I’m in El Paso, Texas, for the annual meeting of the South Central Jurisdiction’s Mission Council, the body that serves on behalf of the Jurisdictional Conference especially in the years between that group’s quadrennial meeting.
The Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI)has served as a very welcoming and gracious host for our meeting. LPI deserved to be better known by you.
Lydia Patterson was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in downtown El Paso when God moved her to being a ministry to the children of south El Paso at a time of unrest across the border. At her death, Mr. Patterson donated $75,000 to begin a school in her memory.
LPI has served the children and youth of South El Paso and Cuidad Juarez since 1913. They currently have over 400 students enrolled, over 70% of whom come across the border everyday for school. Over half of those who make this trek, often having to walk several miles, are U.S. citizens.
Over 95% of LPI’s graduates attend college, and alumni of LPI are currently attending (among others) 25 different colleges and universities that are related to the United Methodist Church.
Cuidad Juarez is an extremely dangerous place right now, so, like that time a century or so ago that Lydia Patterson first felt God tug her heart towards these children, today LPI needs our support. You may contact them today.
