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SERVING OUR U.S.-BORDER COMMUNITY SINCE 1997.
Story of Service
1997
Starting in Faith
In 1997, Dot Quaintance founded Border Servant Corps as a ministry of Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dot – and a group of committed congregation members – began the ministry to serve the community in partnership with nonprofit organizations in Las Cruces, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. For two decades, more than 100 yearlong volunteers from around the country committed to the tenets of community, simplicity, social justice, and spirituality while serving with nonprofits in the borderlands.
2018
Answering the Call
Ruben Garcia, Director of Annunciation House, expanded the Hospitality Network in the El Paso Sector (New Mexico and west Texas) to include Border Servant Corps and Peace Lutheran Church. After a series of intentional gatherings, the congregation opened their building, shared of their resources, and welcomed migrant families – primarily from the Northern Triangle of Central America – supported by community volunteers.
2021
Serving in All Circumstances
At the beginning of 2021, with the anticipation of a lifting of Title 42 and Migrant Protection Protocols, alongside the cautious social safety practices related to COVID-19, Border Servant Corps was asked to consider receiving migrants in a 24/7 capacity. As a result, Border Servant Corps activated the first 24/7 NGO-led migrant Hospitality Center in New Mexico.
2022
Investing in Community
In the spring of 2022, Border Servant Corps activated the first 7 day a week NGO-led migrant Reception Team to support all migrants in the regional Hospitality Network navigating travel at the El Paso airport.
2023
Better Together
In addition to becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Border Servant Corps became an official Social Ministry Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, affiliated through the Rocky Mountain Synod. Additionally, Border Servant Corps became a member of Lutheran Services in America, alongside more than 300 health and human service organizations across the country.
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Border Servant Corps activated the first Port Reception Site to receive CBP One™ migrants. In November 2023, USCIS began co-location to complete biometrics as part of an expedited employment authorization process.
2024
Expanding Accompaniment
Border Servant Corps activated a 24/7 Hospitality Center in El Paso, TX. In April 2024, Border Servant Corps activated the Human Rights & Advocacy Program. Increased support for migrants continues in collaboration with regional and national partners, including the CBP One™ Arc of Services Program to expedite a migrant's path to self-sufficiency.
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