Join our movement, pray, give, go.

Hope at the Border

SERVING CHURCHESAT THE US-MEXICOBORDER

We partner with Christian leaders at the border in their unique context to strengthen their efforts to serve the vulnerable in their community.

"Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor."
Zechariah 7:9–10
The reality

No single ministry can do this alone

We partner with Christian leaders at the border in their unique context to strengthen their efforts to serve the vulnerable in their community.

429,000

Unsaved, dechurched, and unchurched people in the Rio Grande Valley

30,000

Kids in Texas foster care and 89,000 unaccompanied children

8 in 10

RGV students qualify for free or reduced school lunches

Where it began

From one question to a Coalition

"It was December 2015 when the campground connected to our office housed over 900 unaccompanied minors. I watched them play soccer, joyful that they were safe, but I started to wonder why they had to come eight hours from the border to Dallas for care. Then the question came: how can the church of the border be equipped to care for kids like this?"

"Fast-forward to November 2024, my first trip to the border in McAllen, Texas. What I saw broke my spirit: colonias, exploitation, sex trafficking on a public street, a school with a human trafficking hotline posted out front. That's when God told me, we need a coalition of Christian leaders to link arms together and empower the churches at the border to care for the vulnerable. That's how Hope at the Border began."

— Eric Porter, Founder

Your border

THE REALITY AT THE BORDER

Your U.S.–Mexico border faces unique challenges with limited resources. But through the collaboration of ministries, we can build sustainable Biblical solutions that bring lasting change to communities. Below are the six areas of need, and how you can join us.

Scroll to explore →1 of 6
01

Cultivating Spiritual Health

There are 429,000 unsaved, dechurched, and unchurched people in the Rio Grande Valley who need the hope of Jesus. Church leaders are in desperate need of ministry education, training, and coaching to meet that need.

429,000
People without a church home in the RGV
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for the spiritual health of those at the border.
2
Level 2: Partner
Lead or partner with events that help people know Jesus and make Jesus known.
3
Level 3: Train
Lead or facilitate evangelism and discipleship training.
02

Caring for Vulnerable Children

Over 100,000 children, including unaccompanied minors and kids in foster care, need church-centered solutions and stable, loving care. The need is overwhelming and the systems are stretched thin.

~30,000
Children currently in Texas foster care
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for more leaders to step up and be trained to care for the vulnerable. Pray for the 89,000 unaccompanied minors and 30,000 children in foster care.
2
Level 2: Lead
Lead or partner with events that bring awareness to churches.
3
Level 3: Partner
Partner with us in recruiting and training churches to care for vulnerable children.
03

Ending Human Trafficking

The Rio Grande Valley sits on one of the busiest human smuggling and trafficking corridors in North America, making it one of the highest-risk regions in Texas for trafficking and exploitation.

79,000
Minors are victims of sex trafficking in Texas
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for vulnerable people targeted by trafficking and for those working to stop it.
2
Level 2: Relief
Join us for a rescue mission to find missing and exploited children.
3
Level 3: Residential
Pray with us to find residential solutions for victims to find hope and healing.
04

Developing Leaders

There is a shortage of leaders prepared for this work, even as God is calling people willing to grow. Pastors and church leaders at the border need training, credentialing, and ongoing support to lead sustainably.

27%
Workforce shortage in critical helping professions
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for more leaders to step up and be trained to care for the vulnerable.
2
Level 2: Recruit
Lead or partner with events that recruit and train new leaders.
3
Level 3: Develop
Lead or facilitate ongoing leadership training, church growth, sustainable compassion ministry, pastoral education, and credentialing.
05

Finding Economic Solutions

New jobs at the border demand a highly educated, prepared workforce, limiting opportunities for families living in poverty. The gap between income and the cost of living keeps widening, leaving families food insecure, housing insecure, and stretched thin.

35.6%
Of residents live in poverty
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for families navigating poverty and economic hardship at the border.
2
Level 2: Relief
Lead or partner with events that bring immediate relief, food, shelter, and crisis support.
3
Level 3: Sustain
Lead or facilitate sustainable solutions, financial literacy, job training, and long-term development.
06

Strengthening Mental Health

Emotional and mental health struggles, isolation, and broken relational patterns compound the daily instability families already face. Border communities need places to heal, connect, and build resilience.

1 of 3,322
Residents per mental health provider
How you can join
1
Level 1: Pray
Pray for emotional healing and resilience in border communities.
2
Level 2: Partner
Levels of involvement coming soon.
3
Level 3: Train
Levels of involvement coming soon.
We value

A COALITION BUILT ON FAITH, PARTNERSHIP, AND ACTION

Prayer

Prayer is the starting point.

The Church

The church is the solution to care for the vulnerable.

Sustainability

The goal is building a system of sustainability, not just relief.

Context

We listen and learn before we begin work.

Unity

We strive for collaboration and cooperation, not competition.

Hope at the Border community

Linking arms at the border

Lead team

Meet the People Behind the Coalition

Rev. Eric Porter
BACKYARD ORPHANS

Rev. Eric Porter

Founder of Hope at the Border, leading the coalition equipping the church at the U.S.–Mexico border.

Learn More
Dr. Lisa Cummins
URBAN STRATEGIES

Dr. Lisa Cummins

Equipping urban churches with strategies for sustainable, community-rooted compassion.

Learn More
Rev. Michael Bartel
F.R.E.E. INTERNATIONAL

Rev. Michael Bartel

Mobilizing the church to fight human trafficking through training and awareness.

Learn More
Dr. Rennae de Fritas
NELSON UNIVERSITY

Dr. Rennae de Fritas

Shaping the next generation of Christian leaders through higher education.

Learn More
Rev. Ron Showers
CONVOY OF HOPE

Rev. Ron Showers

Delivering compassion and relief to communities in crisis around the world.

Learn More
Pastor Daniel Sandoval III
PLURAL CHURCH

Pastor Daniel Sandoval III

Pastoring and planting bilingual churches that disciple border families.

Learn More
Pastor Rick Reyes
TEXAS GULF HISPANIC DISTRICT

Pastor Rick Reyes

Leading the Texas Gulf Hispanic District in church planting and pastoral care.

Learn More
Henry Garzon
ONE HOPE

Henry Garzon

Bringing God's Word of Hope to children and families across the globe.

Learn More
Jennifer Moya
BORDER PERSPECTIVE

Jennifer Moya

Telling the on-the-ground story of life and ministry at the U.S.–Mexico border.

Learn More
Garrett Widner
BACKYARD ORPHANS

Garrett Widner

Coming alongside families and churches caring for vulnerable kids at the border.

Learn More
What's next

Upcoming Events

Join us in person to learn, partner, and serve alongside the churches at the border.

Outreach Pastor Training
LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Outreach Pastor Training

Equipping pastors and ministry leaders with practical outreach training. Details and registration coming soon.

JUN 23, 2026
Training Details →
Vision Trip
VISION TRIP

Vision Trip

A listening and learning trip to gain contextual understanding of the needs at your border. See the need and ask God how He wants you to respond, in praying, giving, or going.

AUG 6–7, 2026
Register →
Seek & Save
OUTREACH WEEK

Seek & Save

Partner with the churches at the Texas-Mexico border for a week-long evangelism and outreach event.

OCT 13–17, 2026
Outreach Details →
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”

1 John 3:17

The Call

LINK ARMS WITH US

Join a coalition of Christian leaders strengthening the church at the border to care for the vulnerable.

Community members gathered together in prayer and conversation
Get in touch

LET'S LINK ARMS

Whether you want to partner, pray, give, or go, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a message and someone from our team will follow up.