About Us
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118
PAST
1972: The Catholic Charismatic Renewal began in the late 1960’s and reached El Paso in the early 1970’s. A few people who had experienced a personal Pentecost met in a home in El Paso’s Mission Valley to seek the Lord about beginning a weekly prayer meeting where other Catholics could share the Pentecostal gifts and graces and remain authentically Catholic.
1972-1993: The prayer meeting developed into a large inter-parochial group of hundreds, meeting in many different locations from a small hall at a monastery to a Catholic school cafeteria, to the larger halls of two different parishes. In 1993, the group, now a non-profit 501-c-3 religious and charitable organization incorporated as Open Arms Community of El Paso, purchased an old adobe dance hall at 8210 North Loop Drive. We converted the Felipe Duran Hall, Home of Ranchero Dances, wedding parties and other celebrations, to a place of prayer and praise. The former saloon was converted to our prayer chapel. Our ministries and outreaches had found a home: Centro Santa Fe, Open Arms Center.
1993-2020: Prayer meetings and Bible Studies in Spanish and English have continued. The Lord has blessed the ministry to the poor. Our Food Bank and Aid to the Needy grew to support over 800 families each month. The center’s main activities during this period were in support of the needy in El Paso. Many volunteers came forward to help with the hauling and bagging of food for the poor and to help with the weekly distributions of groceries. Volunteers also sorted donations of clothes and household goods that pour in from many generous donors, preparing some for gifting to needy families and others for our thrift shop which helps fund the purchase of food as well as operating costs. Monetary donations are always welcome. Read more on our Works of Mercy page. During this period, we acquired a large piece of property next door to the Center (12 Acres). The plan was to build the Holy Spirit Retreat and Renewal Center. Many supporters are needed for this long-term project. Read more on the Holy Spirit Retreat & Renewal Center page.
PRESENT
2020-2024: The Covid pandemic had a dramatic effect on our ministry. We had to shut down most of our activities during Covid and have had to make major changes going forward. The main focus is on the prayer meetings and evangelization through “Life in the Spirit” series we offer for those new to the charismatic movement. We have a major conference scheduled for October, read more on our conference page. The bookstore has been converted to a lending library. The thrift store continues, and we have large parking lot garage sales at least twice a year. The food bank has been downsized since the El Pasoans Fighting hunger no longer provide for discount food purchases; we also do not have sufficient volunteers to support this type of effort. For most families we provide referral services to the Food Bank. We focused on 20 families that are shut-ins and still need food. Weekly we deliver the food and provide prayer and conversation for the families and individuals that are homebound. We continue to pray for guidance on the Retreat Center as it has been on hold since 2018 due to legal issues.
FUTURE
Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38
The need for repentance and evangelization in our nation has never been greater. Many people are depressed, suicides are increasing. Drug usage has also claimed so many lives. Economic conditions for so many make it hard to provide for their families. We pray for our country, but the answer is not government. Only in the Lord can our nation be healed and the world converted in Christ. We hear this Calling and will do all we can to help all those who enter our building. We truly want to welcome all with “Open Arms”. The Lord is calling you! He loves you and wants to have a personal love relationship with you. May the Lord’s will be done and may he bless you and your family.
New volunteers are always welcome! Contact us to request more information or call us at (915) 595-0589. Or better yet, stop by and join us for a prayer meeting and see first-hand what the Lord is doing in El Paso.
