Question: Why would I attend Crossing Borders instead of another mission camp program?
Answer: There is room for many camps with different program priorities as we all seek to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus. At Crossing Borders, we intend to focus on three aspects. First, to help each participant discover and analyze his/her unique personal gifts, talents and heart in relation to his/her Christian service. Second, to train each participant in practical ways he/she can apply his/her talents in outreach evangelism. Third, to participate in hands-on servant evangelism in a foreign culture. Rather than do only one type of project during camp, Crossing Borders participants will take advantage of a wide variety of ministry activities—a sort of “sampler camp” for missionary work. Our prayer is that each participant will realize life-change—in his/her own life and in the lives of those to whom we reach out.

Question: What kind of historical experience does Crossing Borders camp have?
Answer: 2006 was the first year for this specific camp location and program—and it was a smashing success! Since then, we’ve continued with our week-long summer camp and we’ve added a winter-time shoebox ministry trip into Mexico. This camp also draws from a long history and connection with other related camps. Crossing Borders is a member of the international family of camps sponsored by Generations Ministry of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). The WCG has been running camps every year since 1965, and currently has 18 regional camps across the U.S.—as well as camps in Canada, Africa, the Philippines, Europe and other countries. Crossing Borders camp operates under the supervision of Generations Ministry, so we have the benefit of over four decades of history and the combined experience of dozens of camp locations and thousands of camp participants.

Question: I’ve heard on news reports that there is a lot of crime and danger over the Mexican border. Will we be safe on our trips into Mexico?
Answer: Yes, there is some ongoing violence on the Mexican border—but it has calmed down a lot from previous levels. But the news media reports do not tell the whole story. Tourists, business people and missionaries are not the focus of the violence. Long-term missionaries operating in Mexico report that they are as free and safe to do their work as ever. The bulk of the violence is among and between factions of gangs, crime syndicates, and illegal drug dealers and the police. On the positive side, the Mexican government has responded to the problem by replacing hundreds of corrupt police, sending in extra law enforcement staff and rooting out the criminal base. The U.S. and Texas governments are also contributing resources, and the problems have greatly decreased. Of course, Crossing Borders camp uses wisdom and caution in our work in Mexico. Our ministry work will be with orphans, churches and families in public areas. We are being personally guided in Mexico by experienced Christian locals who live in the border region, are aware of the local situation and will take us to the safest areas. We will always travel and work in groups—never as individuals. We will stay away from any known areas of violence, and we will spend each night on the U.S. side of the border at our base camp.

Question: Is a passport required for our camp travels into Mexico?
Answer: NO, a passport is not required for U.S. citizens to travel by land into Mexico. Although there is a proposed law that will in the near future require passports for land travel into Mexico, the law is not scheduled to go into effect until later. For more details about required documents, go to our “Travel” link.

Question: Are any special medical shots or vaccinations required to enter Mexico?
Answer: No.