Presidio, located just a few miles away from Big Bend National Park in Texas, is a small border town with a big need: hope.
With very few local sources of employment other than the education system, people usually travel north to other towns for work.
But for many years, those who want to go to church have chosen to travel south—to the neighboring town of Ojinaga, Mexico.
“For decades, there has been a great need for the Gospel to take root in Presidio,” said Amy Galindo, who, with her husband Lupe, helps lead a church in Ojinaga and a church plant in Presidio.
When Amy heard that Franklin Graham was bringing the God Loves You Frontera Tour to Presidio, it made her heart jump, she said.
“Presidio is so small… I mean, is it even on the map?” she said, jokingly.
Franklin Graham is going to 10 different cities along the U.S.-Mexico border to share the message of God’s love—starting at the Gulf of Mexico and ending at the Pacific Ocean. Presidio is the sixth stop, on March 2.
“Where there is need, the Gospel provides hope,” said Steve Rhoads, vice president of Church Ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). “The command of Jesus is to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The church is responsible for fulfilling the Great Commission wherever people can be found.”
This is not the first time the ministry has intentionally brought the Gospel message to a small community. BGEA wants to take the Good News wherever there is need—whether it’s in a big city or a small town, said Rhoads.
“When they don’t know Christ, they are looking for answers” he said. “They are looking for meaning and purpose, and the Gospel provides that.”
As the border makes the headlines frequently, the needs in the region are ever-pressing. “The churches along the border are passionate about sharing the Gospel and they are asking God to move in the hearts of those who are lost,” said Rhoads.
“Pastors along the border know better than anyone how the Gospel specifically applies and meets the needs of all people. For years, the church has been faithfully praying, simply sharing Jesus, and discipling those who come to Christ. It is a privilege to work with these churches to spread the Good News that Jesus saves.”
Two Towns, One Ministry
Back in the 1970s, when Jaime Armendáriz moved to Presidio, he looked for a Christian church to attend. But to his surprise, he couldn’t find a single Spanish-speaking evangelical church in town.
In fact, there was only one church in the little town whose population has struggled to grow throughout the decades.
Years later, the Lord called Armendáriz to plant a church in Presidio, but he knew it was not going to be an easy task. He found some helping hands just a few minutes away from Presidio—in Ojinaga, Mexico.
“We’ve learned that ministry in this region has to take place on both sides of the border,” said Galindo, Armendáriz’s daughter, who, alongside her husband, continues the ministry and vision that the Lord gave her father.
“The connection between Presidio and Ojinaga is very strong,” said Galindo. “People pass from one town to the other all the time.”
Locals are praying expectantly for changed lives through the tour, and they believe it will also strengthen the unity among the churches—for years to come.
“For the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to come here is already an answered prayer. And because of that, I know that I know that God is going to do something here,” said Galindo. “It seemed impossible to me, but nothing is impossible for God.”
The Franklin Graham God Loves You Frontera Tour: Get Involved or Help Spread the Word Today.
