churchmexico

Building Relationships Through Faith and Service: Jim Paxton's Journey with Church Mexico

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:50:24 GMT

For Jim Paxton, a retired Marine, husband, father, and Elder at the Rock Church in Yuma , Arizona, service is not only a calling but also foundational to his faith. Recently, his relationship with Church Mexico has deepened that commitment in ways he hadn’t anticipated—connecting faith, community, and cross-cultural friendships just minutes from his doorstep.

In describing his passion for service and how it translates to his leadership role with the Rock Church, Jim is reminded of the Great Commission - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20)” The Rock’s mission is to help people to meet, know, and love Jesus. According to Jim, the Church provides countless opportunities for its followers to act on this charge, from homeless ministries to local elementary school programs like the “Good News Club” and “Power Pack Ministries.

With the Rock’s proximity to the border and its members' rich cross-cultural heritage, mission trip opportunities in Mexico are a consistent feature of the Church’s service. A regular participant in the Rock’s semi-annual week-long trip to an orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Baja, Jim has long wanted to expand the Rock’s Mexico-based missions. “The fact that we live here so close to Mexico and have so few opportunities to live out the great commission is something I feel called to change.”

Following a trip in early 2023, Jim shared his desire to deepen the Rock’s mission field in Mexico with the Baja Mission Coordinator, Rudy Olivas. “I had queried Rudy about mission opportunities right here, closer to home,” Jim explained. Rudy suggested connecting with his long-time friend Pastor David Power of Church Mexico, knowing their strong presence just across the border in San Luis.

After an introductory meeting, Jim’s heart was stirred by Church Mexico’s genuine relationships in San Luis, a community just across the Mexican border. It was clear that Church Mexico offered an opportunity for the Rock Church to expand its mission field in a more intimate, local, and cost-effective way. “We had a lot of people who wanted to do more mission trips; Spanish speakers and members who grew up in Mexico; and people with a general understanding of the need in Northern Mexico communities. Church Mexico presented a solution to help us turn these ingredients into action by bridging their local relationship and understanding of the needs, struggles, and opportunities of their congregations in northern Mexico with the Rock’s desire to serve. “It was something that I and others at the Rock Church were very excited about.”

“David called me out of the blue a few months later and said, ‘Hey Jim, we've got an opportunity to have maybe some of your folks come down here and do some small construction. Is that something you're interested in? I really appreciate the fact that he contacted me. We had established a relationship, and we both knew the opportunity was out there, but sometimes life causes us to get caught up in other things. When David followed up on it, that was huge because it was [confirmation of] something that had been in my and others' hearts

Soon after, Church Mexico hosted Jim and a team from the Rock Church for their first collaborative effort: a simple, one-day construction project building an enclosure for a washer and dryer at La Iglesia en San Luis. “That first trip was eye-opening,” Jim recalls. “We drove just twenty minutes across the border, spent the day working closely with the local community, and by evening, we were back home. Even though it was just a simple construction project, the connection and ease David provided made an immediate impression. It felt seamless, personal—there was a clear sense of purpose. ”

That modest beginning sparked enthusiasm among Jim and the Rock Church volunteers, who immediately began planning a second trip to San Luis for the following year. In the midst of planning their next visit to San Luis, David reached out with a unique opportunity for the Rock to deepen their mission outreach to youth in northern Mexico. He shared with Jim the recent success of their rescuing girls program - a ministry dedicated to equipping young women with the tools to build Godly relationships, resist abuse, and embrace their identity in Christ - and Church Mexico’s desire to extend a similar faith-based leadership ministry to young men. “I quickly thought of our Valor Program, which is designed to develop young men’s grit, character, and life skills so that they can best serve and lead their families, community, and country.

David immediately understood how powerful Valor could be for youth of the congregations Church Mexico was working to uplift, too,” Jim reflected . Together, David and Jim organized a team from the Rock to deliver the Valor program to young men from La Iglesia Bautista Betel in Los Algodones, La Iglesia en San Luis in San Luis Rio Colorado, La Iglesia Nuevo Jerusalen in San Luis Rio Colorado, and La Iglesia Fe y Esperanza in Ciudad Morelos (Cuervos). That trip solidified the Rock’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with Church Mexico. “ Bringing this program to San Luis was incredibly rewarding, Jim shared. The experience wasn't just about lending a hand—it was about mentoring and investing deeply in the community. It showed us that faith-based mentorship translates powerfully across cultural lines.”

