Explore God’s love for people and heart for justice
Our service learning trips are immersive, educational and will intentionally place you into the lives of immigrant leaders serving families on the U.S. & Mexico border. There will be learning opportunities to help you understand the complexity of immigration on the border and service opportunities to help support local immigrant ministries. From volunteering at a local immigrant shelter to serving alongside immigrant pastors and their congregations, these opportunities will be eye-opening and will give you a first-hand look at ministry alongside immigrants communities.
What does it look like to travel along the border?
We'll travel along the South Texas border and make certain stops along the way and highlight important places, facts, historical landmarks etc.
This part of your trip will primarily give your group a visual understanding of our southern border, the hardships of the terrain and put in context the region that we often only hear about.
OUR SERVICE LEARNING MODEL
LISTEN & LEARN
Collaborate and be challenged by local immigrant leaders. You will learn the importance of scripture in our ministry approach and the cultural milieu in which border communities interact on a day to day basis.
SERVE
Serve the local immigrant church and organizations in long-term efforts that are helping empower immigrant families on the South Texas border.
CONTEXTUALIZE
We help you step into another culture. We help you break cross-cultural barriers, hear important stories and challenge you to reflect on how God wants you to use this experience.
AFTER YOUR TRIP
The great commission isn’t just about “going.” It’s about how we live once we return home. It’s about our everyday actions and decisions to showcase our faith. We’ll have a conversation about modeling this once you get home.
SERVICE-LEARNING TRIPS STARTING AT
$499 per person
Dormitory style housing available for $575
Pricing includes lodging, program staff, food, service project materials, and educational programming.
Transportation to, from, and while in South Texas is NOT covered. You will need to provide your own transportation throughout the week of your trip.
Begin your journey.
Upcoming Trips
* Sunday – Friday Trips
All trips are filled on a "first-come, first-serve" basis.
| DATES | COMMUNITY | PRICE / PERSON | AVAILABLE SPOTS | REGISTRATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINTER 24 DATES | ||||
| January 14 - January 19 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| January 21 - January 26 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| January 28 - February 2 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| February 4 - February 9 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| February 11 - February 16 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| February 15 - February 19 | South Texas | $499.00 | 34 | Register Now |
| February 18 - February 23 | South Texas | $499.00 | 0 | Register Now |
| February 25 - March 1 | South Texas | $499.00 | 50 | Register Now |
| SPRING 24 DATES | ||||
| March 3 - March 8 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| March 10 - March 15 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| March 17 - March 22 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| March 24 - March 29 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| March 31 - April 5 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| April 7 - April 12 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| April 14 - April 19 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| April 21 - April 26 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| April 28 - May 3 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| SUMMER 24 DATES | ||||
| June 2 - June 7 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| June 9 - June 14 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| June 16 - June 21 | South Texas | $499.00 | CLOSED | Register Now |
| June 23 - June 28 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| June 30 - July 5 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| July 7 - July 12 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| July 14 - July 19 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| July 21 - July 26 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| July 28 - August 2 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| FALL 24 DATES | ||||
| September 8 - September 13 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| September 15 - September 20 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| September 22 - September 27 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| September 29 - October 4 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| October 6 - October 11 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| October 13 - October 18 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| October 20 - October 25 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| October 27 - November 1 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| November 3 - November 8 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| November 10 - November 15 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
| November 17 - November 22 | South Texas | $499.00 | 60 | Register Now |
AGE GROUPS ALLOWED
High School Students
College Age
Families
Adults
Community Partners
Pastor Hugo and Eunice Moya lead Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive, a house church founded by immigrants for immigrants in South Texas. Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive is located minutes away from the Reynosa and McAllen border crossing, the U.S. border busiest entry points. For over two decades they have persisted in the slow and unrecognized work of church building, advocacy, and hospitality. As the number of immigrants grows on the border, the Moya’s continue their work of ministering to immigrants—on the front lines.
WHERE YOU Will Be SERVING
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
*Please note that this schedule is subject to change
SUNDAY
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship & Weekly Orientation
8:30 pm – Church Time, Small groups, Free Time
11:00 pm – Lights Out
MONDAY - THURSDAY
7:00 am – Wake Up
7:30 am – Eat Breakfast
8:00 am – Morning Devotional
8:15 am – Depart for service opportunity
12:00 pm – Lunch & Devotion
1:00 pm – Resume serving
3:30 pm – Clean Up/Return
4:00 pm – Free time/Showers/Leader Meeting
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Worship
8:30 – Church Time/Small Groups/Free Time
11:00 pm – Lights Out
FRIDAY
8:00 am – Wake Up
8:15 am – Eat Breakfast
9:00 am – Morning Devotion
9:15 am – Depart for Free Day Activity
Accommodations
Your trip is hosted by Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive. You will worship, eat meals, sleep, shower, and be fully immersed in the community! Guys and girls will be separated into different rooms for sleeping arrangements. We have various lodging options available, contact us for your accommodation options.
TRANSPORTATION
This site is van accessible. Some groups choose to drive or fly and then rent vehicles for the week. The nearest airport is Mcallen International Airport in Mcallen, Texas, and is a 20-minute drive from where we stay. For your convenience, you can also fly into Valley International Airport (HRL) or Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO). If it's not possible to fly into these airports, contact us for other travel options.
NEED HELP RECRUITING FOR A SERVICE-LEARNING TRIP?
Here’s a promo kit to help recruit participants for your upcoming trip!
