Welcome the Highland Park Baptist Church River Ministries home page. Here you can find out about mission opportunities that you can participate in, see pictures of previous trips, and contact trip organizers.

Our Mission

To minister to the health and spiritual needs of the people in the Rio Grande River Valley.

Ministry History

The River Ministry actually started at Church of the Savior in 1989.  For several years, the ministry focused on mission and community development projects in the colonia of Piedras Negras, across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.   It was on these projects that we established a long term relationship with Dr. Ruben Juarez.  Ruben is a medical doctor who gave up his practice and upper class life to become a pastor and community leader.  He also volunteers his time to serve as the medical coordinator for the Del Rio-Uvalde and East Coahuila Baptist associations.

Highland Park Baptist become involved in 1994.  The construction and community development work continued to be a central focus on these trip.  The people of the Rio Grande valley often lack basic medical care and health education and the price of these deficiencies is often paid by new-born babies and children.  In 1996, nurses on the River Ministry team realized this as an opportunity where they could use their talents.   Monthly prenatal clinics were established and have continued to see around 50 clients each trip.  These clinics are staffed by nurses at Highland Park, associates from their workplaces, and local Mexican medical personnel.  Soon after the establishment of the clinics, it became evident that there was an opportunity to minister to the needs of the children that accompanied the mothers to the clinic.  Now, planned children's activities draws children and their parents into the church.  

Volunteers at monthly prenatal and pediatric clinics now educate and treat the mothers and children of poor areas in Laredo and Piedras Negras. The River Ministry continues to include construction projects that occur in parallel with the monthly clinics. Past construction projects have included building new churches and a missionary training center, establishing a nutrition centers for under-privileged school children, and repairs to an children's home.

                                    (click for construction animation)

Contact Information

If you are interested in going or interested in donating money, medical supplies, or building supplies (new or used). Please call or write us at the following addresses.

Electronic mail

River Ministry Specific Information:  [email protected]

HPBC Church Web Page www.highlandparkbaptist.org
Webmaster: [email protected]

Church Telephone and Fax

512-453-6603

Church Postal address

5206 Balcones Drive, Austin TX 78731

Send mail to [email protected] with questions or comments about this web site.
Thanks to the people at FortuneCity.com for donating the web space.
Last modified: July 07, 1999