Jim's growing relationship with Church Mexico soon expanded beyond service trips and mentorship. In January of 2025, He was invited to Church Mexico’s community-building event known affectionately as "Tamale Night." There, hearing stories of transformation from local families and scholarship recipients impacted by Church Mexico’s King’s Kids program , Jim recognized the depth of Church Mexico’s ministry. “ Hearing firsthand testimonies of how education and support genuinely changed lives reminded me exactly why these partnerships matter. It was deeply inspiring.”

Just a month later, Jim and Pastor David were back on the road for a three-day trip to San Luis in February 2025 to support Pastor Juan and Claudia Gomez's growing congregation at La Iglesia Fe y Esperanza in Baja by expanding the worship facility from 75 to 125 seats, repair infrastructure, and beautify community spaces with murals. Jim credits Church Mexico’s coordination of the final planning phases for the trip as a major factor in the success of the experience. “David helped to coordinate a site visit down to Cuervos in late January, with Rock leaders, an engineer from Washington, and other stakeholders - and that was huge.” “We knew the expansion of the congregation’s worship space was a major undertaking, but we also want to make sure we could support as many of Pastor Juan and La Iglesia Fe y Esperanza's needs as possible with the right volunteers.

Beyond physical construction, Church Mexico provided logistical ease and local insight that made this ambitious project possible. Jim emphasized the crucial role David and his team played. “David made it so easy. He’s more than a connector—he understands the local pastors and the community's actual needs. He made sure everything we did was meaningful and impactful. It was awesome, a huge blessing.”

Now, looking to the future, Jim sees even greater opportunities for ongoing engagement. Inspired by the proximity and depth of the relationship, he envisions regular trips - smaller but frequent visits - allowing the Rock Church’s youth and families to consistently engage with the community in San Luis. “ What Church Mexico offers is unique. It's personal, accessible, and deeply relational. This isn't just another mission trip—this is genuine partnership and mutual growth,” Jim concluded.

Reflecting on this journey—from their first small project to the recent church expansion—Jim is convinced of Church Mexico’s unique value among mission organizations. “It’s deeply relational and incredibly accessible,” he emphasizes. “We’re not just visitors; we're genuine partners. It's a different kind of mission work—rooted authentically in Christ-like relationship building.”

For churches considering similar outreach , Jim’s experience provides a compelling testament to Church Mexico’s unique model: practical service opportunities, deep local connections, and a profound spiritual impact, all just a short drive away.

Every Month, Every Ministry, Every Mile - 2024 Year in Review

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:30:03 GMT

Rooted in Faith, Flourishing in Christ

At the heart of everything we do is a simple but profound mission: to lead others to saving faith in Jesus and help them grow in their relationship with Him. Discipleship begins with sharing the Good News, and through the Local Churches we support, this mission is woven into every ministry. Every outreach program we undertake, from building a Medical Clinic to evangelism on the soccer field, is a step toward this goal. Whether it’s training pastors to share the Gospel, equipping leaders to disciple youth, or creating safe spaces for vulnerable children, every ministry is designed to embody the spirit of lifestyle evangelism—being ready to share the Good News everywhere we go.

The work of Church Mexico in 2024 reflects the power of being firmly rooted in faith. This year, we witnessed God’s transformative power across Northern Mexico through church planting, discipleship, and holistic community support. His harvest was plentiful, and the seeds you helped plant in previous years are flourishing into thriving ministries and transformed lives.

Here’s what God accomplished through your prayers and support this year:

The Launch of Cristo Vive in Ejido Pachuca: Under Pastor Juan’s leadership, a thriving new congregation is bringing hope to a once-overlooked community. Weekly Bible studies, small groups, and Sunday services have sparked spiritual renewal, with families finding salvation and lives transformed.

Expansion of Rescuing Girls & Men of Valor: Through impactful events like “Baking, Boyfriends, and Boundaries” and “Hombres de Valor,” we equipped over 150 youth with tools to build Godly relationships, resist abuse, and embrace their identity in Christ.

