Stories to inspire, challenge and educate.

To find stories related to FSW’s four priorities, click on the category below.

Cameron Vickrey Cameron Vickrey

What does this election mean for FSW?

Fellowship Southwest does not and will not endorse or oppose any political candidate for office. However, elections have consequences, and we must now face the reality that the winner of the presidential election built his campaign on the backs of those whom we love and serve. More than that, President-elect Trump has made racists, xenophobic, and hateful lies about immigrants the very cornerstone of his political career. The prospect of his administration fills us with dread.

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Cameron Vickrey Cameron Vickrey

Ama a tu prójimo con tu voto

Puede ser que no necesitemos recordarte que hoy es el día de las elecciones, y como organización comprometida con la justicia social, reconocemos que las elecciones tienen un impacto social.

Lo más probable es que ya hayas votado, pero si no lo has hecho, permítenos animarte y mostrar el amor a tu prójimo por medio de tu voto. En lugar de preguntar como las políticas nos benefician personalmente o cómo nuestros puntos de vista particulares podrían ser avanzados, tal vez deberíamos considerar ¿si aquellos a quienes elegiremos promoverán políticas que alimenten a los hambrientos, vistan a los desnudos, curen a los enfermos, reciban al forastero, consuelen al prisionero o cuiden a la viuda o al huérfano?

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Cameron Vickrey Cameron Vickrey

Love Your Neighbor with Your Vote

We don’t need to remind you that today is election day, but as an organization committed to perusing justice, we know elections have consequences.

Most likely you have already voted, but if not, let us urge you to love your neighbor with your vote. Rather than wondering how policies might personally benefit ourselves, or how our particular viewpoints might be advanced, perhaps we should consider if those we elect will promote policies that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, welcome the stranger, comfort the prisoner or care for the widow or orphan.

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IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey

How Kris Kristofferson Brings Comfort to Migrants

If you're a music fan, you've been mourning the passing last weekend of Kris Kristofferson. The singer, songwriter and actor lived a life so remarkable it reads like fiction. In addition to his well known accomplishments in the arts, he was also a Rhodes scholar who studied at Oxford, an Army Ranger, a helicopter pilot, a college football player, and as a young man had such a promising future as a boxer he was in Sports Illustrated.

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Policy, IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey Policy, IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey

Immigration & Welcome, Past & Present

A few weeks ago my wife, Deborah and I took our daughter on her first trip to New York City to celebrate her tenth birthday. Though I’d been to the city many times before, almost every other trip was short and tied to work or another occasion. With more free time and my daughter in tow, I was determined to take a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I’m so very glad we did.

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Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

On Political Violence

We should all unequivocally denounce political violence. In doing so, it is tempting to claim that killing political leaders is un-American, to believe we are beyond such atrocities more common in developing nations and young democracies. History teaches this is not the case.

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Piedras Negras, Hunger Cameron Vickrey Piedras Negras, Hunger Cameron Vickrey

Stories from Piedras Negras

Over Memorial Day weekend, First Baptist Austin made a second annual trip to work alongside Primera Iglesia Bautista Piedras Negras and their ministry to migrants waiting to cross the border. We provided a day of fun for the almost 40 children staying in their two shelters, and worked to rehab and improve the main shelter downtown by installing fans, doing some light plumbing projects, and a fresh coat of paint. On Sunday First Austin members cooked lunch for the 250+ worshipers at First Piedras Negras to thank them for their incredible ministry of hospitality. Of the many memorable moments, these two will stick with me.

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Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

A Victory at the Supreme Court

Yesterday, in a 7-2 decision the Supreme Court told payday lenders to take a hike.

Ok, maybe not exactly, but that’s what it felt like. After working for reform for almost 15 years such clear victories have been few and far between and yesterday, for me, was a day for celebration.

A solid majority of the court ruled that the way Congress chose to fund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is not unconstitutional. That means the CFPB can continue their mission of looking out for American consumers and regulating folks like predatory lenders.

