challenges and opportunities of immigration firsthand. I sought to personalize the issue by telling stories of some amazing immigrants who have not only made a better life for themselves and their families but are also contributing to their communities.
Are there messages in A Journey Called Hope you think are particularly important for Lutherans to hear?
I was fortunate to partner with the leadership of Global Refuge—formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service—who helped me understand the challenges of their work in resettling immigrants to this country. A ministry of the Lutheran church and among the oldest of [nongovernmental organization] agencies, they have been caring for the needs of refugees since World War II. Many of the stories in the book are [those of] individuals from around the world who found a home here and thrived because of Global Refuge and the commitment of Lutherans to live out the gospel mandate to love the neighbor and welcome the stranger in the name of Jesus.
Is there a piece of Scripture you find most central to this topic?
There are two passages of Scripture that stand out for me and our calling to care for those in need. The first is Leviticus 19:34 (“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God”). The second is Matthew 25:34-45, when Jesus speaks of the last judgment, when the Son of Man invites the righteous to enter heaven.
The timing of the book’s publication seems very apt in light of current events. Is there anything you wish you could go back and add to it from this vantage point?
I believe I anticipated much of the current angst around the threat of mass deportation and the dangerous impact of strictly limiting any immigration to this country. However, what I did not expect was shutting off the spigot of federal aid already budgeted for agencies that are helping to resettle fully vetted refugee families who are already here, providing necessary housing and services to ensure their success. Many of these may find themselves stranded and go homeless while resettlement agencies are forced to lay off much of their workforce.
How are you hoping your readers will engage with the book?
The book is designed for study by congregations and book groups with discussion questions after each chapter. I trust that it will provide new insights and spark robust discussion of the immigration issue. I hope that as a result, more people may become passionate advocates for welcoming and caring for the foreigner, the stranger, the neighbor in need.
Rouse is currently meeting via Zoom with congregations and book groups that are studying A Journey Called Hope. Leaders who are interested in a free session with him may email him at rwrouse@comcast.net. Bulk copies can be purchased at chalicepress.com.