Completion of the San Luis Security Fence: This project has made our Discipleship Training Base a safe, welcoming haven for ministry, youth programs, and missionary teams, offering protection and peace for all who gather there.

Construction of New Eye Exam Room and Supplying New Dental Clinic: With the help of U.S. medical professionals, we provided free healthcare to dozens of families, demonstrating the love of Christ in practical, life-changing ways.

New Church Plants & Faith Leaders: O ur Biblical Relational Discipleship program continues to equip pastors and leaders in Baja California and Sonora, strengthening the foundation of each church we plant.

Continued Education Access Vulnerable Youth: Programs like King’s Kids provide a safe space for children to learn, grow, and thrive. With your support, we supplied school sponsorships, educational materials, computer access, and mentorship that helped dozens of students succeed this year.

These milestones remind us that every ministry matters, and every mile traveled brings us closer to spreading God’s Kingdom. Every ministry we run, every moment to share Christ’s word, and every church we plant represents a step of faith in God’s mission. But the work doesn’t stop with planting; it requires nurturing, tending, and watering to help these churches thrive.

Your ongoing support enables us to reach even more communities, share the love of Christ, and plant churches that serve as beacons of hope. Together, we can grow His Kingdom in Northern Mexico and beyond. Will you join us in making an eternal difference?

Be part of a mission rooted in faith and flourishing in Christ. Join us today as a recurring donor and make an eternal impact.

With your prayers and partnership, we are confident that God will lead us to even greater victories in the year ahead. May you and your loved ones be blessed this holiday season and always.

With heartfelt thanks and blessings,

The Church Mexico Team

Welcome Back Keele!

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:46:30 GMT

From "Intern" To Full Time Missionary!

Our mission to build up the Church in Northern Mexico has always come with its challenges, and we know it likely always will. As we're called to be "in the world but not of the world," our team works hard to bridge language barriers and cultural differences while setting a strong example for our growing Church community.

Building Safety, Security, & Hope

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:04:11 GMT

Campus Wall Campaign

At Church Mexico, we believe that our campus is more than just a place for worship—it's a safe haven for our congregation and the community of San Luis. We serve children, families, and individuals throughout the week, offering spiritual support, fellowship, and vital resources. However, to continue providing this safe and welcoming environment, we need your help.

We are in the final stages of constructing a wall around our property to ensure the safety of everyone who steps onto our campus. This wall isn't just about protecting buildings and grounds; it's about safeguarding the children, families, and congregation members who visit us. With every service, community event, and outreach initiative, their safety is our top priority.

In addition to security, this wall symbolizes our commitment to presenting ourselves as a strong and trusted presence in the community of San Luis. We want everyone who approaches our church to feel confident in their safety and see our campus as a place of peace and hope.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Mexico...In Jesus' Name!

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:45:49 GMT

If you're interested in helping to Expand the work Church Mexico is undertaking to fight sexual abuse, please share or give through the links below to join us in this Gospel work.

Give to Church Mexico's Gospel Work

In 2023, Church Mexico hosted our first event dedicated to preventing sexual abuse at our church building in San Luis. We worked with 16 girls from our church and from churches in the region during a weekend dedicated to helping them build community amongst themselves, and preparing them to recognize dangerous situations that could lead to abuse or trafficking.

On August 23, 2024, we gathered again for the same purpose - this time joined by more than 100 men, women, and children from the northern border region between Mexicali, Baja California and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora . During the opening night of the weekend, we talked openly about the taboo subject of sexual abuse to minors and the warning signs of human trafficking. The weekend continued with dedicated service to the 24 girls in attendance - nearly 50% more participants than in 2023.

To continue carrying this torch forward, we met with the Pastors and their wives in Mexico in early August to identify how we can support them as they fight trafficking in their immediate communities. Reflecting on our August event, many of the church leaders were surprised to have heard their youth talk openly about God's plan for their lives. Because sexual abuse is such an uncomfortable topic for any community, the pastors we're working with have been deeply encouraged by Church Mexico taking the initiative to combat this grotesque reality.

Our church partners are helping to keep the topic on the forefront and plan to lead additional conversations within their services, youth groups and Sunday school classes. Our team will be providing these Godly leaders with direction and support as they work with the boys and young men in their congregations to develop their character according to God's Will and Word.

