Since we first publicly announced our new ministry opportunity, Then GO! Ministries, the most frequent questions asked are “Where is the RGV” and “Why are you going there?”
The first question is easy enough to answer. The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is located in the most southern part of Texas. It encompasses four Texas counties, Cameron, Hildago, Starr, Willacy counties. Its demographics reflect about 90% of the population is Hispanic or Latino, and 73% speak a language other than English at home. This mixture of Latino and American culture makes the RGV one of the unique places in the U.S. It really exists on the edge of two worlds. The culture in the RGV is vibrant, and the people are hardworking, humble, and very family/community-oriented.
Additionally, four of the poorest counties in Texas make up the RGV, which leads to the “why are you going?” Poverty is a real big issue in the RGV. Food insecurity, not having sufficient access to healthy meals is a daily struggle. Roughly half of the Rio Grande Valley is considered a food desert, or a geographic area where access to healthy food is limited, according to research from Texas A&M University. We want to help provide opportunities for food security throughout the local communities.
In scripture (Matthew 25: 40) …” to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” rings true so deep in my soul. To love God and to love others requires that we see the least of these as valued and prized by the Lord Himself as we go to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
I have longed to serve the Lord, outside the walls of the church building, in ways that reach the most forgotten and neglected in our society, which are often poor, unfed, unclothed, under-educated, and to see them as my Savior sees them. To be able to minister to physical needs and pour into people’s spiritual needs. To show the grace and mercy that has been shown me by a loving Father God, and to do so with Brenda, alongside me. Then GO! Ministries is that vision come alive.
While most organizations are seeking to send out missionaries to the 10/40 corridor area of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia; other countries are actually sending more missionaries to the United States than ever before. I see that as an opportunity for Brenda and me to move to the RGV and minister to the local Pastors providing leadership training, discipleship, food, clothes, shelter, and the good news of Jesus Christ!
Why Then GO! Ministries? If God is everything He says He is in the scriptures, if God called His disciples to GO and make disciples, and if He has called us to a specific people group and place…Then GO! We can do nothing else. We are excited and curious to see how God will work through us to bring glory to Himself.
We’d be honored if you would come alongside us in prayer, come serve with us as opportunities arise, and, if led to do so, support us financially as we embark on this amazing new journey. We are not seeking to do anything but be a part of building the kingdom of God; all for His glory. Remember Then GO! Ministries in your daily prayers. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We love you guys.
Terry & Brenda McDaniel
5 thoughts on “Two Questions: Where & Why?”
Brenda and Terry we lift you daily in prayer. That God will open doors of opportunity and bless and provide your needs as well as the ones you are serving..God Bless you on this journey..May He cover you with His Grace and Mercy…guide your steps and light your way.. Be safe. Stay in touch…Love in Christ..Elaine and Charles Cornell.
Thank you so much, we are very appreciative of your prayers.
? Praise the Lord
Terry,
I bet your dad is glowing in heaven to see what you & Brenda are doing!
Do you both speak Spanish?
Do you also serve across the border or only in Texas? I’m asking because our church, FBC Sunnyvale near Dallas has been helping an orphanage in Reynosa at Christmas for many years.
Also, you might be interested in the techniques and ministry of Bonton Farms in Dallas. They have been very successful in teaching individuals who are in dire conditions to grow, harvest and sell basic & specialty foods while leading them to follow Christ.
Praying for you!
Margie, wow, how awesome to hear from you. Yes, we have done some ministry across the border but our primary focus has been on this side of the border with local Pastors in the small churches in and around the colonias. Several of our friends do ministry in Matamoras and Progreso. We are trying to learn and pick up Spanish as best we can. We’d love to meet up with you and your church at some point when y’all come down to do ministry. We would be interested in the farming aspect as well. I have seen that in Africa and Central America and it has been successful
I do hope that dad would be proud of the life we have journeyed, it has been an interesting ride for sure. Great to hear from you, please keep in touch.