The World Missions Department seeks to engage every member and every church of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in the work of evangelism and mission. We are working to be faithful to the Great Commission, Jesus Christ's command to "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19), and His Great Commandment "to love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) and to assist the Missionary People of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in their call to "proclaim the word and example of the Good News of God in Christ" (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 305).
Give a gift that makes a difference!
To make a donation to the World Missions Department in honor of someone special for Christmas, email Catherine Markette or mail a check to World Missions, Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, PO Box 6885, San Antonio, Texas 78209. The World Missions department will notify recipients on your behalf for a minimum donation of $15.
The 2025 Application form to request a grant for ministry projects for 2025 from the DWTX World Missions Department is now available. Download the application form and Click here to email completed application forms to Catherine Markette.
All applications must be received by 12:00 a.m., midnight CT on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 and requests will be reviewed by the World Missions Finance Committee after the World Missions budget is finalized during Council. The committee will make all decisions about how grants are dispersed. Please note that the committee is not able to fully fund entire projects.
Grant awards should be announced to applicants sometime during the spring. For questions, please contact Catherine Markette.
Pray for our teams and long-term missionaries working around the world and especially in Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, the Kurdistan region, Mexico, Navajoland, South Dakota, Spain and Uganda. Prayerfully consider becoming a part of a team yourself.
Pray for safety, strength, and resources. A World Missions Prayer Group meets the first Monday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. via Zoom to pray specifically for the needs of missionaries, teams, and our mission partnerships. All are welcome to join.
The World Missions Department has assembled a Devotional Book to guide prayer and reflection for anyone preparing to Go! and serve on a mission team. The printable booklet includes a letter from the Rt. Rev. David Read, prayers, daily devotionals for the 30 days leading up to your departure date, devotionals during the trip, songs, and space to journal.
With a global ministry touching many lives around the world, your contributions are greatly appreciated. Most of the places where we work suffer from economic and physical hardships in which the smallest amounts make the greatest difference.
Click here to make an online donation to support the work of the World Missions Department, or send to the diocesan offices (Attn: World Missions Dept; P.O. Box 6885; San Antonio, TX 78209). In-kind donations may be sent, or delivered, to the diocesan offices as well.
Click here to becoming a founding member of the World Missions Sustainers Circle.
Click here to make a special Christmas donation in honor of a loved one.
Kurdistan "Love for the Least" provides care to more than 400 orphans in Africa, the Middle East, India, and refugees in camps in the Middle East. Support for this ministry can be directed at lovefortheleast.org.
Open the World Missions Catalog to view a map of our global partners in mission.
To invite a World Missions presenter to your church, contact Marthe Curry, Director of World Missions, at marthe.curry@dwtx.org.
The World Missions Department supports a group of long-term missionaries who answer the call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons.” Each is dedicated to sharing the Good News by building relationships and encouraging sustainable global partnerships. For a list of current long-term missionaries, contact Catherine Markette, World Missions Ministries Coordinator, at catherine.markette@dwtx.org.
What are the age limits for mission trips? Youth trips are typically open to students from middle school age through college. International missions ask that team members are at least 18 years old.
How long are mission trips? Depending on the destination, longer trips (e.g. Africa) will take two or more weeks. Shorter destination missions can be done in one week.
How much does a trip cost? The greatest cost of the trip is transportation. Team members pay their own costs with home churches frequently helping out through fundraisers or special gifts. In addition to transportation, include in-country transportation, food, lodging, insurance, baggage fees, and team expenses. Approximate costs for missions of one- or two-week duration: Haiti $1100-$1500; Honduras $1000-1500; Guatemala $1600; N. Mexico $250; SE Mexico $1300-1600; Navajoland $450; Puerto Rico $1225; Uganda/Kenya $3000-3500; USA (youth) $300-500.
What special training do I need to join a team? Team leaders will host 3-4 training sessions prior to the mission. If you are selected for the team, you will receive the training you need. If, however, the mission is for medical, dental, or veterinary work, the team leader will train you to assist in non-procedural matters. Some construction crews need trained workers, but the team leader can guide you regarding experience.
