Live With More Compassion El Paso 2023

El PASO, TEX. – Dictionary.com defines the word compassion as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Live with more what? Compassion? “I’m kind. I’m good. I’m patient.  I’m compassionate!” We often say these things just as the rich young ruler told Jesus when he recited his good attributes in Mark 10:17-30. 

On March 8-11, the Southwestern Union’s annual “Live with More Compassion” outreach, where youth, young adults and adults come together to do mission projects, took place in El Paso. They brought more than 20 young people and thousands of pounds of supplies for the immigrants, homeless, those that have experienced misfortune and those who are struggling. As you walk the streets of El Paso, you may not think that there is a pandemic of misfortune, but as you enter Shelter Row, you soon find out that compassion doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling you experience when you see the amount of need that is there. This year, the week’s activities centered around the theme “small things bring big changes.” Change, whether big or small, is exactly what volunteers tried to create.

Helvis Moody, Southwestern Union youth director, along with the Texico Conference Youth and Young Adults Department, organized several outreach opportunities for anyone interested in participating. Most volunteers were from Southwestern Adventist University, and they led out with music and worship and were involved in the different projects, including park cleanup, clothing closet organization, visiting elderly living centers and providing street ministry to help those in need. Activities were followed by worship experiences that were led by a different guest speaker each day. 

On Sabbath, Jason North, Southwest Region Conference executive secretary, shared a powerful message on the responsibility we have as Christians to move and serve the less fortunate. That same day, more people joined the outreach efforts and more than150 volunteers served in different capacities and volunteered at various missions and resource centers around El Paso. 

Bo and Debra Gendke, who lead the Community Service Department of the Texico Conference, and the Southwestern Union sent a large truck full of supplies to be left in El Paso for area churches to share with the community in the future. 

Please keep the city of El Paso in your prayers. The work of “Living with More Compassion” in the Texico Conference continues!

By Eric Chavez

Youth, Young Adults and Club Ministries Director