We'll be meeting with the Pastors and their wives again in September to go over some first steps they can take and provide materials for these churches to lead their own small group discussions.

This work is deeply important to our team, as we know that children are precious to the Lord (Matthew 18:2-7,10), and we believe that investing in protecting the young lives around us is the best way to ensure the future of the Gospel work taking place every day in Mexico.

The "Gospel" is not just the Good News that Jesus came, died for our sins, rose again, ascended to heaven and prepares a way to Eternal Life. The Good News, the Gospel, ALSO means what Jesus said in John 10:10, "I came that you might have life, and life more abundantly."

To quote Pastor Bill's favorite verse, the Lord says through Isaiah:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope."

The Gospel is that Jesus Loves us, Cares for us, wants the Best for us. He says over and over and over again: "I am with you, do NOT be Afraid! Do not Fear!"

Security, Care, Love, Safety, Protection. Life, healthy life, even abundant life. That's what we want these Girls to know and to experience here, now, and forever, because: We believe that's what GOD wants for them! And He sends us into the darkness to do His will on earth as it is in Heaven...

Far too many girls live in danger, in fear, in environments where they are taken advantage of and abused. God is against that, and so we as the Church are against that.

We have already started to work on more ways to expand our efforts throughout Northern Mexico, but we can’t do this life-changing and life-SAVING work alone . Your support is crucial in expanding this initiative and reaching more churches that are ready to fight trafficking for their congregations.

We Invite YOU to Fight the Good Fight with us, in Jesus' Mighty Name!

Pressing On,

Pastor David & the Church Mexico Team

King's Kids Ministry Opening Doors for Mexico's Youth

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 14:48:06 GMT

King's Kids Ministry Opening Doors for Mexico's Youth

From the Church Mexico Board of Directors

Pastor Rolando and Wife Patty with the 3 High School Graduates Alexia, Yael and Johan. All 3 Graduates received help through our King's Kids ministry, and were also sponsored for their public school education. If not for everyone involved in the King's Kids Ministry, both through their local Church and Church Mexico's support, it would have been extremely difficult if not impossible for their parents to provide the necessary finances and after school support for their school supplies, tuition and and the end graduations expenses.

Our Intern Keele with Alexia and her friend Laisha

The Latest News from Church Mexico

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 22:34:39 GMT

Colorado Mission Trip

They used all of the funds they had raised for the trip, but in faith they decided to purchase the remaining materials so our friend Paco could weld the main gate into place after their departure. We are so grateful for this remarkable team!

Eye & Vision Clinics

BRD Training

Clean Comedy Night - Event Report

Kids Kingdom Ministry - 3 Across the Graduation Stage

Upcoming Mission Needs

We're in need of $9,500 to meet the expenses for the final materials to finish our facility’s fence which has been so beautifully launched by our friends from Colorado. We are praying that the Lord would place it on the hearts of our community members to help us cover these costs. You can donate through the form below, or by texting “CHURCHMEXICO” to 26989.

We're also actively seeking teams to come and help us continue building the fence! If you have a heart to serve in Mexico and would like to bring a team down from your church, please call Pastor Bill: (303) 667-7148 or submit an interest form on our new website.

Taking the Church to the Streets of Mexico

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:56:11 GMT

Taking The Lord's Kingdom to the Streets

Church Mexico Team 4/2024

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:36:58 GMT

Through the work of our hands and the sweat from our brows, we're anchoring the The Lord's Kingdom in Northern Mexico.

Inaugural Soccer Camp

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:06:00 GMT

First Soccer Camp in San Luis

Impacting Real Lives

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:04:01 GMT

Member Testimonial

Sports Ministry in Action

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:01:57 GMT

Soccer Outreach in Northern Mexico

Report from Church Mexico's Clean Comedy Night

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 20:56:35 GMT

Thank you to all who joined us at Clean Comedy Night!

We are so grateful to each and every volunteer, board member, and (of course) comedian that dedicated their time to making our first Clean Comedy Night a success! This wonderful event was filled with laughter, joy, and a strong sense of community, all in support of our mission to spread the light of the Gospel in Mexico.

