Una familia en Cristo

Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana of Brownsville, Texas, welcomes all God’s children as one family in Christ

by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo, PC(USA)’s Ministry Engagement and Support, prepares to preach at Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana Brownsville. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — While the clever lawyer in the parable of the Good Samaritan may ask Jesus, “Who is my neighbor,” the members and leaders at Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana in Brownsville, Texas, boldly ask a slightly different question.

Who is my family?

And, especially in such contentious times as these, the church — which is located mere miles from the U.S.-Mexico border — offers its unequivocal response.

“We are one family in Christ, una familia en Cristo,” said the Rev. Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo in a guest sermon he preached on Sunday, Oct. 20. “The Gospel calls us to cross borders and boundaries to find our family, to bring us all together.”

Garcia-Arroyo, a member of Mission Presbytery who serves as a ministry engagement advisor in the PC(USA)’s Ministry Engagement and Support, was recently invited to fill the pulpit by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Joel Martínez López, on the occasion of a visit there by national staff.

In fact, crossing borders and boundaries to welcome all God’s children as family could very well be Primera Iglesia’s motto.

“We continue to be the hands and feet of Christ in the community,” said Leticia G. “Lety” Martínez, a ruling elder and Pastor Martínez’s wife. “Fellowship has been the key to opening the door. And people keep coming back. We have established that foundation.”

From left to right at Primera Iglesia: the Rev. Lemuel Garcia-Arroyo, MES; Lety Martínez; and the Rev. Joel Martínez López. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)

Organized in 1877, Primera Iglesia is the oldest Hispanic Presbyterian Church in the U.S. Before Martínez was called as its pastor in 2003, the church was served by a long line of distinguished Presbyterian ministers, including Martínez’s father and grandfather. Lety Martínez also shared her own history with the congregation by pointing to a photo of her great-great-grandfather in the church’s family tree.

“Identity,” Martínez said, “is one of three key words for us at this church. It’s a blessing for us to keep our identity. Although we have changed and transformed, we have roots that have sustained us.”

The other two words that guide the congregation are “connectiveness” and “empowerment.”

“You have to be connected with all the agencies, not only with the agencies nationwide, but also with the community, the schools and universities, human resources and more,” she continued. “Being connected with the community is a plus to establish different ministries. And then you need empowerment. You have to look for the right person for those ministries.”

Because of those three key words, although the congregation averages about 40-50 people in worship, the church’s impressive impact belies its small size.

The sanctuary of Primera Iglesia. (Photo by Emily Enders Odom)

Primera Iglesia’s outreach, both digital and in person, includes programs in and with community centers, immigrant and homeless ministries, visitation and devotions in area hospices, nutrition education and diabetes prevention workshops, and, most recently, mental health programs.

“We also just adopted Putegnat Elementary School,” said Martínez. “We bring school supplies, clothes, gifts and have a good relationship with the teachers, counselors, and the school nurse. The school has a very poor population.”

But the small congregation’s resources — experts such as doctors and nutritionists — are rich.

“We thank God we have this church,” she said.

The Rev. Wilson Kennedy, the PC(USA)’s associate director for Special Offerings and Appeals, called the church an inspiration.

“You make yourself available to be a partner in every way,” Kennedy said. “Please come. Use this beautiful facility. That’s what it means to be the body of Christ.”