Frontera de Cristo

Douglas, Arizona/Agua Prieta, Mexico

Frontera de Cristo is one of seven bi-national border ministries of two churches the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which form part of the one body of Christ. The ministry was begun in 1984 by Rev. Gary and Beth Waller and by Rev. Luis and Ana Lugo. The Rev. Lugo would walk the streets of Agua Prieta with his guitar singing songs and inviting people attracted to his music to worship services held in houses until 1987. In 1987, the multipurpose facility built from scratch by members of the congregation and mission volunteer teams, was dedicated. The congregation in Agua Prieta is called El Lirio de los Valles (Lily of the Valley). On Sundays and on evenings throughout the week, the building is a center for worship, fellowship, Bible study and prayer groups, health and family ministry classes, and a medical clinic. The youth group of more than 25 is particularly active.

Today Frontera de Cristo's co-coordinators are Jesus (Chuey) Gallegos, Shannon Moses and Mark Adams. Dr. Gerarlo Penaloza is the part-time clinic physician. Elvia Duarte Viuda de Urbina is the full-time nurse and health educator. The clinic gives primary care for approximately 80 members of the community per month. The clinic also provides information about nutrition, primary health education (hygiene, water sanitation, etc.) and drug/alcohol prevention/intervention. There is also a clinic, located in Colonia Nuevo Progreso, on the outskirts of town which is open two mornings a week. About 30 percent of those visiting the health clinics cannot pay for treatment and only about 10 percent of health services are paid by patient fees. The remainder of the health budget must be raised by the ministry each year in order to meet a portion of the needs of the communities they serve.

The doctor and nurse also provide Christian literature for those who are interested and refer persons expressing need and interest to the pastoral staff for emotional and spiritual counseling.

The medical team has inherited a health promoters training course from which 18 persons from the community have graduated in the last two years. These graduated promoters are now actively involved with various health fairs and hosting health talks in the community. The next course will begin in January of 1999. The health ministry also provides CPR training in secondary, pre-college, and technological schools. In addition, the doctor and nurse carry out a uterine cancer campaign and teach women how to examine themselves to detect breast cancer. In May, the health promoters and volunteers distribute pamphlets door-to-door on the prevention of Dengue fever and dehydration.

Frontera is working in partnership with DIV (the family services agency of the Mexican government) to provide dental care for those of the community who could otherwise not afford it. The dentist from DIF comes once a week and utilizes dental facilities in the multipurpose building. A volunteer dentist from Tucson, AZ also gives a dental clinic once a month. Throughout the year, dentists with mission teams from throughout the United States also give dental clinics.

The Family Ministry of Frontera de Cristo ministers to the emotional and spiritual needs of families in Agua Prieta. This ministry seeks to provide tools that enable the families of Agua Prieta to know the love of God, develop self-esteem, and create a heart for service within the community. In 1998, the family ministry has hosted Marriage Enrichment workshops and self-esteem workshops. Family Ministry also gives seminars on "Education for Life" in schools and churches.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) supports the ongoing financial needs of the ministries of Frontera de Cristo through Extra Commitment Opportunities (Acct.# 863539). The Medical Benevolence Foundation also assists with the funding of the community health program.