FaithWorks mobilizes Christians to practice compassion and pursue justice. We believe loving our neighbor as Jesus’ commanded means alleviating suffering and working for systemic change. We help folks find ways to do both alongside brothers and sisters they may have never met.
What inspired your organization’s work, and/or how has your mission evolved to meet the needs of the people you serve?
Though FaithWorks began in 2017, a significant moment of evolution came in 2019 when founding coordinator, Marv Knox, began connecting with a handful of ministries along the US-Mexico border serving vulnerable migrants as their numbers increased dramatically. Our founders understood that the border presented unique opportunities for missions and advocacy but could not predict just how critical that work would become. Since 2019 our mission has further evolved to encourage Christians working outside the church. We focus on bringing folks together to love their neighbors across traditional lines of division like denomination and race. Our immigration ministry is still central to what we do. Every month we financially support numerous ministries on the border and help churches connect to that work. We train and empower advocates to raise their voices for justice and systemic change. In addition to immigration, we focus most of our work in the area hunger, racial justice, and Native American concerns.
Can you share a recent and/or significant moment, story, or achievement that reflects the impact of your work?
Those that benefit most directly from FaithWorks are the thousands of migrants who find food, shelter and safety in the ministries that we support. The generosity of our donors and the trusted relationships among pastors and direct service providers on the border in the US and Northern Mexico make that possible. We also engage directly in public policy advocacy. In February of 2025 we gathered and trained over 100 advocates in Austin during the legislative session, many of whom had never met an elected official before. By the end of the day the group had made over 50 visits to make their case for humane treatment of migrants, for public education support, for hungry kids, or against the death penalty. Christians and churches wanting to be part of a thoughtful, inclusive public witness for the common good are also beneficiaries of our work as they, in turn, advocate on behalf of and alongside those too often ignored by those in power. Finally, in June of 2025 we were honored to receive the Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice Trailblazer Award from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Advocating for racial justice is at the heart of so much of what we do, it was an honor to receive this national recognition.
Beyond funding, what’s one meaningful way people can support your organization and its mission?
Beyond funding, people can support FW by being advocates for the communities we serve, like migrants along the border or immigrants in their own town. We encourage supporters to receive our weekly newsletter which is full of ways to engage. We hold annual gatherings like our Compassion & Justice Conference or Advocacy Day that they can attend. They can also join us on a trip to the border and pray for those in our network serving migrants impacted by unjust policies, violence and poverty in their country of origin.