In 2022, Center City Church began a partnership with Medical Campus Outreach (MCO) from Augusta, GA and Juvenal Gonzalez, a church planting pastor in Tijuana. This summer marks our fourth trip partnering together to run medical clinics and do children and sports ministry in Tijuana.
Medical Campus Outreach (MCO) is a Christian ministry on the campus of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. MCO seeks to engage healthcare students with the gospel through outreach events, weekly Bible studies, and discipleship groups. MCO also seeks to help students learn to incorporate their faith into work by training alongside Christian healthcare providers and partnering with a local church on international medical mission trips. MCO desires to raise up a generation of healthcare workers that provide excellent care and incorporate their faith in the practice of medicine both in the US and abroad.
In Tijuana, we plan to hold 4.5 days of clinic to provide general healthcare of both acute and chronic problems for children, adults, and the elderly. Our care will include basic laboratory and diagnostic testing as well as prescription medications and prescribing glasses. In suffering, chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and loss (amongst many others) there are needs that modern medicine cannot solely meet and can only be met fully with the hope of Jesus. Our desire is to partner with the local church in Tijuana so that this is an extension of the ways they already love and serve their local community.
For the team this summer, we don't just need healthcare workers. We need people who are willing to use their hearts and their hands to serve the Lord. This includes Spanish translators, people to engage teens and adults through sports like soccer or basketball, people to do games and art with children in a VBS model, people willing to share their faith and pray, non medical people willing to serve in triage, pharmacy, glasses, or lab, and people who come willing to serve the Lord in whatever way He leads.
In Tijuana, we will be staying at a Christian mission house, Centro de Shalom, specifically designed for mission trips. Lodging is dormitory style with bunk beds and camp style bathrooms. The mission house is fenced with security measures, the water for cooking and drinking is all purified, and the house is wired with standard US electrical outlets. There is no A/C, but there are fans.
While in Mexico, we will have a time of worship in the morning, eat breakfast at Centro de Shalom, and then head out to our clinic sites. In the evenings, we will eat dinner at Centro de Shalom, and then have a time for worship, small groups, or fellowship. Centro de Shalom has great facilities to spread out, play games, and have personal time with the Lord.
After 4.5 days of clinic, we will return to the US in the evening of Thursday, July 10th.
We strongly hope you will consider joining us on the missions trip to Tijuana this summer! It takes a large team to effectively run medical clinics to serve the physical needs of the people we see and care for them while they wait. We cannot see as many people without help! In the past, God has used conversations in clinic to cause people to want to investigate faith in God and ultimately know and follow Him after continuing to study His Word with the local church. This trip gives a unique perspective of God's church as you spend time with believers from San Diego, Augusta, and Tijuana. It is a special thing to worship, work, and live in one community together. Historically, this trip provides a better way for you to know God personally, forms deep, longstanding friendships, and gives refreshment as you return to your regular place of life and work. Simply put, it's a lot of fun!
FAQS
What are the dates? July 6-10th, 2025
What is the cost? $350. This includes ground transportation, lodging, meals, the medications we prescribe to patients, the cartridges we use for laboratory testing, translators, etc. Historically, many raise support to cover some/all of their costs. There will be a meeting on fundraising on May 18th after church to help you in this process.
Is there a special rate for those who serve as translators? Yes, if you apply to the trip and commit to translate all 4.5 days of clinic before April 20th, we pass along the savings of not having to hire local translators in Mexico. The discounted rate is $150 for your trip costs.
When do I have to apply by? Applications for the trip close May 4, 2025, or when trip spots fill.
What happens after I apply? You should receive a response to your application on or before May 5th. Once you receive an acceptance email, you will be prompted to pay a $50 deposit that is nonrefundable. This reserves your spot on the team.
Is there required training? We will have an informational meeting for anyone interested in hearing more details about the trip April 27th after service at Center City. After the team is determined, we will have a meeting May 18th after church to review trip details and give you information for fundraising. On Saturday June 7th, we will have pre-field training via zoom with the Augusta team where we will prepare you to serve in Tijuana and work throughout the clinic sites.
Is Tijuana safe? All international trips have inherent safety risks; however, we specifically partner with local church leaders who lead the logistics of our trip in Tijuana. They accompany us to each clinic site and our downtime and meals are only spent at Centro de Shalom. The team leaders, Tom and Lauren Wieme, bring their teenage daughters on this trip and think for the team's safety as they think for their own children.