I’ve worked in churches in two different cities that were reaching out to Hispanics, and I’ve come to see some of the same issues in both places. A significant segment of the Hispanic population is here illegally. As we reach out to these people, what obligation do we have to lead them to legalize their situation? Some say that if they become Christians, they must return to their home countries. Others disagree.

Something else I’ve come to see. Many of these people seek to avoid all things that will bring them under government scrutiny. This includes marriage. A growing number of them are living together because they don’t want to file paperwork with the government. As these people become Christians, what do we do with them? I’ve heard some say that we can offer them a “spiritual” ceremony without the marriage license. Others say that churches must follow the law, as must individual Christians. If these people want to become Christians, they must marry and face the legal consequences.

How would you deal with these sticky issues?