The Story of Bernard Pastor

A few weeks ago, news of the arrest and planned deportation of 18-year-old Bernard Pastor rocked the Cincinnati suburb of Reading, Ohio. Since the age of three, Bernard has called the USA home and has spoken English as his first language. His community knows him as a soccer star, part of the homecoming court and a student pastor. Graduating at the top of his class, Bernard dreams of one day going to college and becoming a church pastor.

This past Saturday, December 4th, several hundred people around the nation and around the world prayed for Bernard. Over 100 gathered in the snow for a two-hour prayer vigil and pilgrimage. The prayers on the lips of so many are for Bernard to be free, for the undocumented young people who live in fear and hiding, and for the passage of the Dream Act.

Many are asking, "what can be done now?", and "how can I help?". There are three concrete ways in which you can take part in the struggle.

• First, you can Pray Daily for Bernard and for the Dream Act.
• Second, Speak Up for Bernard and the Dream Act by sharing his plight with your friends or calling your elected officials.
• Third, Reach Out to young undocumented men and women in your community who are living in fear or even facing deportation.

The following list of people have prayed and/or are continuing to pray for Bernard, undocumented students and the DREAM Act. Please join the movement by entering your information below, and share Bernard's story with your friends by sending them a link to this page.