Border Mission Overview

Neighborhood Mission at US Southwest Boarder - A Mission at the Heart of the U.S.–Mexico Border

Just a few miles from the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Mar Thoma Church in McAllen, Texas, lies a network of “colonias”—unincorporated settlements near the U.S.–Mexico border. These communities are home to thousands of predominantly Latino families who live with severe socio-economic challenges, such as starvation, poor housing, nutrition/health issues, and empowerment/emotional health issues. While geographically inside the United States, many colonia residents face poverty levels and living conditions similar to mission fields overseas. This reality presents the Mar Thoma Mission Board with a unique opportunity for neighborhood mission work—right within the U.S. border.

Mission Partnership: Texas A&M University Colonias Programs and Puentes de Cristo

In 2024, the Mar Thoma Mission Board formed a strategic collaborative partnership with Texas A&M Colonias Programs focused to provide literacy and job training, health education, economic and community development for colonias residents, and Puentes de Cristo, a Presbyterian mission organization with more than four decades of work in Hidalgo County colonias.

This partnership strengthens the Diocese’s capacity to serve through Access to local networks and established health programs, Support for Spanish-language spiritual and cultural engagement, Coordination with Texas A&M University and Puentes de Cristo for health and education initiatives and Joint service opportunities and volunteer programs for colonia families.

The conditions at the colonias create a fertile field for holistic mission work—addressing both physical and spiritual needs of the community. With these partnerships, we can multiply impact by aligning resources, volunteers, and faith communities.

Our Mission Goals

The Neighborhood Mission at Southwest border is focused on holistic community transformation addressing physical needs while sharing Christ’s love. Core goals include Food & Nutrition, Housing Improvements, Education & Empowerment, Medical Outreach, and Spiritual Enrichment.

Mission Projects :

Since the initiation of the Southwest border neighborhood projects in January 2025, we were able to complete several mission projects. These projects are organized and funded mostly by youth mission organizations, regional mission organizations, individual parishes and interested individuals/ groups from various regions of the Diocese of north America.

Martin Luther King Light to Life America project.

This “Light to life US” pilot project was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa, in presence of the Diocesan Council, in January 2025, with the purpose of initiating the core Light to Life programs in colonias neighborhoods. Under This program we are currently providing nutritious food (groceries) and educational supplies for 45 children of the Las Torojes colonias in Donna, TX

Neighborhood Food security for las Torojes Colonia

The Southwest border mission is regularly supporting 22 families -many of them are single parent families - with monthly basic grocery supplies to augment their food / nutrition condition, which often fall into starvation .

Esthers’ House

Esther, a mother of four and grandmother of five, lives with her family in a rundown RV next to a small blue shed in Donna, TX. Years ago, her family purchased a plot of land there, gradually paying it off despite being exploited by an exorbitantly high 38% interest
rate.

Their struggles don’t end there. Earlier this year, Esther’s daughter, who was also the family’s primary breadwinner, tragically took her own life, leaving behind two children. This devastating loss plunged the family further into financial and emotional turmoil. In response, Esther’s eldest son, Gustavo, dropped out of high school to support his family,
taking on construction work for meager wages to keep what was left of their roof over
their heads. The shed and RV were inadequate, lacking insulation, plumbing, and running water. With support and the dedication of Southwest RAC and Dallas area mar Thoma mission efforts, construction began in February 2025. Over several weeks, that space was transformed
into a livable home. By the second week of March, Esther and her family had a safe place to live

Annual Community health/school opening Fair at Alamo, TX

With the dedication support of Northeast area Youth group and passionate mission families, the first annual Community Health Fair was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM in Mar Thoma Church, located at 1525 N. Alamo Rd., Alamo, TX 78516. Attendees received free health screenings and information, including Glucose Testing, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Nutrition services. The event also featured grocery and Back to School Supplies distribution, along with door prizes. The event was organized with numerous partners, including the Hidalgo County Health & Human
Services Department, Unidos Contra La Diabetes, Lions International, Women
Together/Mujeres Unidas, University of Texas Medical School, and Texas A&M University,
among many others

Community Health Fair at La Feria, TX

The volunteers from St. Thomas MTC, Houston supported this Neighborhood mission Community Health Fair , organized as joint effort with Texas A&M
University (through its Healthy South Texas and Colonias Program)and Puentes de Cristo, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Templo Getsemani in La
Feria Gardens, located at 11418 5th St., La Feria, TX 78559. The event offered Free Health Screenings and Information , including Fasting Glucose
testing, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Nutrition education. Other Key partners for the fair include Lions International, UTHealth Rio Grande Valley, NAMI Texas, Behavioral Health Solutions, Connection RGV. The event also featured grocery bags for attending families Door Prizes.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Southwest border mission offers year-round, hands-on service for Mar Thoma parishes and organizations across the Diocese. Opportunities include Participating in food drives and distribution, organizing children’s tutoring and enrichment activities, leading medical, dental, or vision outreach with professional volunteers, supporting housing improvement projects and helping families navigate government or NGO support systems.

Why This Mission Matters

This is not just a short-term relief effort. It’s a long-term neighborhood mission strategy designed to build trust, foster community transformation, and share God’s love. This mission offers a practical mission platform for youth, families, and professionals to serve hands-on mission work year round in USA at a safe environment. This mission offers a unique opportunity to network with leading Education institutions like Texas A&M university and University of Texas for our college bound Children. This mission also strengthens our witness at the Southwest border, complementing the Mexico Mission across the river.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

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