Updated: 3.25.2022
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Ministry Overview
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 focused on serving among the vulnerable (migrants, immigrants, and the poor) but this is not all that we do. Our ministry also includes: a free medical clinic, working with an immigrant shelter and other local ministries to the vulnerable, a K-5th Grade school, a daily Morning Prayer 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. As a Missionary Curate, you will maintain canonical residency in your home diocese.
Job Overview
We have a responsive outreach service ministry that offers pastoral services through and to our partner ministries over a 60 mile area and we use our Missionary Curates to help meet these needs. The Senior Missionary Chaplain will assist Fr. Michael by directing and managing the various weekday chapel services/pastoral work and leading the Missionary Curacy program.
In the past two years this has included:
Weekly Healing Service
Morning Prayer up to 3-5x week
Occasional Evening Prayer
Weekly School Chapel
Weekly Prayer Service in Mexico
Chaplaincy work at 2 free-clinic locations
Pastoral availability at immigrant shelter
Pastoral care of a growing congregation (currently 20 +/- with ages from 4-74)
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. Although most of our work is in Harlingen, TX we do work from Matamoros, Mexico to Mcallen, TX (60 miles apart), so the Senior Missionary Chaplain must be organized yet VERY flexible, adaptable, and an independent worker.
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. The main thing we need is a good attitude and willingness to work outside of your comfort zone.
Candidates that desire to be bi-vocational will be considered, however, your other job should probably be something you bring with you. Salaries are not high for part-time jobs in our area.
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.