Frontera de Cristo, US/Mexico Border Ministry Partners
Frontera de Cristo is one of four PC(USA) Presbyterian Border Region Outreach sites situated along the 2,000-mile U.S./Mexico border. Located in the sister cities of Agua Prieta, Mexico and Douglas, Arizona, Frontera de Cristo is a binational ministry that engages with all types of people from both sides of the border. Beginning in 2017, Village Church members have participated in immersion trips through Frontera de Cristo. Contact Lora Garrison for details on plans for future trips.
Frontera de Cristo engages in several areas of ministry such as mission education, family and health ministry, and church and community development, all designed to aid migrants and their families at the border.
Frontera de Cristo engages in several areas of ministry such as mission education, family and health ministry, and church and community development, all designed to aid migrants and their families at the border.
Online Supply DriveIn 2022, Frontera de Cristo served 42,000 people who were expelled from the U.S. or seeking asylum in the U.S. In comparison, the average number of people served annually in the last 20 years was 5,000.
It’s impossible to imagine the current need at the border, but sending supplies through Amazon is one way you can help. Your order will be shipped directly to Douglas, Arizona and taken across the border to the Migrant Resource Center in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Thank you!
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“When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
- Leviticus 19:33-34
About immigration issues
Our Scriptures are very clear about our call to welcome the stranger among us. In Matthew, Jesus tells a parable to his followers emphasizing specific classes of people who should serve as if Christ himself. Immigrants are one of those groups. In fact, the call to care for immigrants is reiterated thirty-seven times throughout the Bible. The Presbyterian Church (USA) advocates for the “establishment by law of a comprehensive legalization program for undocumented persons already living and working in the United States.” PCUSA also calls for “reform of current immigration policies and procedures to ensure a more timely and humane process, with special attend to family reunification and to those persons who have been waiting for their immigrant visas and for naturalization” (Resolution calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program, 2004).
The Office of Public Witness (OPW) with the Presbyterian Mission Agency is actively engaging in social movements led by undocumented leaders and affected people to win just immigration policy. In addition, part of the Presbyterian Disaster Agency mandate is to provide relief to refugees and asylum seekers.
The Office of Public Witness (OPW) with the Presbyterian Mission Agency is actively engaging in social movements led by undocumented leaders and affected people to win just immigration policy. In addition, part of the Presbyterian Disaster Agency mandate is to provide relief to refugees and asylum seekers.
At Village Presbyterian Church, you have a number of opportunities to engage in the conversation on immigration reform.
- Invite: Become part of the conversation and ask others to join you as we seek justice for our vulnerable neighbors. A Christian perspective on immigration challenges us above all to love immigrants and to seek to be reconciled with them in a new and transformed community.
- Learn: To understand more about the reality of immigration detention, check out the short documentary film Locked in a Box: Immigration Detention.
- Advocate: Check out PCUSA’s Office of the General Assembly’s extensive information on immigration issues and how to be an effective advocate.
- Donate: You can contribute to Village Presbyterian Church’s fund to help those who are in immigration detention centers and their families find relief through bond scholarships, calls from detention centers, transportation costs as well as general support that may be needed by families. You can donate online or by check to “Village Presbyterian Church” and note the “Detained Immigrant Fund” on your check.