Do I need special immunizations? Some international missions require certain immunizations due to environmental factors. Check with your team leader or your local travel clinic.
Do I need a passport? Yes, and your passport expiration date must exceed 6 months in excess of your date of return to the USA.
What about clothing? Your team leader will inform you of any taboos regarding clothing of your host country. For example, some countries expect women to wear long dresses, and no shorts are allowed for anyone. Tattoos are associated with gang members in some countries and are taboo; therefore, they should be concealed.
Stay Connected to World Missions:
Click here to subscribe to the monthly World Missions E-Newsletter, featuring upcoming mission trips, events, and stories from mission teams.
Follow World Missions on social media, at facebook.com/dwtxworldmission and instagram.com/dwtxworldmissions.
Diocesan World Missions Staff
Ministries Coordinator: Catherine Markette
Short-Term Mission Guidebook
The World Missions Department has compiled a guidebook for use by all short-term mission leaders and their teams, using suggestions and materials submitted by experienced leaders of short-term mission trips and from selected materials. In 2020, the information included was expanded and updated. It provides insight into all aspects of leading and participating in a short-term mission trip from start to finish.
Click here to read the Short-Term Missions Guidebook.Click here to download the World Mission Devotional Book, 2024 edition.
Release Agreement
Prior to embarking on a World Mission Trip, all adults and minors must sign the Release Agreement, linked below, and give to the designated Team Leader.
Click here to download the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Mission Trip Release Agreement, revised December 2022.
Click here to open the World Missions Catalog.
World Missions Children's Curriculum
To engage children in the work our diocese does around the world, the diocesan World Missions Department wrote a collection of 4-lesson studies for children, highlighting children from Kurdistan, Uganda, Guatemala, Navajoland, and Mexico. Each lesson includes a song, a Bible story, information about the country, and activities. These units can be used for Sunday school, children’s chapel, Vacation Bible School, or a family study at-home.
Click here to download the World Missions Children's Curriculum, "Jesus Loves the Little Children"
A number of teams from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas have developed relationships in regions where they have worked for extended periods. There are ongoing ministries that continue to expand in scope and purpose. Below is a list of ministries which typically send teams annually, and most accept additional team members.
Due to security along the border, the diocese does not sponsor youth teams to this area. However, ministry continues through generous gifts of our parishioners and adult teams. Mission activities include creative sewing projects for women, and support of El Buen Pastor and Church of the Resurrección's construction projects. More than twenty women have participated in sewing projects three times a year since 2008, learning to design and complete simple to ornate decorative items and garments. For information, contact Connie Bye.
This ministry offers VBS to all children of the area. Dia de Gracias is celebrated during the Thanksgiving season and includes a feast, games and prizes, and distribution of food and clothing. Las Posadas is also celebrated at Christmastime with food, music, games, and gifts, while Mary and Joseph's quest for lodging in Bethlehem is reenacted. For more information, contact Amanda Allen.
This team sponsors micro-enterprise programs through a bakery and water filtration project established to produce much needed income for families in the region. Women's ministries offer topical conferences for women and craft sessions that highlight creativity and art. Vacation Bible School is conducted during summer missions in partnership with members of the local church. A fully-equipped clinic, partly funded by DWTX, serves the area and has provided opportunities for a medical intern. Senior clergy from DWTX share knowledge and experience with fellow clergy in Southeast Mexico. For more information, contact Rosine Carter.
For many years, the “Threads of God” team has worked with over 50 women from more than a dozen villages in the Copan, Santa Barbara, and Intibuca regions of Honduras. They are assisting them in creating a sustainable micro-enterprise. Team members teach design, technique, and marketability while returning all proceeds to participants. Contact Terry Koehler for more information.
With a mission to provide holistic community health, Love Honduras veterinary teams vaccinate and treat parasites in large and small animals, vision teams provide vision testing and glasses for children, and public health initiatives including water cisterns and community development have been the hallmarks of this team for more than 30 years. Team veterinarians will train volunteers to be med-tech assistants. Updated rabies immunizations are required to join the team. Contact Dr. Riva Heron for more information.
