For more than a century, Lydia Patterson Institute has been a bridge of hope at the U.S.–Mexico border.
That legacy continues today in the lives of students who persevere through challenges to pursue an education. One such example is the story of two siblings who grew up in a modest house on the outer edges of Ciudad Juárez. Each morning before dawn, they left home together and made the long journey to the international bridge. Some days the crossing into El Paso took more than two hours. They often arrived at school tired and sometimes hungry. Yet their family believed in them, encouraged them, and sacrificed to support their education.
Today, both are in college—the first in their family to reach this milestone—carrying with them the lessons of resilience and hope they learned at LPI. That is the typical story of LPI students: dreamers, fighters, thinkers, doers!
Nearly 98% of our students cross daily from Ciudad Juárez to El Paso to pursue an education rooted in faith, belonging, and opportunity. Every student receives a scholarship—whether partial or full.
And the results speak for themselves. Over the years, countless LPI alumni have gone on to become doctors and nurses, lawyers and public servants, engineers and scientists, pastors and church leaders, teachers and professors, entrepreneurs and business leaders, and nonprofit leaders and community advocates. Their success is proof that an investment in LPI is an investment in leaders who carry their education and faith into families, churches, and communities on both sides of the border.
Among them is Catherine Rivera, who pursued nursing, and Paola Rosales, who continued her studies at Houston-Tillotson University—both powerful reminders of what becomes possible when students are given the chance to learn, grow, and thrive at LPI.
“LPI is not a wealthy school. We don’t have money set aside to cover everything we need,” says Domingo Betancourt, LPI Development Director. “We make do with what we have—stretching every dollar, watching every penny, and being faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We also depend on people: mission ministry groups who volunteer on campus, scholarship students who help with cleaning and maintenance, and staff and teachers who go the extra mile—volunteering their time, mentoring beyond the classroom, and even donating out of their own pockets. Everyone does their part, and together we keep the mission alive. The truth is—we depend on donations, volunteers, and prayers. It is only through this shared effort that LPI continues to thrive.”
Your support makes this possible. It sustains over $800,000 in annual scholarships, provides meals for hungry students, equips teachers with tools for excellence, strengthens chapel and leadership programs that form servant leaders, and supports key areas of campus life:
Technology & Tools
Facilities & Safety
Meals & Nutrition
Athletics & Arts
Faculty & Leadership
General Ministry Support
Every gift matters. A foundation grant or church offering may sustain dozens of scholarships. An individual gift of any size ensures that no student is turned away. Even $10 a month can provide books, uniforms, or transportation for students who might otherwise struggle to continue their studies.
Why does LPI matter? Because in a world where borders too often divide, LPI remains a bridge where faith and knowledge meet—just as it has for more than 100 years. With your support, we will continue raising up generations of leaders who embody love, justice, and hope.
Join us in this mission. Become a bridge builder. Your gift today helps the next student cross toward college, calling, and Christ.
Ways to Give
Online: Scan the QR code
Text: Text DONATE to 915-292-2200
Mail: Lydia Patterson Institute, 517 S. Florence St., El Paso, TX 79901
DAFs, Tribute Gifts, Alumni & Legacy Giving, Stocks, Corporate & Foundation Gifts, Real Estate & In-Kind Gifts