Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

Florida

Giving Hope and Uniting People in West Palm Beach

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by Andrés Castillo

In February I spent a day brushing up on my Russian at the home of Pavel and Marina, leaders of the Shores of Hope community in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shores of Hope is a ministry that accompanies and ministers to Ukrainian and Russian refugees in the area, as well as other Russian speakers who grew up in the USSR.  

I watched as Tajik friends cooked an aromatic feast of plov (pilaf) and okroshka soup. Homemade Pad Thai joined the spread later. I joined Pavel in a surprise duet—him on balalaika, me on guitar—of Russian folk songs. Monolingual English speakers, second-generation Russian-Americans, first-generation Russian immigrants and Tajiks sat around the living room and shared what was on our hearts and minds and learned about each other’s lives. 

Shores of Hope community members from Tajikistan serve homemade Plov (rice pilaf). Photo by Pavel Gailans.

It was international yet intimate. 

Shores of Hope’s partnership with Mosaic was clear after the first Support Group meeting with Mosaic staff members. At the meeting, Pavel told Shores of Hope’s story: 

“Giving hope and uniting people is our motto,” Pavel says. “We began to meet a lot of people from Ukraine and Russia who were seeking refuge in the U.S. We felt heartbroken about the situation. 

Shores of Hope community members gather in Marina and Pavel’s living room to share what is on their hearts and minds. Photo by Marina Gailans.

We became part of a small Slavic bible study. We asked them if they would be interested in helping spread the Gospel here in Florida and we organized a Christmas concert. 

People in Ukraine are fleeing war, and they need someone that will just love them. The Christmas concert made us realize that God wants us to do this. 

We were in awe of seeing different doors open. We were able to meet many families and welcome them into our home, just to have dinner or talk. Many immigrant families are interested in coming to our home for events.” 

Pavel also shared other aspects of Shores of Hope’s mission: 

“One of our hopes is not just to raise funds for refugee families, but also start a business club to help them learn about the U.S. economic system and what they want to do. 

We also want to address issues related to the war. We are against this war, and we have intentional, challenging conversations in our home with Ukrainians and Russians alike. 

We embrace those who are connected somehow to the Russian language or have an interest in our culture. Meetings and events are held in Russian, and you will find that there is a strong connection between those who grew up in the Soviet Union.” 

Marina and Pavel are currently awaiting work authorization, which will help them financially and make certain processes more efficient. They will continue to host gatherings in their home and minister to the Shores of Hope community.

Drane Reynolds from Homestead Mennonite Church prays for the meal in English while Pavel interprets into Russian. Photo by Andrés Castillo.

“I have very little free time, but I feel blessed to live here in the U.S. and have certain freedoms,” shares Pavel. “We never dreamed that we would know you [Mosaic]. We are grateful that you and MCUSA want to be a part of our lives and believe in what we do. It’s divine encouragement for us.” 

Marina and Pavel have been married nearly 25 years and have two children, Pavel (11) and Anastasia (9). Marina enjoys managing Airbnb properties, but for most of her life she has been involved in ministry and enjoys that even more. Pavel studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He recently took up a chaplaincy role at a hospice facility and an interim pastorship at Homestead (FL).  

Andrés Castillo

Andrés Castillo is the Intercultural Communication Associate for the Conference. Andrés lives in Philadelphia, PA, and currently attends Methacton Mennonite Church. He loves trying new food, learning languages, playing music, and exploring new places.

The New Law Against Immigrants in Florida Affects the Church

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by Javier Márquez 

Editor’s note: Mosaic congregations in Florida requested that we share the impact of FL SB 1718 on their churches. Javier Márquez, Mosaic’s Spanish-language correspondent, wrote this article to share their experiences and perspectives on this legislation.    

There is a new, controversial law that takes effect in Florida on July 1, 2023. This new law, SB 1718, increases measures of isolation and persecution of undocumented migrants in Florida. The law will force businesses with more than 25 employees to verify the immigration status of their workers. In addition, the law will prohibit the free mobilization and circulation of undocumented people by prohibiting the use of driving licenses that are not issued by the state of Florida, a measure that is also directly against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in article 13: “Everyone has the right to move freely and to choose their residence in the territory of a State.”  

These are dark moments for the church in Florida. It is not difficult for us to remember, as Christians, so many stories that have nourished our faith: when Christians were persecuted, when being a Christian was a crime and they took you to the Roman Colosseum to be killed by lions, when the disciples had to flee because the empire had captured and sentenced their Master to death.  

The new law is designed at similar levels of injustice. These are dark moments, and that is why we need a church of light that is useful to society with real actions.  The Mosaic congregations in Florida invite you to pray with them and for them.  

Understanding FL 1718

by Eileen Kinch

Florida’s recent legislation, known as FL 1718, goes into effect on July 1, 2023. This legislation requires employers to check on the immigration status of potential employees.  

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers. Some employers simply chose not to ask for documentation. FL 1718 now stiffly fines employers in Florida for not checking a federal database to determine potential employees’ immigration status. Employers can be fined $1,000 per day for not using the database in a certain time period. 

FL 1718 also requires hospitals to ask about patients’ immigration status. According to the legislation, patients may choose not to answer the question on the form. Patients will not be denied healthcare however they respond. Hospitals send the statistics to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, which then estimates the amount of money spent on undocumented workers. 

Florida’s new legislation also invalidates certain types of driver’s licenses issued to undocumented workers from 19 other states.  

A summary of FL 1718 can be found here. For more information on understanding the bill, see American Immigration Lawyers Association. 

Some updates from Mosaic congregations in Florida:

  • “Here in Tampa (FL), there is also a lot of fear in our faith community.  Our faith community is 95% immigrants; half have gone to other states,” shared Pastor Secundino Casas, Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Shalom (Shalom Evangelical Mennonite Church). “So, we try to respond to those who remain. We have invited an immigration lawyer to our church, to have guidance and first-hand information.” 
  • Pastor Marcos Acosta, pastor of Homestead (FL) Mennonite Church near Miami said, “I was meeting with local organizations and other pastors, and there is a lot of fear in general and bad information circulating on social networks. Last Saturday we organized a protest here in Homestead. We are trying to show support and provide information and be attentive to see how the law is applied. I also heard that here in Homestead, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been more active these last few weeks and that adds to the general fear that exists because of the law.”  
  • “Here at the Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación (Encounter for Renewal Mennonite Church) in Miami (FL), some brothers and sisters are planning to leave the state of Florida,” reported Pastor Andres Mendoza. “Let us ask God together to help them make good decisions and give them peace. One of these families has young daughters, and they are very afraid of being separated from their loved ones. Let us pray together to our God, so that he gives a way out of this situation. Thank you again for your support and your prayers. Peace of God.”  

Javier Márquez