Teams have established four micro-enterprises with low income women, including sewing, baking, and school supplies. The Manos Scholarship Program has a total of 70 students, including 50 in grades 7-12, and 20 students in college. In addition, they have 11 college graduates. Teams have fitted nearly 5,000 pairs of glasses in the last 15 years and improved the living conditions of families through the Casitas Project that repairs or constructs homes for families. Contact Patricia Perea for more information.
The Owen Project is part of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church's (Seguin) long-standing Honduras mission engagement. Laptop computers designed by MIT for rural Third World environments have been taken to isolated mountain schools around Siguatepeque, Honduras, and other Latin American countries for years. Contact Sally and Mark Keddal for more information.
The Owen Project recently expanded to the Episcopal Diocese of Navajoland and is working to provide computers and computer access in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
Texas Water Mission provides clean water solutions, offering clean drinking water to more than 50,000 Hondurans since 2003. The ministry also teaches water hygiene and conducts Bible classes with activities for children. Contact Linda Stone, or visit www.texaswatermission.org to learn more.
Since 2010, these mission teams have built houses for abused and widowed indigenous women and provided medical and dental care in the highlands of Guatemala. On the job training is provided for anyone with a giving and serving heart. Contact Dr. Lorena Rojas or Jorge Rojas for more information.
In 2009, St. George School and Church (San Antonio) began a relationship with St. Benoit Church and School in Mombin Crochu, Haiti. With assistance from the National Episcopal Church and St. George School’s Annual Chain of Love fundraising event, they have helped build a new school facility, a new kitchen, and made other capital improvements. The Chain of Love also helps fund students, teachers, meals, and other programs. While they are not currently taking any teams, they are working to build a new computer lab and a possible internet café to serve the community. Contact Keith Earle or Bernadette Williams for more information.
Texas Water Mission provides clean water solutions, ranging from water wells to rain catchment systems, or spring boxes. The ministry also provides water hygiene training and children’s spiritual formation classes with activities. See Texas Water Mission in Navajoland and Honduras. Contact Linda Stone, or visit www.texaswatermission.org to learn more.
Since 2004, teams have worked with the Rafiki AIDS Orphanage outside Nairobi to fund and partner in various projects, including construction, micro-enterprise, farming, and various arts and educational events. Approximately eighty children live on the site that also has a school, barber shop, farm, bakery, and a small savings and loan office. Mission activities include Vacation Bible School, Youth Enrichment, and structural maintenance projects. Youth teams have participated in farming chores and built a tilapia farm. Contact Catherine Markette for more information.
Youth team projects include rebuilding deteriorating parts of the church building, establishing church gardens, and improving access to the church property. Other projects include building a food pantry and office/health screening addition and providing a weeklong Vacation Bible School. Contact Dawn McLendon for more information.
The Diocese of West Texas has begun working with the Episcopal Church of South Dakota including the Black Horse Ranch, a part of the Cheyenne River Reservation, an equine therapy ministry geared toward the Lakota people, which was recently started by The Rev. Ellen and the Rev. Kurt Huber.
The Band & Bible Mission supports the brass band ministry of three Ugandan dioceses: Kampala, Bunyoro-Kitara, and Nebbi. Students learn to read music, musicianship, and instrument repair, in addition to spiritual formation rooted in scripture. A scholarship program overseen by members of the band has been established to assist students in completing their education and provides tutoring for students. This team is made up of experienced band teachers or members and travels in the summer. Contact Richard Wallace for more information.
The Threads of Blessing ministry teaches embroidery and design, quality control, and marketability of tapestries, with more than 650 Ugandan women currently involved. Since 2005, the ministry has provided an annual workshop for women, encouraging positive self-esteem and spiritual growth. Threads of Blessing also provides instruction in basic business skills and explores and locates markets for the sale of tapestries. Contact Helen Schnelzer for more information or visit threadsofblessing.org.
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