The News

Over the last several days, Wilson County—and honestly much of our wider community—has been buzzing with outrage, fear, anger, and division over reports of a proposed ICE detention center. Social media lit up. Lines were drawn. Accusations were made. Passions ran hot.

And then… it appears much of what fueled the outrage wasn’t even true.

Fake news has a way of doing that. It spreads faster than facts, ignites emotions quicker than truth, and divides people long before clarity ever arrives.

But here’s the part that’s been weighing heavy on my heart:

How easily and how passionately we rally around things like this—yet how quiet we often are when it comes to sharing the love of Christ and the life-changing hope of the gospel.

Scripture reminds us, “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). That doesn’t mean concerns don’t matter. It doesn’t mean justice, compassion, or wisdom aren’t important. They are. But outrage without truth, and passion without love, will never reflect the heart of Jesus.

Jesus saw crowds who were confused, broken, sinful, and far from God—and the Bible says “He had compassion on them” (Matthew 9:36). He didn’t reduce people to labels. He didn’t lead with fear. He led with truth and grace.

While we argue over rumors, there are people right next to us—neighbors, coworkers, parents at ballgames, families in our community—who are lost and desperate for hope. People who don’t need another argument but desperately need a Savior.

Paul wrote, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The real battle isn’t political, cultural, or social—it’s spiritual. And the mission hasn’t changed: “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

Imagine if the same energy we pour into online outrage was poured into prayer.

Imagine if the same urgency we feel about rumors was matched by urgency for the lost.

Imagine if our loudest message was not fear or frustration, but love, truth, and the good news of Jesus Christ.

The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). It’s what transforms hearts. It’s what unites people who would otherwise be divided. And it’s what our world—confused, angry, and hurting—needs most.

May we be a people who seek truth before reacting, love before arguing, and the mission of Christ above all else.