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE BORDER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
+ WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER FOR MY TRIP?
Registration is open year-round. To get your preferred dates, we recommended you secure your spots early in the year since registration is on a first come, first served basis.
+ WHAT IS THE MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER GROUP?
For our group trips you must have a minimum of 15 team members to be eligible for a group. If you have less than 15 participants please consider our trips for individuals. The maximum number of people will depend on the capacity and availability of the dates you selected.
+ WHAT IS THE ADULT TO STUDENT RATIO FOR A TRIP?
We ask for your team to consist of 1 adult (21+) for every 6 students.
+ ARE BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED?
Yes. Each group is responsible for conducting background checks on all participants ages 18 or older.
+ WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
- $150 deposit & Initial Headcount is due 8 weeks after your online registration
- Final Payment and all paperwork is due 30 days before your trip
The $150 per participant deposit secures the dates for your trip and covers preparation costs our team will be working on prior to your arrival. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. The last day to cancel participants is two months prior to your trip departure. If you need to make cancellations after two months, your group is still responsible for paying the full fee for all participant registrations reserved. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact our office and we would be happy to discuss in more detail.
+ ARE BORDER MISSION TRIPS SAFE?
Yes. Your safety is always a top priority. Thankfully, because of our two and a half decade ministry and involvement on the border, we have many close relationships with partner churches and organizations. These communities are familiar with mission teams and we’ve worked hard to humbly earn their trust and respect. Because of these close friendships we are the first to know if something out of the ordinary comes up or is unsafe.
The trip lodging facility will always be locked to ensure safety. During the day, your team will be serving in places where Border Perspective teams have already visited and people will know who you are. Furthermore, our local team selects these service opportunities and projects, so we can ensure they are safe places for you to serve. Our network of community relationships allow Border Perspective to engage with the community in a way that is trusted and safe.
On the first night of the trip, our staff will train and equip your team to understand safety on the service opportunities and work sites.
We would be happy to talk in more detail about safety on this trip. Please feel free to contact our office for further conversation regarding your trip safety.
+ IS BORDER PERSPECTIVE AFFILIATED WITH A DENOMINATION?
Border Perspective is a division of Real Resources Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota.
+ HOW ARE THE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES & WORK PROJECTS SELECTED?
Border Perspective works alongside Pastors, non-profit organizations, and the local church in order to line up service opportunities and work projects. The Moyas live and serve border communities year round and are well connected. Border Perspective collaborates with local Pastors to plan where you will be serving and working in advance.
+ WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
During your service learning trip it is important that you make every effort to dress respectfully, modestly, and appropriately. You will be working hard serving in the community so it is best to wear old, comfortable, and modest clothes. Please understand there are different cultural norms in the places that you are visiting for the week. While certain clothing may be acceptable back home, it might not be appropriate for your mission trip. Please review the dress code below and pack accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 612-718-5021.
Shirts: All trip participants should wear either a short-sleeve or long-sleeve t-shirt on the work site. You may wear tank tops or sleeveless shirts in the evening during free time, dinner, and worship. Tank tops must be modest. Please note, no spaghetti strap tank tops or ripped/torn cut-off shirts.
Pants/Shorts: All trip participants should wear modest pants or shorts at all times on the trip. Please adhere to the following rules: Please be mindful of the length of your shorts. Follow the “fingertip length” rule to determine if your shorts are appropriate length. To do this, stand with your arms straight at your side and place your palm against the side of your legs. The length of your shorts should be at your fingertips or longer. Spandex pants/shorts are NOT allowed on your trip at anytime. This includes yoga pants or spandex athletic shorts.
Bathing Suits: Ladies must wear a one-piece swim suit or wear a t-shirt over a two-piece swim suit. Males must wear swim trunks that are long enough for the “fingertip length” rule mentioned above.
Please bring one nicer outfit for the weekly church service. It is recommended that ladies wear a skirt or summer dress. Men can wear khaki short or long pants with a nice t-shirt/shirt.
Click here to view our Packing list & Clothes to Pack recommendation!
+ WHAT IS THE TRIP COST?
The trip cost is $499 per person. The price is the same for students and adults. The cost covers all meals, service & learning opportunities, materials and lodging. The only cost not included is your transportation. You will need to provide your own transportation to South Texas and a vehicle for every day of the trip.
+ WHEN IS ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE?
Your trip begins on Sunday evening. Please plan to arrive between 3:00-5:00 pm. Our local team will welcome you with dinner. The trip concludes Friday morning after breakfast and clean up. Please plan to depart the site by 9:00 am. We are happy to accommodate your travel plans so please contact our office if you need special arrival or departure plans.
+ WHAT SHOULD WE BRING ON THE TRIP?
Each trip participant should be sure to pack the following items:
- Water Bottle
- Sunglasses and/or Hat
- Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
- Personal Snacks (i.e. granola bars, trail mix)
- Toiletries (i.e. soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)
- Work Shoes: an old pair of tennis shoes will work well
- Work Clothes: old t-shirts, athletic shorts, cargo shorts, or jeans all work well. Please be sure to review the dress code in advance.
- Casual Clothes: bring a clean set of clothes to change into after showers every evening. Plan to dress casually and comfortably!
COVID-PROOFING SAFETY MEASURES
Our team has been hard at work making plans to host your immersive experience. We’ve laid out our safety COVID measures for you to look through as you consider partnering with us.