We are truly blessed and grateful for your participation and generous contributions. Thanks to the support of attendees and donors, we were able to raise $3,500 at this event! These funds will significantly aid our efforts in bringing hope and the message of God's love to the people of Mexico.

If you missed this special evening, don't worry - we'll be sharing clips in the coming weeks, so you'll still have plenty of opportunity to laugh with us ! A special thank-you goes to Liz Toma, Kevin Lyons, and Kerry Wells for sharing their humor and talent with the audience.

May the Lord bless you and keep you until next time,

The Church Mexico Team

KING'S KIDS GO TO THE ZOO!

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 17:08:02 GMT

Lions, Tigers, and Bears, oh, my! I had the privilege of going with my beloved Mexican church family to the zoo during the kids’ spring break! We piled into two vehicles early Tuesday, April 2nd, and were on our way to Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, which was about an hour or so away. Now, you may think of two vehicles, maybe 10-16 people? No way! We had 25 stuffed into our 15-passenger van and 12 into a mini van, with 15 more people meeting us at the zoo. We were squished in like sardines but oh so happy. When we arrived at the zoo, my emotions were ecstatic!

Many of the children and even the parents had never been to the zoo before and it was a beautiful sight for me to see. The pure joy of all that were there for a fun day filled my heart to overflowing! We journeyed through the zoo to find a place to leave our things, and that would fit our group of 50! We had a little devotional and then dispersed. Half the group decided to go take a ride on the little train and it was awesome!! Seeing the animals from the train but also how much fun the kids (and even parents ) were having is indescribable. The zoo had paddleboats, a big pond, a farm animal petting zoo, and much more! We ended our day with a refreshing ice cream and made our way home. Everyone was exhausted but oh so grateful for everything they were able to experience!

So thank you! For your prayers, and support and to help make this trip happen! You are changing kids, and their parents live down here in Mexico!

Con Mucho Amor,

Keele

April Newsletter 2024

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:37:36 GMT

I love it when the Lord reveals and confirms His will and purposes over and over again…

Many are discovering the profound joy in establishing a lasting legacy of generosity by continuing to support the work of the Lord on earth while they are rejoicing in heaven! Through thoughtful estate planning, contributions to the ministry, such as property deeds, stocks, bonds, and other valuable assets, continue to make a difference long after you’ve graduated from this world.

Our friend Ann, a longtime supporter of the ministry, recently contacted us to inquire how she could share a portion of her investment portfolio to support the work of the Lord. Ann's generosity was sparked upon learning about the needs of our King’s Kids after-school ministry. Ready to make an immediate impact, she connected Church Mexico to her friends at SilverPineWealth.com, a brokerage firm that supports Church Planting and Mission work.

Within just a few days, we purchased school materials, supplies, computer paper, and toner and paid the Internet bill! Our King’s Kids are now fully supplied and stocked for the entire Spring semester.

While we were working on those transactions, we were planning to publicly announce our new ability to receive investment, estate, and inheritance assets as donations when all of a sudden… one of our other friends, Frank in Phoenix, approached us and announced that his father passed away and that they wanted to give a gift to support our missions work out of their inheritance! So what a huge blessing it was to receive this unexpected gift, and what an honor it was to have received in remembrance of Frank’s dad in order to help change these kids' lives a world away.

Your Estate Planning & Investment Gifts

With that said, we want to invite you to consider planning and giving in this way. Do you have some unused property? Stocks or bonds? An extra vehicle or boat just sitting there and not being used? We are now able to receive those as contributions and turn them into funds to be used to further the Gospel, keep kids off the street, make disciples, and plant Churches.

UPDATE FROM CHURCH MEXICO AND THE CHURCH AT SAN LUIS DEC 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:41:28 GMT

When you give to Church Mexico, this is what you're giving to.

The following is a story of Alexia, written by Brock Blasdell, a Phoenix Gazette writer who heard her story and decided to investigate and do an interview with her. Alexia is one of 34 children and teens that we are investing our lives into, and the result is: their lives are being Forever changed!

It's not just an education we're helping to provide through sponsorships and our after school ministry, it's not just teaching them about Jesus every day of the week, it's not just about making sure they're fed and have clothes and are warm in the winter.

