For decades, the Encuentro course has been one of the hallmarks of the seminary’s curriculum – a signature anchor of its inclusive commitment to Latinx and multicultural ministry in which all M.Div. students participate. The annual January term intensive facilitates an encounter with Latino life, culture, and religion in the United States and especially the realities of the U.S.-Mexican border. It also provides familiarity with diverse models of Latino/Hispanic ministry. At the cornerstone of the course is a trip to engage the complexity of the U.S.-Mexico border as a political, geographic, and religious space.
This year, complex and quickly changing realities forced the course to reinvent itself.
Due to the uncertainty created by the new administration’s changes and attitudes toward immigration, the trip to the border near Laredo, TX, was rescheduled from January to March 6 through March 9. Other changes to the trip had to be made because some of the partners who provided help to migrants were forced to close because of executive orders.
“While we are saddened that we could not visit such important organizations, the trip to Laredo continues to be an immersive experience focused on border issues, social justice, and service,” said the Rev. Nancy Frausto, Director of the Latinx Studies Program.
“The trip to the border has for years been a transformative part of our MDiv curriculum,” said Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, dean and president. “This year, perhaps more than any other, getting an up-close view of what is happening was crucial for our students as they prepare to minister to Latinx populations and to engage in various types of cross-cultural ministries. I am so thankful for the Rev. Nancy Frausto and for her leadership of this trip. Nancy has a remarkable ability to convene reflective conversations in the midst of what can be overwhelming experiences. I also want to thank Dr. Steve Bishop for being a faculty facilitator on the trip. I am grateful that every year our students get the chance to experience the realities of the border first-hand.”
On the first day, students spoke with U.S. Border Patrol and Customs agents, providing insights into border security operations, migration trends, and the complexities of enforcing immigration policies every time a new administration takes control. Afterward, they visited Casa de Misericordia, a shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence. The students learned about the shelter’s mission to provide safety, legal assistance, and counseling services to survivors.
“The visit emphasized the shelters’ critical role in providing stability and hope for women and children escaping dangerous situations,” said Frausto. “This visit was incredibly impactful for the students as they saw firsthand how well trauma-informed care is being done. A highlight of our trip was getting the opportunity to hear a migrant’s story of how she ran away from an abusive marriage and walked from Honduras to the U.S. Along the way, she was kidnapped. She survived many difficulties, but not once did she doubt that God was with her on her journey.”
On their second day at the border, the students volunteered at a food bank operated by Christ Episcopal Church, Laredo. Students helped distribute food to approximately 250 individuals who were unemployed, unhoused, or living in poverty. This hands-on service experience highlighted the ongoing food insecurity struggle in border communities and reinforced the importance of community-based support systems.
After the food bank, students toured a colonia, an unincorporated settlement typical in border regions. Colonias are characterized by a lack of basic infrastructure such as paved roads, running water, and electricity. The economic reality for many colonia residents is stark, with poverty rates significantly higher than national averages. According to U.S. Census data, some colonias have poverty rates exceeding 40%, with limited access to healthcare and educational resources. This part of the trip underscored the systemic challenges in these marginalized communities.
One of the most solemn moments of the trip was when students gathered along the Rio Grande to pray for migrants who had lost their lives attempting to cross into the United States. According to recent data from the U.S. Border Patrol, hundreds of migrants die each year while crossing the border, with many succumbing to drowning in the river’s unpredictable currents. In 2022 alone, more than 850 migrant deaths were reported along the U.S.-Mexico border, making it one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.
“Teaching the January term and taking the students down to the border is a privilege and a highlight of my position,” said Rev. Frausto. “I pray that all seminaries prioritize theological education surrounding the border and caring for ‘the crucified people of today.’ Our politics have made migration a political issue; we, as faith leaders, must change the narrative and present this as a human rights issue. Who has the right to a better life? Who deserves freedom? What makes someone worthy of dreaming of a better life? These are the questions we should be asking. If we believe in the belovedness of all God’s children, how do we live out this belief in a world divided by borders?”
“I pray this experience is as transformative to the students as it has been for me.”
