Immigrants a Catalyst for America's Revival?
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In The New Pilgrims, author Joseph Castleberry makes the case that immigrants are contributing powerfully to the growth of religion in America and especially to Christianity.
Castleberry, who is president of Northwest University, said that rather than mistrust new immigrants, Christians should welcome them and appreciate the "high-octane faith" that many of them bring.
Castleberry documents how immigrants have become the catalyst for growth in a number of denominations. For example, starting in 2001, the Assemblies of God has seen its entire recorded net growth coming from ethnic minorities through immigration.
In 2001, whites made up 71 percent of the denomination. Today, it's fallen to 59 percent with Hispanics growing from 16 to 21 percent.
Castleberry argues that immigrant churches of all kinds should be welcomed, including ethnic churches that encourage members with a similar ethnicity and language as well as bilingual churches and international churches.
He's optimistic that America's immigrants will help spur the U.S. towards revival.
CBN's Heather Sells spoke with Castleberry about his book. Click play to watch.
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