Updated: 12.14.2020
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Trinity on the Border began its work in the Rio Grande Valley in July 2015 when Fr. Michael and Dr. Erica Jarrett M.D. were sent to develop an Anglican response to some of the issues that are specific to our southern border. We are a chapel and outreach mission of the ACNA serving in various capacities along the South Texas border.
Historically, our work has focussed on serving among the vulnerable (migrants, immigrants, and the poor) but this is not all that we do. Our ministry includes: a free medical clinic, working with an immigrant shelter and other local ministries to the vulnerable, a K-4th Grade school, a weekly healing service, a weekly Sunday Eucharist, and occasional Holy Day services.
We are supported by churches from at least seven ACNA dioceses and by individuals from churches in just about every diocese.
Job Overview
We are looking for someone who feels called to serve as a missionary priest along the South Texas border. This work will include: working with immigrants from around the world as well as the more typical pastoral work of preaching, teaching, and pastoral visitations.
We have a small group of people who gather on Sundays for Anglican worship. We also have a weekly school chapel service and a weekly healing service. Our mission has a “high” theology of worship and the Church with a missionary practicality.
Our Vision
Our desire is to be a compelling expression of Christianity for the 21st century. We would like to see the Anglican Church grow here along the border out of our culture of service, outreach work with the vulnerable, care for our community, care for God’s creation, and commitment to historically Christian beliefs and practices. We take a lot of our cues from the positive aspects of New World missions in Texas and California.
Ideal Candidate
This is a missionary position. An applicant should be very aware of that. Outside of the team, there is not an Anglican community anywhere nearby. As a missionary, you are joining a mission culture more so than simply filling a job role. A missionary priest must be flexible, adaptable, and a self-starter.
We are on the Mexican border. Someone with affection, experience, and/or desire for Hispanic ministry would be ideal. That said, we work with people from all over the world down here. It is a very international job.
A candidate that is able to be bi-vocational would be welcome, however, your other job should probably be something you bring with you. Salaries are not high for part-time jobs.
Time and Compensation
All of our missionaries must raise a portion of their own salary. The amount of pay is dependent upon experience and estimated hours you will be “on the job” (you’re a missionary, you’re never really off the job).
About Harlingen
Harlingen is a town of about 75,000. We are approximately 15 miles from the Mexican border and around 30 miles North of the southernmost part of the continental U.S. (we’re about the same latitude as Miami). We are about 45 minutes from South Padre Island and within 30 minutes from some of the best coastal fishing in America. We’re one of the top retirement areas in the country with another 100,000 “winter Texans” coming down for the months of December – April. If you’ve never been to the Rio Grande Valley – it’s a whole other world.