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IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey

Immigrants find no escape from exploitation

Migrants from Latin and South America are frequently the victims of exploitation and extortion in their home countries or along their journeys north. Unfortunately it doesn’t get much better for some once they get here. Instead of cartels, they face unjust corporations. Nowhere is there a better microcosm of multifaceted immigrant exploitation than in Colony Ridge.

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IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey

A dangerous disconnect

The conversation in Austin seems so very far from the realities of those making their way to our southern border.

Last week, as elected officials at the Capitol were debating further militarizing the border and passing punitive policies hoping to deter migrants, Fellowship Southwest was coordinating teams of volunteers to offer those same neighbors a warm welcome, and to work alongside our partners who do so every day.

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IMMIGRATION, spanish Cameron Vickrey IMMIGRATION, spanish Cameron Vickrey

Trampas para migrantes

Imagine que tratar de cruzar hileras de alambre de púas fuera más seguro que quedarse en casa.
Imagine que el sumergirse en un río embravecido con su bebé les ofreciera una mejor oportunidad de sobrevivir que el regresar a su país.

Ahora imagine que aquellos que toman tales decisiones fueran blancos y hablaran inglés. ¿Podría usted imaginar que se pusieran en efecto las actuales políticas y tácticas del Gobernador Abbott que resultan en más muertes innecesarias?

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IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey IMMIGRATION Cameron Vickrey

Migrant traps

Imagine that trying to cross rows of razor wire was safer than staying at home. 

Imagine that plunging into a raging river with your toddler offered them better odds of survival than going back to your country. 

Now imagine if those making such choices were white and spoke English. Could you imagine Governor Abbott continuing policies and tactics that result in more unnecessary deaths?

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Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

Texas Advocacy Update

Fellowship Southwest is active at the Capitol in Austin during this legislative session. This week we have registered support or opposition to bills related to public education, immigration, and predatory lending. We most often do our work in coalition with others. For a list of coalitions and organizations we pay attention to, see last week’s newsletter.

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Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

How and why Fellowship Southwest engages in advocacy (with updates on Texas Legislature)

Fellowship Southwest is committed to pursuing justice and equipping others to do the same. We feel called to use our voice, influence and privilege to advocate alongside, and on behalf of, those who are too often ignored or disempowered. We’re not out to advance a narrow agenda but to promote the common good. It is one way we love our neighbors.

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Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Social Justice, Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

Texas leaders divert dollars and discourage public input

When our family moved to Dripping Springs, Texas, a little over a year ago, the reputation of the local public schools was a big factor. Though we mourn the lack of diversity as compared to our school in Georgia, so far we’ve had a mostly excellent experience.

Imagine my surprise then when I clicked on the Texas Monthly cover article from March, “The Campaign to Sabotage Texas’s Public Schools,” and the first photo of a school was my kid’s elementary school.

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Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey Miscellaneous Cameron Vickrey

Reflecting on 2022

As the year ends it is appropriate to reflect on where Fellowship Southwest has been and what we’ve accomplished thanks to your support and our numerous partners. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to lead this organization, proud of the work we’ve done, and believe our best is yet to come.

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Social Justice Cameron Vickrey Social Justice Cameron Vickrey

Church in Fort Worth sets example for how to advocate for justice

Fellowship Southwest supporting congregation Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, is doing impactful, courageous, and faithful advocacy we think you should know about. Take a few moments to read this in-depth article from Baptist News Global about Broadway’s Justice Committee and their local advocacy work. The church has been a leader in the city calling for improved conditions and procedures at the Tarrant County Jail and for an independent investigation into why 39 inmates have died since 2019.

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Cameron Vickrey Cameron Vickrey

Thankful for Thanksgiving

We’re at the hanging stuff on the walls phase at our new house in Drippings Springs. Yes, finally. It has been a busy fall. This week I hung a sign above our kitchen table that reads “Gather Here with Grateful Hearts”

Consider this newsletter column a grateful gathering.

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