For thirty years, Our Father Lutheran Church of Centennial, Colorado has spent Thanksgiving weekend in the borderland, serving through Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM). Three decades of families traveling together. Three decades of parents and children passing down a tradition of service. Three decades of living out one shared purpose: bringing God’s love to people in need.
This long partnership didn’t happen by accident. It grew through dedication, teamwork, and a deep desire to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. Every year, the congregation works together to raise the funds for 1,000 meals—an effort that touches every corner of their church. Members sign up to cook turkeys ahead of time, children donate extra Halloween candy for dessert bags, and families contribute to campus improvement projects at YLM. Service is not a side activity for this congregation; it is part of their identity.
This year, a team of twenty-seven arrived on Wednesday afternoon, ready for the weekend ahead. A college student and a professional ballerina flew in later that night so they could join their families and stay connected to a tradition they grew up with. As soon as they arrived, everyone jumped in –organizing food, coordinating small teams, and preparing for the full days ahead.
That evening, many joined the small congregation of San Pablo Lutheran Church for their Thanksgiving worship service. As is tradition, people stood and shared what they were grateful for. Members of the Our Father team joined in, giving thanks alongside a congregation that welcomed them year after year. It was a reminder of how the body of Christ stretches across states, cultures, and languages.
Friday morning, vans were loaded with food that had been prepared with care. At La Santa Biblia in Anapra, the team was greeted with joy. Children ran to the vans to hug the teenagers –friendships formed through years of shared meals and shared moments. More than three hundred meals were served and packed into to-go boxes for families to enjoy later.
On Saturday, the team loaded up again. After delivering food for 100 meals to Rosy to serve at Cristo Rey, they headed out to Kilometer 30. The Comedor Infantil Emanuel welcomed them with open arms. Once again, over three hundred meals were served and packed for later use. Each meal was a simple expression of God’s love.
Meanwhile, another group stayed on the YLM campus. They rolled up their sleeves to prep and paint the Servant Event Dormitory and the Tool Shed, all projects that help support the many ministries taking place throughout the year.
Thirty years of partnership is more than a number. It represents trust, shared mission, and a commitment to carrying Christ’s love across borders. As YLM celebrates this milestone with Our Father Lutheran Church, we give thanks for every volunteer, every prayer, every meal prepared, and every act of kindness offered in Jesus’ name.
This is what long-term partnership looks like. This is what God can do when His people work together.
