Border and Immigration Ministry

Arizona Disciples congregations have long recognized and worked to address the humanitarian crisis that surrounds the US/Mexico border and immigration. In 2023 the Arizona Region began a new commitment by creating the Arizona Disciples Border and Immigration Ministry and engaging the Arizona Disciples Border Initiative (ADBI).

Partners

The Arizona Disciples Border Initiative (ADBI) brings together efforts of several Arizona Disciples congregations aimed at raising awareness and addressing social injustices happening in the U.S. border with Mexico. Our mission is to provide support to those who have been impacted by these injustices and to work toward systemic change through education, service, and advocacy.

ADBI is an umbrella program led by Arizona Disciples congregations designed to address a specific aspects of the border crisis in three parts.  Initially, this included Caminantes (a border immersion experience), Hospitality Centers, and a food business incubator (future addition). Currently, the border immersion experience is on hiatus. The initiative began in Tucson but will progressively incorporate other congregations in the Region interested in responding compassionately to the border’s humanitarian crisis.  The border is a liminal space, and we know that the current border crisis extends well beyond the physical border; with that in mind, ADBI will continue to expand and seek ways to accompany congregations with their own call to border crisis ministry. 

Featured Articles

The Space Where God Finds Us – Higher Education and Leadership Ministries

Walking the Borderlands: A Selection on Liminal Space in Southern Arizona – Anna Whittle

Asylum: Stories of Hope and Resilience

This podcast shares the sacred stories of migrants who have journeyed to the U.S. in recent years in search of asylum, alongside the faithful witness of humanitarian advocates, faith leaders, and volunteers who have accompanied them in solidarity. Rooted in a prophetic theological imagination, each episode invites us to see how God moves among the most vulnerable through acts of courage, resistance, accompaniment, and hope.

Listen below or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Caminantes is an immigrant-led border immersion is an experience that allows individuals and groups to visit the border region and, through a migrant’s lens, gain a firsthand understanding of the fundamental issues impacting border communities. Participants will learn about the historical root causes generating waves of forced migration from Latin America to the U.S. Also, the program is designed to inspire one’s theological imagination and move participants towards a Christian praxis for justice. Participants may be inspired to open a Hospitality Center of their own.

The experience uses a see-judge-act method of analysis to reflect on the realities of bordered communities and to put our faith values into transformative social action.

See

(Socio-Analytic Mediation)

We see what is happening at the border. What are the historical root causes that shaped the current context?

Judge

(Hermeneutic Mediation)

We judge our current social and spiritual context through the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Testament. Does our present reality fit God’s plan for the world?

Act

(Practical Mediation)

We create an action plan for your church community to act as Jesus would in our world.

Caminantes Border Immersion learning experiences are a joint effort of Comunidad Limen Christian Church and First Christian Church with the support of the Arizona Region and Week of Compassion.

Arizona Disciples, specifically First Christian Church in Tucson, have a long history of providing sanctuary for people seeking safety and refuge. The Arizona Disciples Border Initiative (ADBI) will continue this legacy and seek to expand this model of hospitality to other congregations.

Each Hospitality Center provides a safe and welcoming space for individuals and families seeking asylum or recently released from detention by providing basic needs such as food, shelter, and hygiene facilities. Local case workers also help migrants connect to opportunities and prepare for thriving, independent lives in the United States.

Hospitality Centers will differ in capacity, but currently the ADBI will host two asylum seeking families. Families are recommended by an immigration attorney through partnership with an organization in Mexico.