Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on your election as the 47th President of the United States. Please know that we are praying for you here in Kentucky as you begin your second term. May the Lord grant you wisdom, discernment, and strength as you lead our nation through these pivotal times.

I want to express my gratitude for your commitment to a strong pro-life stance and your courage in addressing the dangerous cultural issues surrounding gender ideology. Additionally, I sincerely appreciate your administration’s dedication to protecting the American people from the threat of terrorism and ensuring the safety of our country.

By way of introduction, I am the district superintendent for more than 100 congregations across Kentucky as part of the Church of the Nazarene. Having served as a pastor since 1998, I now serve as what you might call a “pastor to pastors.” My responsibilities include facilitating ministry training, planting churches, filling pastoral vacancies, supporting local and global mission work, and much more.

Mr. President, while I recognize the need for stricter policies on illegal immigration—especially regarding the deportation of violent criminals and gang members—I urge you to consider a compassionate approach for peaceful immigrants who have become integral members of our communities. Many of these people serve as pastors and church leaders and have lived in the United States for years. For many, this country is their only home.

It grieves me to imagine these faithful individuals being separated from their families or uprooted from the communities they have enriched through their dedication and service. They contribute positively to our churches and neighborhoods, love this country, and are being used by God to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Scripture calls us to treat immigrants and refugees with kindness and compassion, reminding us of the shared dignity of all people. My prayer is that we, as a nation, will not view all immigrants through the lens of fear or associate them with those who commit violent acts. Instead, I hope we can distinguish between those who pose a threat and those who seek to contribute to society.

I respectfully ask for your leadership in developing a pathway to citizenship for these people—one that reflects the values of justice, mercy, and opportunity that define our nation. An expedited process for peaceful, law-abiding immigrants would provide them the stability they need to continue contributing to our communities and building better lives for their families.

I appreciate your consideration of this important matter, Mr. President. You are in my prayers as you guide our nation forward.

Respectfully,

Dr. Brian L. Powell