US/MEXICO BORDER IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

Tour Leader: The Rev. Joel Hortiales a GBGM Missionary (Advance #3022410) is assigned to the California Pacific Conference to work with ministries and non-profit organizations who work with immigrants in San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. Part of his ministry is organizing and crafting immersion experience tours. He is in partnership with Susan Harriss (CalPac UMVIM Coordinator).

Purpose of an Immersion Experience: This draws a person or group into an asylum seekers environment and allowing them to feel completely engaged rather than just observing.

Potential Activities:

Border Crossing

Friendship Park – Tijuana (The border wall up close and personal)

Visit to Centro 32 (works with traumatized immigrants in shelters on their psychological and educational wellbeing)

Deliver Donations

Volunteer at a Shelter

A Feeding Program of the Mexican Methodist Church (Comedor “Juan 6:35”) (A feeding program in a low-income area.)

Help educators in the “Baby Bus” (working with traumatized immigrant children)

Interview Asylum Seekers

Lunch at Café de La Flor – Tijuana

The Costs: Transportation to San Diego on your own; lodging on your own or it can be arranged; meals; donations for the programs.

The length of your tour depends on the number of activities that you choose to do.

What to Do Next:

1. Contact Rev. Joel Hortiales at jhortiales@calpacumc.org and/or text 323-572-4228.

2. Set the day or days of your immersion experience tour. Include what you would like to experience. Rev. Hortiales will contact you with a proposed immersion tour and more information about costs.

3. Passport: It is critical to have a current passport with at least 6 months prior to expiring when you are scheduled to cross the border. You do want to be able to return to the USA.

Dear Friends in Faith                                                                                      June, 2025
 
Grace and peace to you from your Conference Committee on Mission Service!

Immigration remains a deeply significant issue within the United Methodist Church, and we invite you to explore it more closely by participating in the U.S./Mexico Border Immersion Experience, led by Rev. Joel Hortiales of the California-Pacific Conference. This powerful experience offers firsthand insight into the lives and struggles of migrants along the border. For more details or to express interest, please contact Rev. Joel at jhortiales@calpacumc.org or text 323-572-4228. You may also refer to the program flyer here:

We also look forward to gathering at the California-Nevada Annual Conference Session (ACS), taking place June 27–30 in Sacramento. All clergy, lay delegates, and mission-minded attendees are warmly invited to the CCMS Luncheon on Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. Join us at the Bento Box Midtown Banquet Room, 1101 16th Street, Sacramento, to hear inspiring updates from our Missions Program and honored guest missionaries. The cost to attend is $35, and you may register online at: https://calnev-reg.brtapp.com/2025CCMSdinner.

We are pleased to announce the first three recipients of the 2025 International Great Commission Mission Grants:

• Calvary UMC (for their work in Cuba and Vietnam)

• Korean UMC of Santa Clara Valley (for their mission in Laos)

These matching grants are designed to encourage local churches to engage in global church planting and support for international congregations. As part of the grant requirements, mission teams are sent to visit the supported missionaries and projects. For more information, please review the grant guidelines and application form.

We’re also excited to announce that planning is underway for the annual mission trip to Fiji, scheduled for August 2025. If you’re interested in joining this life-giving journey, contact Siteri Maravou at sitermaravou@gmail.com.

In addition, the United Women in Faith continue to lead transformative education efforts through Mission u, an annual program preparing participants for faithful living and action. This year’s theme is "Practicing Hope Together." Remaining sessions include:

• July 19 – Centennial UMC, Sacramento

• July 25–27 – ECCO Center, Oakhurst

• August 8–9 – Epworth UMC, Fallon, Nevada

• August 29–31 – Joyful Healer UMC, McKinleyville

You can find more information in the Mission u Flyer here.

Finally, please take a moment to read the June edition of The Mission Connection, our Conference UMVIM newsletter, which highlights the latest mission work across our communities. This month’s issue includes reports on two recent mission trips and is available here: (insert link).

We share mission stories and outreach opportunities each month, and we’d love to hear from you! If your church has a mission story to tell, please send your article and accompanying photos to me at justincryu@gmail.com.

Living in Hope,
Justin Chesung Ryu, Chair of CCMS
On behalf of the California-Nevada Mission Service Committee