New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open - 29

New World Outlook

has already organized a variety of responses. Pastors all over the country accompany Mexican migrants
and their families on a daily basis. In
the north, the IMMAR partners with
several organizations that help international migrants who end up for a
time in their communities-some
attempting to cross into the United
States and some returning as a result
of deportation.
Here in Central and Southern
Mexico, where I am based, there
are several initiatives to support migrants in transit on their way north.
Mostly from the Northern Triangle
of Central America-Honduras,
Guatemala, and El Salvador, traditionally, migrants have ridden on top of
the cargo trains, nicknamed la Bestia
("the beast"), that run in different
routes from the southern border to
the northern one. Lately, migrants
walk on more of the journey (or take
local transportation) because of: increased police enforcement measures; train company security tactics
(including faster train speeds and private security officers who carry guns
and won't let migrants get on); and
Mexican cartels, local gangs, and
misguided individuals increasing violent attacks.
However, many still follow the
train tracks, using them as a map.
Several Methodist churches located
along the route of la Bestia developed ministries to meet the needs
of these migrants. Churches in
Apizaco, Tlaxcala, and Salamanca in
Guanajuato supply food to migrants
along the train tracks. The Methodist
church in Celaya, Guanajuato, supports a shelter for migrants, providing food and clothes. The church
in Apaxco, in the State of Mexico,
opens the doors of the church and
offers migrants dinner and breakfast,
a place to sleep and shower, toiletries, and clothes.

SUMMER 2017

Amanda Cherry (far left) with
several students from the
Seminario Metodista "Dr. Gonzalo
Báez Camargo" by the old train
station next to the Methodist
church in Apaxco.
PHOTO: JORGE HUERTA

A mural in a migrant shelter in
Tapachula, Chiapas.
PHOTO: AMANDA CHERRY

A Call to Migrant Ministries

My role is to integrate into work that
is already happening in my region and
to see how I can support, encourage, or help grow these ministries.
That has meant getting to know not
only the existing migrant ministries
of the IMMAR but also other migrant
programs and ministries in the area
and academics or professionals who
study migration or advocate for migrants. In visiting churches, I offer a
theological grounding for work they
are already doing or are in the process of forming.
I also provide logistical support
when needed, such as helping to secure funds, thinking about how to
structure the ministry, and researching the context. One of my favorite

parts of my job is teaching classes on migration and theology in the
Methodist seminary Gonzalo Báez
Camargo. I offer current and future
pastors new readings, ideas, and
ministry tools to complement their
own experiences with migration and
ministries with migrants.

Amanda Cherry is a Global Mission Fellow serving for two years as a migration
ministry coordinator with the Methodist Church of Mexico, based in Apaxco.
Originally from Louisville, Kentucky,
Cherry (Advance #3022198) has a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from
Samford University in Birmingham,
Alabama, and a Master of Divinity
degree from Boston University.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open