It is all of these components working together, through the local Churches we support, that is changing Lives, changing families, changing a culture and the communities we are working in.

Thank You for Your Love and Prayers and Support ! We hope you are as blessed as we were to read Alexia's story, much of it in her own words.

Church Mexico Organization Fostering Education for the Youth of Rural Mexico

(Brock Blasdell, September 2023) In the hazy late summer afternoon, nine miles south of the Mexican border, a teenage girl named Alexia Castro recounts the biblical story of Job after being asked to give advice on schooling. Her youthful timidity quickly changed to determination as she spoke. She was seriously considering dropping out of junior high just a little over a year ago, but today she celebrates being awarded one of the highest grades she’s ever had, on this year’s high school report card.

“We need to be like Job because no matter what happens we must not give up our faith, and in the end we will overcome,” Castro said. “Job had faith that God was never going to leave him… that something new and better would come out the other side. I would encourage you to believe that. To believe in the book of Job because I have and it's helped me a lot.”

Just 16-years-old, Castro has had her life irrefutably changed by the works of a budding organization dedicated to church planting and discipleship named Church Mexico operating out of Sonora, Mexico. The ministry has built her family a home, created an education program, supported her growth in academia through scholarships, and guided her into young adulthood through community programs founded for just one purpose: to serve an area struck by poverty in the name of Jesus Christ.

Sitting alongside Alexia is her pastor, mentor and friend, David Power. After being called to Christ shortly after graduating college, Power returned to his home town in Yuma, Arizona where he joined a local church and became a pastor after a few years. Part of his ministry was preaching the gospel to those in poverty across the Mexican border while also delivering food and supplies. Little did he know at the time that this ministry was the seed of something that would grow much larger and much more influential over the course of the next twelve years.

“That led to us starting an outreach ministry from the church in Yuma where we would take things down and build homes for people,” Power said. “Those people asked to do a Bible study, that Bible study grew, then we were holding services and baptizing people, and that’s when we knew the Lord was calling us to plant a church in Mexico.”

In coordination with his church in Yuma, Power was sent to Mexico in January 2012 and began a journey of service in Christ’s name lasting to this day. Funding much of their journey through charity, Power works to create a lasting organization that helps local communities with supplies, seeds new churches, and trains locals to take positions in clergy and start their own organizations.

“We decided that, whatever the Lord gave us, we were going to utilize every single day to be a light in the darkness,” Power said. “So we built these facilities from the beginning through Church Mexico with the intention of impacting the community – to build up the community every single day as the church. We believed that that was what we were supposed to do.”

These new facilities were equipped with classrooms ready to host a budding education program, dubbed King’s Kids, that has helped young women like Castro. Through donations and volunteers from their first church plant, La Iglesia de San Luis, these classrooms provide electricity, air conditioning, internet, laptops, printers, and tutors to students – almost all of whom would go without if not for the ministry.

“These kids normally wouldn’t have these in their homes because they are living in poverty. Most of them don’t have electricity and those that do, don’t have an A/C in their house. They don’t have the internet. They don’t have laptops. So they wouldn’t be able to do their schoolwork if Church Mexico didn’t provide this,” Power said.

Power met Castro when she was just a little girl. Her family was one of the first to receive a home from his group's services. To this day, Power fondly remembers sitting and studying with Castro and her family on a small table outside their family home. Her family was large, and had little they could give to their newest generation. Still, with consistent aid and guidance from her church and her family, Castro has grown into a capable young woman with big aspirations.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do after school yet, and that's one of the things I am praying about. But I can say today that maybe I want to be a paramedic. Whatever it is that I do, I just want to have a good career to have enough financial resources to help other people that are struggling,” Castro said. “Two other options are working in human rights or as a dentist. I’d like to help people in a situation or environment similar to what I grew up in and am living in currently. If they have a basic need for food or water, I just want to help them.”

The difficulties of obtaining an education while in poverty are not new for those living along the Mexican-American border. Her family story is filled, like many others, with crime, drug abuse, poverty, and a generalized lack of resources. While Mexico is not a particularly impoverished nation, corruption has left those living in rural areas with a lack of infrastructure and the support necessary to foster a healthy life. These limitations, all of which create tension when studying in school, can lead young women down the wrong path.

