It’s not only American university professors, scientists, researchers, doctors and nurses who are contemplating moving to Canada because of the political situation in the United States. Clergy are, too.

U.S. pastors are asking Canadian denominations about job openings. Over 50 clergy have reached out to progressive denominations like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the United Church of Canada.

Some Mennonite pastors are also considering moving, with at least two reaching out to Mennonite Church Canada. They include James (not his real name), who pastors a Mennonite church in the eastern U.S.

James, his wife and their two children are not thinking about leaving because of their church; that is a positive experience.

“There’s a richness about the church, with the members living out their faith,” he said. “Members are supportive, encouraging, generous and kind.”

For James, it’s because of his youngest child, who is trans.

“I keep thinking about what the world looks like for my child with this new administration,” he said. “All those anti-trans messages; there’s something ugly in the air. People at the highest level of leadership in this country are saying such cruel and dismissive things about people like my child.”

The family lives in a state with good laws to protect LGBTQ+ people. But that could change, he said, and the way some people in the Trump administration speak about trans people might allow others to say and do awful things to people like his child.

That is his main concern. “I want them to have a flourishing future,” he said of his child. “They don’t feel safe in the U.S. It sounds like Canada would be a better place.”

Canadian law enables religious workers to more easily immigrate. This would help James, who is in conversation with MC Canada leaders, including Michael Pahl, executive minister for Mennonite Church Manitoba.

“Since Donald Trump’s election, we have seen an increase in interest from pastors in the U.S. looking to move to Manitoba,” Pahl said.

For Jeff Friesen, who directs leadership ministries for MC Manitoba, calls from people like James and others indicate some clergy in the U.S. are reacting to the political and cultural shift.

“Since January, we have had conversations with American Mennonite church leaders who have shared with us their anxiety about what is happening in the U.S.,” he said.

James’ family has not made firm plans to leave.

“We ask ourselves if it is worth it to uproot and go,” he said. But then he thinks of how unsafe his child feels. “Then we know we should go,” he said.