Pastor Ortiz adapts to changing immigrant needs

Shifting circumstances never hinder Lorenzo Ortiz from helping hurting people.

Ortiz’s ministry to refugees blossomed in 2018, when they flooded his church in Laredo, Texas. Back then, immigrants seeking asylum in the United States could cross into the country, complete their application and wait out the process. 

But the 2018 immigrant surge overwhelmed the U.S. asylum system, and destitute refugees far from home waited on the streets. Ortiz took immigrants in Laredo into the church where he was pastor, and Fellowship Southwest started providing funds to buy groceries and pay escalating utilities.

Soon, church members grew tired of immigrants sleeping on the pulpit and in their pews and told Ortiz to kick them out. He refused, and the church fired him. For the next three months, Ortiz and his family fed 1,000 immigrants a month from their home kitchen, and Fellowship Southwest continued to support them.

Then the U.S. government issued its Migrant Protection Protocols—or MPP, or the “Remain in Mexico” policy. The government forced immigrants across the border, into Mexico, where they await the long asylum process.

Immigrants dependent upon Ortiz and his family relocated from Laredo, Texas, to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Because of Mexican drug cartels, it’s one of the most dangerous cities in North America. Desperate to secure the refugees safety, Ortiz opened two shelters in Nuevo Laredo and then a third inland in Saltillo. Fellowship Southwest has been grateful for the opportunity to continue to support Ortiz’s ministry. Volunteer contributions have purchased food and supplies, provided rent, obtained new appliances and replaced bald tires. 

Even as border restrictions tightened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ortiz continued to cross into Mexico—pulling immigrants off the streets, providing shelter and transporting them so they would not be vulnerable to cartel kidnappings.

Recently, Ortiz discovered new needs and met them. 

Because of the pandemic, immigrants in Monterrey—137 miles south of Nuevo Laredo—languished. “These families are in Monterrey because of the MPP program,” Ortiz explained. “They called us saying that, because of the virus, they can’t find jobs and have no money to buy groceries. We took 35 bags, and we will try to go once a week to feed different families.”

Immigrant families who live in the shelter near Saltillo, southwest of Monterrey, encountered another problem. “Some of them had to walk miles to go to work,” Ortiz reported. “We were struggling with transportation, and some of the vehicles went broke. So, I spread the word we were looking for bicycles.” A Christian in Laredo who collects and repairs used bicycles joined the effort.

“We hope to have about 10 bicycles,” Ortiz said. “We will share them with whoever needs them. They will be able to ride to work and then return the bike at the end of the day.” Fellowship Southwest will provide support for repairing and maintaining the bicycles.

Ortiz intends to strengthen relationships with refugees through El Buen Samaritano Transportation. He’s also planning a hillside retreat for the refugees. “We’ll be on the farm, with animals. And we’ll take time to pray and get to know each other,” he said.

Closer to home, Ortiz learned about the plight of immigrants about to be deported to their home countries. Realizing they faced long journeys with no food and little money, Ortiz organized volunteers to make fresh tacos for the road, as well as to provide backpacks to carry belongings.

Ortiz represents the compassion, industry, alertness and adaptability of Fellowship Southwest’s network of pastors who minister to immigrants all along the U.S.-Mexico border, observed FSW Coordinator Marv Knox.

“We feel blessed to serve alongside Lorenzo and his fellow pastors,” Knox said. “They are the sacrificial, tireless presence of Christ to immigrants far from home, facing uncertain futures. Every day, they change lives—in the moment and for eternity.”

If you would like to help Fellowship Southwest support Ortiz and other pastors who minister to immigrants on the border, you can contribute to the FSW Immigrant Relief Fund by clicking here.