“I can relate to other girls in my situation. I understand how difficult and how hurtful things can be sometimes. I know what it feels like to have a knife or something sharp poking through your heart. You’re desperate because you don’t know how to get out of that situation. You feel like everything should just end,” Castro said. “Even though it doesn’t seem like there’s a solution. There is one. His name is Jesus, and what they need to do is believe. Believe that there’s a big God who can do all things.”

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that just 54% of women make up all upper secondary education graduates. Moreover, young women in Mexico who don’t receive a secondary education face a variety of difficult life circumstances stemming from their lower socio-economic status such as lower participation in the general labor market, higher risk of violence and discrimination, and higher rates of unpaid work and household duties in adult life.

“If we didn’t have the child sponsorships and financial assistance for education to keep these girls in school, she would have been out a long time ago,” Power said. “Way too often, what happens when an adolescent or teenage girl drops out of school in this area of poverty – they often find a boyfriend, get married at a young age, get pregnant at a young age – and that continues the cycle of poverty.”

Still, Castro, in conjunction with the aid provided by her church, has grown into a vibrant and intelligent young woman showing no signs of such an outcome. She attributes the majority of her academic success to the female mentorship she receives from the sisters in her church who meet and work with her weekly on her studies. Additionally, she thanked all those who’ve provided the funding for the scholarships that make her schoolwork possible.

Castro’s latest victory is just one of many stories of success brought about by church community organizations within these rural Mexican communities. Power, who has already been working within the area for over a decade, says the Church Mexico organization has big plans to help more people by expanding and seeding more organizations throughout the nation. As a local 501c3 nonprofit organization, these programs depend on volunteers and charity to expand and continue. For those who feel called to help, visit churchmexico.org.

[All quotes from Alexia Castro were translated from Spanish to English.]

We ask and invite you to help us with either a Year-end Donation , or a monthly commitment to invest in this Gospel work over the next year. We are now working with 4 Churches in Mexico, and the needs continue to present themselves as Opportunities to help change more lives in Jesus Mighty Name!

Merry Christmas

David and the Board of Church Mexico

RESCUING GIRLS BEFORE THEY NEED RESCUING-SPECIAL EVENT

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:44:22 GMT

On Sept 22-23, one of our Board Members Mike Garland, along with his lovely wife Susanne traveled to join the Church in San Luis to support a very special event. Their trip and this event was funded by over $1,000 given by members from one of our Ministry Partners in Peoria, Arizona, Christ Bible Church.

The weekend's events were focused on Rescuing our youth from Sexual Abuses and Sex Trafficking… Before they need rescuing.

The idea was to bring awareness to girls 11-18, help them build community amongst themselves, and be able to discuss and address issues in their lives to prevent poor decisions, harmful experiences and traumatic outcomes.

The format included Friday evening “Ladies Tea” where 22 girls from three different Churches, some of their mothers, and women from the Churches’ leadership were able to discuss difficult issues of being intimidated, feeling uncomfortable with older men or with men with influence over them, etc. That night many of the girls stayed in the dorms after the eye-opening and transparent conversations.

Saturday commenced with a group breakfast for the girls, then a shopping trip where they each were able to buy new outfits for the special evening event. That afternoon they prepared themselves for a really nice catered dinner served to them in the community center where decorations, centerpieces and flowers were presented. Dinner was followed by a time of teaching, discussion and prayer.

The teaching covered the power of Jesus in their lives, the issues of purity, teenage pregnancy, sex trafficking, immoral behavior, and their consequences. Perhaps more importantly, they were involved in talks about prevention and remedies, including education and association with believers in the Churches who are there to watch out for, protect and support them.

At the end of the evening, the girls all chose to sign a pact with one another: choosing to follow Jesus’ plan for their lives, and to speak up and to speak out whenever there is any threat towards any one of them. They all left uplifted and empowered with knowledge, new connections and a much greater sense of security.

We truly believe that this one event will be used to save one or more of these girls from harm and abuse, in Jesus’ name. Thank you to all that prayed for and supported this trip/event! Please join in supporting us for our next life changing outreach coming soon.

