Bi-national ministries reflect on shared needs, restoring relationships

January 26, 2018

Mission co-worker, Mark Adams walks away from the migrant cross on the Mexico side of the U.S. border fence/wall. (Photo by Dan Abbott)

Presbyterians met in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, in November to consider the future of Presbyterian Border Region Outreach (PBRO). The relationship between the Mexico and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denominations ended, major financial support had been dwindling for years, and communications between the six border ministry sites had become slack. On the surface, it was remarkable that so many still active in the border ministry were determined to travel as much as a thousand miles to meet on behalf of an organization that appeared to be in its final days.

What happens in the border region affects millions of lives every day. For more than three decades, Mexican and North American Presbyterians have confronted the challenges of bi-national ministry, sharing love, demonstrating compassion, working for justice and giving hope. PBRO has been a relevant presence faithfully living the gospel while striving to reduce poverty and violence and building community in the border region.

The 18 participants represented border ministry sites and regional presbyteries from Mexico and the U.S. Some arrived with the benefit of many years’ experience, while others, new to border region work, brought fresh ideas and new energy. Whether working in small groups or plenary sessions, the challenges of language and cultural differences melted away in the environment of mutuality.

Since 1984, the direct result of the work is reflected in the 40 new churches planted across northern Mexico and the countless connections facilitated between people of both countries to walk together in the face of the often-horrific challenges of migration, poverty, violence and substance abuse.

Looking ahead, the group set a simple course designed to bridge the past and the future. Recognizing the importance of working together, the participants committed to maintaining unity, building strong channels of communication, active listening and to meeting regularly to share worries, successes and hopes. A new board was elected to manage the necessary business of the organization. Despite the current state of relations between the two denominations, the administrative challenges and the loss of funding, faith in the importance and the wonder of the work on the border is alive and well.

When business was completed, the group met one final time under the migrant cross that hangs on the Mexico side of the U.S.’s border fence, joined hands and shared concluding thoughts of unity, commitment, compassion, trepidation and faith.

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Note: In 1980, following eight years of suspended relations, the Presbyterian leadership of Mexico and the PC(USA) affirmed a bi-national covenant for a new mission relationship between the denominations. An early focus on the expanding needs along the shared border quickly grew into the Presbyterian Border Ministry (PBM), which included six bi-national ministry sites along the 2,000-mile border. In 2011, a new schism between the Mexico and PC(USA) denominations forced the PBM into uncertainty. By 2014, the leadership and the ministry-site workers felt the organization was floundering. Still, many remained faithful to the vision and to continuing the work. With the support of the PC(USA) World Mission, and with a new name, Presbyterian Border Region Outreach, the group spent the next three years discerning a new direction for mission implementation.

Catherine L. May, President of Presbyterian Border Region Outreach

Today’s Focus:  Presbyterian Border Region Outreach (PBRO)

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Takiyah Cuyler, OGA
Dana Dages, PMA

Let us pray:

God of life, lead us to justice and peace. As we seek to be agents of reconciliation in our world, may we give witness to the wholeness that is ours in Jesus Christ. We pray not for our own sakes but for the sake of the world you so dearly love. Amen.

Daily Readings

Morning Psalms 116; 146
First Reading 2 Chronicles 24:17-22
Second Reading Acts 6:1-7
Gospel Reading Acts 7:59-8:8
Evening Psalms 119:1-24; 27