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Cultivating Relationships
and Understanding
Across Borders
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Ecumenical delegation from Rock Hill, SC, participating in a Pilgrimage of Remembrance for Ulises Molina Perez
PRESENTE!
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Dear friend,
Choose welcome!
When we have new neighbors in our communities who may speak different languages or worship differently than we do, choose to see the image of God in them and to love them as Jesus has commanded!
When we have neighbors who have lived, worked, worshipped, played, and raised families in our midst for years, and are now living in heightened fear that they will be deported to a country that they have not known for decades, choose to see the image of God in them and to love them as Jesus has commanded us!
When family or friends use stereotypes to dehumanize our immigrant neighbors, choose welcome and ask them to see the image of God in them and to love them as Jesus commanded and to resist using dehumanizing language!
When we have governments trying to instill fear of the immigrant in us, choose welcome, and speak truth to power, and let them know that the Statue of Liberty represents gospel values much more than a border wall!
When it seems as if bad news is all around us, choose to welcome the challenge to find ways to live out the Good News of God's love, peace, and justice!
Jocabed Gallegos and Mark Adams
Coordinators
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"Thank You For Being My Church":
40 Years of Choosing Welcome
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MANY IN THE CONGREGATION HAD TEARS IN THEIR EYES as the middle school youth finished reciting a poem with these words written by Javier, a youth who the church had supported to reunite with his mother. Javier wrote the poem "Amor Eterno" ("Eternal Love") for the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Iglesia Presbiteriana El Lirio de los Valles (Lily of the Valley Presbyterian Church), one of FDC's closest partners.
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One of Frontera's first goals as a ministry 41 years ago was to form a self-governing and self-financing church. The church which was begun in the apartment of Amelia del Pozo and her son Roberto together with FDC Mission Co-workers Manuel Lugo and Gary and Beth Waller has been self-sufficient and self-financing for years and has a vital ministry of hospitality, service, and education in the community.
Pastor René Espinoza, president of the Agua Prieta Ministerial Association and of Frontera de Cristo, mentioned in his sermon on Sunday that he has always been attracted to the church because of its commitment to service in the community. Perhaps the most poignant words, however, came in the poem of Javier that exemplified the welcome that the church has given not only to estranged families, but to many persons in vulnerable situations over the years.
Join us in giving thanks to God for the 40 years of Lirio de los Valles choosing to welcome children separated from their families, people in transit far from home, men and women struggling with addictions, children and adults with disabilities, men, women and youth from churches, seminaries, universities and high schools from the United States seeking to grow in their faith and understanding of borders and many others throughout their first 40 years of ministry.
See more images of LOV's 40th Anniversary Celebration
| | Mission Co-workers Serving WIth FDC | | Mark Adams & Miriam Maldonado Escobar | | |
A way is being made for Miriam Maldonado and Mark Adams to continue to serve with Frontera de Cristo in 2026!
PRESBYTERY DE CRISTO AND THE PRESBYTERY OF GRAND CANYON are entering into a covenantal relationship with Frontera de Cristo to call Mark and Miriam as Mission Co-Workers to serve with Frontera de Cristo in 2026.
Mark and Miriam have been a part of the FDC team that has helped lead to the substantial growth and impact of the Frontera de Cristo ministry on the US-Mexico border. Due to recent changes in mission co-worker funding worldwide by the Presbyterian Church (USA), churches and individuals now have an opportunity to provide for the continued growth of this vital ministry.
| | Beginning in 2026, FDC's budget will increase substantially not only because of the financial responsibility of the two mission co-worker positions but also because of the exciting expansion in the Children's Enrichment Ministry and continued growth of the Love Mercy, Do Justice ministry. Donate today so that FDC will be well positioned to finish this year strong, and be able to expand its impact in 2026. | | |
Choosing Welcome or Crushing Dreams
by Mark Adams, Coordinator, Frontera de Cristo
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OUR BORDER AND IMMIGRATION POLICIES ARE NOT GUIDED BY THE VALUES of welcoming the foreigner/stranger/alien—a value rooted in the Scriptures and embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Since 1994, we as a nation have increasingly made entering the US more dangerous and deadly and we have made fear, disdain, dehumanization, and demonization the guiding lights of our border and immigration policy.
For more than 30 years, our border and immigration policy has been not guided by the values represented in the image of the Statue of Liberty nor in the words of Emma Lazarus’ poem engraved thereon, but rather by an increasing fear of what Pat Buchanan wrongly described during his 1992 Presidential primary campaign in racially charged and offensive language as a “brown wave” invading our nation.
Click here to read more and to take action.
| | The electronic sign reads "Welcome to the United States." The view tells a different story. | | |
Three Immersion Opportunities
Save the Dates!
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October 31-November 8, 2025:
Border-to-Border Delegation: Coffee, Migration, & Faith
| | | | THIS YEAR'S BORDER-TO-BORDER DELEGATION "COFFEE, MIGRATION & FAITH" will be held October 31 through November 8. Travel to the Guatemala border and learn about the Café Justo cooperative. Dates include an introductory visit with all of Frontera de Cristo's ministries. | | Order Your Café Justo Photo Book | | THE CAFÉ JUSTO PHOTO BOOK is still available! Order yours now and learn about the founding families who brought the dream to fruition, and the process of growing coffee from seed to cup. It will give you a new appreciation for your morning cup of coffee! | | | | | Read about the benefits of Café Justo in the community and the unique ways some of their customers sell and serve the coffee. Meet all the coffee farming families. Get a glimpse of the activities that make the Café Justo y Más coffee shop a place for creativity, comfort, and camaraderie in Agua Prieta. And reminisce over photos of the fabulous 20th anniversary celebration. | | The photo book is just $20. Or you can buy a box of 12 for $200. Shipping is included. Just scan the QR code above or click here to order online. Or download this order form to pay by check. | | Love Mercy, Do Justice, Order Coffee | | | | FRONTERA DE CRISTO AND CAFÉ JUSTO CREATED the "Love Mercy, Do Justice" (Amar Misericordia, Hacer Justicia) initiative to provide coffee for migrant shelters across the southern border. Thousands of women and men each week are greeted with a cup of coffee, a meal, and vital medical attention when they are repatriated into Mexico. You can help support this effort with a donation to Love Mercy, Do Justice. | | | | In the mean time, why not order some coffee for yourself today? You will enjoy delicious 100% organic coffee cultivated, freshly roasted, and shipped by the Café Justo cooperative. Online orders placed by Tuesdays at 8:00am Mountain Standard Time will be shipped the same week. Scan the QR code to order online or download this form to order by mail | | |
"40 Years of Building Bridges and Tables of Love"
New 2024 video from the Presbyterian Mission Agency
| | to Support the Ministries of Frontera de Cristo | | | | |