Additional note-

This event was significant in that it also included two other Christian Churches. The pastors are being mentored by Pastor David and they were all part of the men’s group Friday evening. The guest Churches also had 12 of the 22 girls and one of their mothers involved. This added to the support networks for each Church. It also is part of the Church Mexico mission to provide support and training for like minded Churches in the area, not just the one Church in San Luis.

Thank you for your prayers, connections and support. If you’d like to give additional financial support please visit our Support page.

Special Interview with Alexia

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:50:06 GMT

“These kids normally wouldn’t have these in their homes because they are living in poverty. Most of them don’t have electricity and those that don’t even have an A/C in their house. They don’t have the internet. They don’t have laptops. So they wouldn’t be able to do their schoolwork if Church Mexico didn’t provide this,” Power said.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that just 54% of women make up all upper secondary education graduates . Moreover, young women in Mexico who don’t receive a secondary education face a variety of difficult life circumstances stemming from their lower socio-economic status such as lower participation in the general labor market , higher risk of violence and discrimination , and higher rates of unpaid work and household duties in adult life.

Christmas In July - Newsletter

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:56:17 GMT

Have you heard of Christmas in July? Read about it in our newsletter, below.

Here’s a question: Is Christmas one of your favorite times of the year???

Ours, too!!! Celebrating Jesus! Giving gifts to loved ones or the less fortunate; joining in fellowship with the Lord... Well, we have some Good News! YOU don’t have to wait until December to experience that same kind of JOY.…

Now you can be part of Christmas in July!

Living in the Sonoran desert for 11 years, I can see without any doubt this is the hardest time of the year for all of our friends in San Luis, and for so many others in our community that we reach out to share the love of Jesus with. In our area in the summer, the following happens:

~Work opportunities decrease

~Children are at home most of the day looking for something to do

~Many more families struggle just to make ends meet

~The temperatures rise up and up and up, often remaining over 110° for a month straight, with over 50% of the people having no air conditioning…

We’ve been challenged for years to figure out how to help and to serve people in Jesus’ name during these toughest of months. We want to Be the Light in the world as His Church. And now, we’re inviting you to join us!

Here are some of the ways you can participate:

Pray for the people of San Luis, the Church at San Luis and its leadership, and for the many supporters of Church Mexico.
Contribute to our goal of collecting funds for 50 back-to-school kits for our kids. Each kit is $45 which covers the cost of materials for the Fall semester.
Give online with a regular monthly gift to support ongoing costs - electricity, water for the community center and the soccer field, gas and maintenance for our several vehicles, etc.
Make a one time gift that can be distributed to selected needy church members.
Organize a Church Mexico event at your home to introduce others to the organization.
In cooler climates, hold a garage sale to raise awareness and funding.
Start planning a trip with your team to visit us and be part of the outreach, evangelism and support.

God Bless You,

Pastor David

From the Board

In the last few months we’ve seen many exciting things with the ministry -

One van donated for our local pastor and contributions for another van for the daily transportation of kids and activities
Soccer field ministry in full swing
Training by Pastor David to other local San Luis churches
VBS coming up Aug 7-11
New ministry partners from Texas & Idaho
New logo!
So much more…

Look for a more complete update next month...

Thank you for your prayers, connections and support. If you’d like to give additional financial support please visit our website.

Joe Tuerff

Bill Ingram

Mike Garland

David Power

Today We Reached Another Milestone...

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 18:03:04 GMT

100 Trips!

Over the last 10 years of ministry we have given away just about everything: medicine and medical supplies, bicycles and baby formula, toys and televisions, couches and computers, diapers and duffle bags, school supplies and spatulas, beans and Bibles and rice and flour and canned foods…. So many donations big and small, and all have gone to bless others in the name of Jesus!

I want to personally Thank All Of you who have given anything to this work. I am certain that God Himself will continue to change lives here through all of our efforts. I am sure God will continue to be Glorified as others see our good works. I am sure God will fulfill His promise to bless you who give so generously, pressed down, shaken up and running over!

Pressing On With You, David

Starting Anew

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 18:05:44 GMT

Just getting our new website up and running in March 2022. There's plenty of content to read and see at our old website www.churchmexico.com. You can see posts from several years here https://churchmexico.com/apps/blog.

With the launch of our new soccer ministry, new 501-C3 status and new staff on board, we are looking forward to a busy 2022!