Immigration
Traffickers prey
on vulnerabilities.
An unstable immigration status can create a serious vulnerability in both sex and labor trafficking.
That’s why Rescue Hill is in the process of becoming an accredited Immigration Center, which will be recognized by the Department of Justice, and will enable us to offer affordable immigration assistance to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Meet Our Team of Immigration Specialists.
Ceresa Callender (United States), Rev Steve Pettit (United States), Roberto Matos (Puerto Rico) and Rev Premal Awasarmal (India).
(From left to right)
Rescue Hill Executive Director
Rev Steve Pettit
A note from Steve:
“When we opened up our facility, we knew we wanted to provide immigration resources as part of our resource hub. The U.S. State Department estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year.
Being undocumented creates vulnerabilities for families and individuals, making them targets for traffickers. Our hope is to provide a safe place where people can feel encouraged and empowered to be productive members of society.”
– Pastor Steve Pettit
Immigration Coordinator
Roberto Matos, JD
Roberto has been a supply chain professional in the aerospace industry for thirteen years. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001-2007. He is a member of the Jesucristo Vive Church of the Nazarene, which currently meets in the same building that our compassionate ministry center was birthed out of. Roberto is also a board member at Rescue Hill NCMC and is passionate about Immigration.
Roberto is a graduate of the American InterContinental University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree. Roberto has a beautiful wife named Griselda and two great daughters.
Immigration Specialist
Ceresa Callender
Ceresa Callender is married to the pastor of Lantana Community Church and is currently living in Denton County. She has been a stay-at-home mom to their three children for the last four years. She and her husband have been married for almost 22 years and have been in the ministry that entire time. Their ministry has included youth ministry and lead pastorates. Throughout the years, they have been a part of building two schools and a second church campus, Work-and-Witness trips, and community outreach.
Ceresa has a real burden to help and love people, which is why she was overjoyed when asked to help with Rescue Hill Ministries as an Immigration Specialist. She wants to be able to help people at the heart of each issue or hurdle they are facing by becoming a conduit of grace and safety for those that are in a foreign country looking to make the USA their home.
Immigration Specialist
Premal Awasarmal
Premal and his family came to the US in 2015 to pursue his Master’s in Theological Studies from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. In 2017 their family moved to Texas to reach out to our Asian Indian Community with the message of God’s Love. The Lord has helped Premal, alongside the West Texas District Church of the Nazarene, to pioneer a congregation called “Naya Jeevan (New Life) Church, which is reaching Asian Indian Students who attend the University of Texas Arlington with the Gospel.
Premal’s experience immigrating to America gives him an inside perspective into how immigration works and makes him a wonderful volunteer specialist and member of our team.