Border Perspective - Partnership Booklet

COME JOURNEY WITH US

We actively serve the border region by responding to both physical and spiritual needs. We collaborate with local churches to provide assistance during natural disasters, offer meals and food to combat food insecurity, and extend shelter to migrant families during the winter months. Our commitment is to be a tangible source of support and compassion for those facing hardships along South Texas.

Response of The Church

“I think that it’s a test that God is giving to the church at this time. How the church postures itself before the stranger, before need, before the person passing through difficult times. … The word of God tells us to protect, care for, and help the foreigner who comes into our home. In this case the United States is the home.”

- Rev. Hugo Moya

PARTNERSHIP

We believe that the Kingdom work God calls us to requires the communal and collaborative efforts of His Body, namely the Church. Without the power of His Holy Spirit and the many parts working together as one Body, our work will not make an eternal impact.

Partnerships cannot be driven by one leader’s agenda. A partnership doesn’t work if one leader and their group is trying to possess ownership of all resources and ministry opportunities.

There is always a mutual sharing of ideas and practices.

In our line of work, it is essential for us to show and cultivate mutual respect with local leaders and families in the community. Therefore how we approach partnerships must reflect a similar mindset. The mindset and posture is always to listen first, be a servant always.

Marks of a Healthy Collaborative Partnership

Compassion that moves into action.

Generosity that reflects the abundance of God’s ability to provide.

Mutual exchange of resources, experiences, and platforms.

Kingdom mindset- all we do points to God and His eternal kingdom

JOURNEY WITH US

VISION TRIP

A Vision Trip is a great first step to experience the work that we do in the local community. These trips are designed for leaders to learn about future involvement with us.Through a few days on the field, you will see and experience the reach our ministry has along the U.S and Mexico border.

You can mobilize others to come and experience one of our service-learning trips in South Texas throughout the year. These immersive experiences provide firsthand insights into the challenges and gospel opportunities on the U.S. and Mexico border. By participating in these trips, participants will gain a deep understanding of our work and its faith-based foundations.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

IMMERSIVE LEARNING TRIPS

Our program is intentionally designed to help develop ministry readiness, leadership skills, cross-cultural agility, and spiritual depth. During your stay with us, you’ll learn directly from immigrant leaders and partner with ministries currently serving border communities. Your time in South Texas is designed to provide you with opportunities for hands-on ministry experience in a cross-cultural setting.

BEYOND THE

Take your experience from one of our trips and implement what you’ve learned back at home. Our National Directory will allow you to connect with local organizations that serve

ONGOING PARTNERSHIP

Once you’ve engaged with us through conversations, trips, or an event- we hope this is only the beginning of an ongoing partnership.Our work cannot continue without the partnership of churches, individuals, and other organizations. We are seeking partners who are ready to be generous with their time, talent, and treasure. Let’s continue to journey together.

CHURCH PARTNER VOICES

For our church partners around the country, our relationships have been such a blessing. Lynne told us: "There's been a mutual blessing that we have experienced that has compelled our faith, and then our faith has compelled their faith, and it's been this back and forth, mutually giving and receiving dynamic relationship." (Overlake Christian Church)

“If you really want to care and love the foreigner and sojourner, then come and see and learn about the border. It is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone a little bit to understand more about the humanitarian crisis. You might not leave an expert on all things, however, you will leave with a greater heart for others and a greater appreciation for God's work in our own lives and in the lives of others.” - Van. C, Missions Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church

"Border Perspective was born out of a ministry that has been there for 25 years or more—a family that has served (border communities) day in and day out," Jeff says. "When our teams go, it's not just about the work you do or what you learn. It's about the body of Christ working together." Creating a bridge between their communities and our ministry partners in South Texas was the way to encounter God on the move amid all the political noise.

LOCAL PARTNERS

At Border Perspective, we prioritize building strong relationships and partnerships with local communities, pastors, non-profit organizations, and churches. Our staff live and work in border communities year-round and have developed long-term relationships with trusted partners. These partnerships allow us to gain crucial insights into the areas where we serve and visit, and help us receive guidance on how to navigate any changes or potential risks. Local partnerships provide us with support and assistance in case of emergency situations, which helps ensure the safety and well-being of all our participants.

Pastor Hugo and Eunice founded Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive in the late 1990’s, and have served together in ministry for over 30 years. The church serves the community in a variety of waysteaching, prayer, evangelism, church planting, missionary work in South Texas and Mexico, leading family support groups, pastoral training, humanitarian relief, essentials distribution, wherever there is a need, the church is there to meet it.

Border Mission was founded for the purpose of bringing the word of God and specifically the gospel to those of the Texas and Mexico border. The ministry work focuses on providing food and clothing for those in need. That mission continues today, both in introducing people to the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping those in physical need. It is always a highlight for our teams to help sort food donations and also help distribute food alongside the Border Missions team.

Team Brownsville recruits volunteers to help families and individuals legally seeking asylum in the United States. Team Brownsville has offered a variety of programs in the last several years to assist asylum seekers. We are grateful for their partnership and how they allow our teams to help them with sorting donations and supplies in their warehouse, serving meals and distributing clothing, blankets and other essential items in their welcome center.

Restoring human dignity and caring for immigrants and refugees is the mission of the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center. This center cares for many of the people that are fleeing from Mexico and Central American countries due to organized crime, gang violence, and extreme poverty.

Abraham and Patty Barberi have been actively involved in missionary work in Matamoros, Mexico, and other border towns since July 2000. In 2009 they moved to Matamoros, Mexico, as full-time missionaries where they planted several churches and started Bible Institutes in Matamoros, El Salvador, and Ecuador (Central and South America).

Besides planting churches and training future Christian leaders through the bible institutes, they have developed several food pantries, soup kitchens, food and water distribution in low-income communities, and a shelter for asylum seekers in Matamoros, Mexico. Both lead “Comunidad Esencia Urbana,” a Hip Hop church that works with ex-cartel members and young men and women trapped in drugs and alcohol.

Over the last 38 years, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley has evolved to become the largest regional, non-religious, charity in South Texas.

We pride ourselves in the fact that 98% of our expenditures are directed towards Program Services, ensuring our donor’s contributions are helping feed as many as possible. The Food Bank RGV services Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties.

The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley is passionately committed to improving lives through food assistance, nutrition education, and access to community services.

IMPACT ON THE BORDER

$200,000+ raised and allocated towards border relief, local partners and community support.

70,000 individuals received food boxes from our strategic partner, Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive. Throughout the years, service-learning trip participants support IMCV’s food distributions, helping reach thousands of families in need.

1,389 service-learning trip participants have been mobilized since the beginning of Border Perspective . Participants include diverse group of people, young children and retired folks, immigrants from all backgrounds, American citizens, pastors and agnostics.

55,560 ministry hours served. Service-learning trip participants served these many hours with local organizations across South Texas. Our local partners include a diversity of faith-based organizations directly serving asylum seekers and immigrant families on both sides of the border.

12,000 + Welcome Kits distributed on both sides of the border by volunteers and partner organizations.