On August 16, 2026, twenty-two people from the AMMPARO group, representing Pacifica Synod and six congregations attended Border Church in Tijuana, Mexico. In earlier times, this gathering in Friendship Park would have included family members and friends from both sides of the border for a chance to worship together and share a meal. Now, it is a gathering in spirit, with two dividing walls and a barren strip of land between them. The view from the Mexican side of the wall is covered in colorful murals, posters, and memorials, but if you look between the slats, you see the coiled razor wire on both fences and U.S. border patrol vehicles cruising up and down. Across this wasteland, on the U.S. side, you can just make out the waving worshippers who assemble there each week in solidarity and endless hope that someday the two sides will be reunited.
In Tijuana, Border Church is nestled up against the wall with the city just across the street and locals, immigrants, tourists, and beachgoers passing through and by the patio and park area where services are held. Street vendors and trinket shops, traffic, street musicians, and casual visitors are all within steps and it is difficult to tell just where church begins and ends. All are welcome, many are fed, and Christ is there.
By contrast, on the U.S. side where Border Church is held, the location is isolated and difficult to access. There are no local neighbors in attendance, no casual observers, no sense that San Ysidro or Imperial Beach are nearby. There are no signs of community at all, other than those who choose to make their way to the site. There is no decoration on the wall, either of protest or of joy. Of course, the armed border patrol keeps a watchful eye on everything, but it does not matter. All are welcome, many are fed, and Christ is there.
The gospel for our Sunday worship and the Bible text that Pastor Karla Halvorson preached on, in almost simultaneous translation between English and Spanish, was about Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman. Jesus had deliberately traveled beyond the border of Jewish lands, but when the woman begged for His help, He first ignored her and then insulted her for not being one of the lost sheep of Israel. He may have been testing the cultural biases of the disciples, but her argument convinced Him to heal her daughter. Her faith made her challenge Jesus with humility, but she did not withdraw her request: “…even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
And that brings us to the point of Pastor Karla’s sermon. “The table of God has no borders; no passport is required,” she said, “The crumbs from His table are available to all.”
Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbor. This isn’t a suggestion—it is His commandment and there are no exceptions. AMMPARO will continue to accompany and assist our immigrant neighbors and all are welcome to join us.
(Interested in visiting Border Church on the US side? Fill out this Google form to let them know you're coming!)
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