All Saints' Border Ministries
Border Ministries is an outreach of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Corpus Christi, TX. Following Christ’s example, our faith tradition is rooted in His call to serve the hungry, thirsty stranger among us and to welcome and serve our neighbors at the margins. The efforts of Border Ministries are grounded in three of our congregation’s core values: Tradition, Action, and Inclusion.
We work with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and other partners to provide support to refugees and asylum-seekers in respite centers at or near the United States–Mexico border. This support includes food, clothing, and medical attention under the direction and coordination of our partner agencies.
Trip to Laredo | March 26th, 2022
“When a stranger sojourns in your land, you shall not do them wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
-Leviticus 19:33-34
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TRIP TO LAREDO ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2022
Three members of our Border Ministries’ team volunteered at La Frontera Respite Center on December 9. They brought belts and donated cinch sacks and backpacks. Upon the group’s arrival in Laredo, they purchased $200 worth of men and women’s underwear and socks with funds from Border Ministries’ generous donors.
The team made about 225 sandwiches for asylum seekers, helped serve lunch and worked in the “Ropa Room,” supporting migrants with obtaining a clean change of clothes.
While at the Center, the group learned that Title 42, the public health policy that allows the government to expel migrants because of Covid-19, will end on December 21. It is anticipated that 50,000 people will be crossing the southern border when this is lifted. Learn more about this complex, evolving situation here:
With Title 42 Set to End, Questions Loom About the Future of Migrants and Asylum
Stay tuned to learn about implications for the Laredo Respite Center and our Border Ministries’ Team.
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Why are these asylum-seekers here, and why is the ministry needed?
There are many reasons why people might legally seek asylum in the United States—physical safety, political persecution, lack of housing, or upheaval due to natural disaster, to name a few.
We believe it is not our role to evaluate or judge why the families have made the journey to our country; rather, our focus is on doing what we can to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and safety, all while honoring their inherent dignity as Children of God.
What do we do?
Throughout the year, Border Ministries team members travel to various locations in South Texas to work with other volunteers in refugee “respite centers” where asylum-seekers await processing.
On a typical day, Border Ministries volunteers assist with distribution of clothing, toiletries, and other personal supplies, as well as baby food and formula, diapers, toys and other items of interest to the many young children who are in the centers. We also assist asylum-seekers who are navigating transportation systems in order to reach their ultimate destinations.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…”
- Matthew 25:35
How can I engage with Border Ministries?
There are several ways you can engage with this vital ministry:
Learn. Learn about the needs of those who seek asylum in our country. Be aware of what scripture and tradition say about hospitality and aiding those who are hungry, thirsty, and afraid.
Pray. Prayers for the asylum seekers and those on the Border Ministries team are always needed and welcomed. You may also want to assist with making “prayer squares,” pocket-sized fabric keepsakes we provide to the respite center clients to remind them of God’s love and care for them.
Contribute. The Border Ministries team welcomes donations at regular intervals during the year. We collect diapers, baby formula, new socks, and small toys for children and other items listed below. Please see the All Saints website for upcoming collections. Monetary donations to purchase supplies are also welcomed.
Participate. The Border Ministries team travels to locations in South Texas where our assistance is needed. To participate, a background check and training in child safety may be required.
To learn more about the asylum-seeking process and how Episcopal Migration Ministries is engaged in this important work,
How can you contact us?
For more information on how you can engage with and support this ministry, contact us by email at borderministry@allsaints-cc.org.