MexicoAG.org

Simple Faith of a Modern Day Apostle

mrthndave — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:12:54 +0000

This post is submitted by Chariti Parsons, a missionary associate currently serving in the state of Oaxaca. You can read more of her experiences on her personal blog.

During my trips to the Sierra Mazateca I’ve had the great privilege of getting to know some of the most incredible yet humble people I’ve ever known. Gonzalo, Ofelia and their kids are one family who have impacted me tremendously by their example of humble self sacrifice and meek perseverance in the work of establishing the church of Jesus.

Gonzalo grew up in a Mazatec community, only speaking that language. He never attended even elementary school since his father had an accident, and he had to help support his family. In spite of these harsh realities, he taught himself to read and write, and later taught himself Spanish by reading the Bible. He once heard a message in which the question was posed referring to Christ, “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” He figured if Jesus could come from a place like Nazareth, then surely God could use someone from the Sierra Mazateca, and his life has proven this fact.

Gonzalo and Ofelia

Over an evening cup of coffee at their house I asked, “How many churches have you planted?” He responded that twelve churches had been planted, and there is another that is now in process. He and his family began these churches scattered throughout the mountains in Oaxaca and Puebla, and he is raising up workers to disciple the believers. When he isn’t traveling between villages on his motorcycle or truck, he does manual labor to cover his family’s basic living necessities.

“Are there many villages that have not yet heard the gospel?” I asked. “Si,” he replied that they are going into pueblos where they have never heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus. At the same time, there is a Nahuatl village in Puebla where all but one person have accepted Christ as their Savior and have formed a church.

Dinner with Gonzalo's family

While I stayed in the pueblos I felt that the spiritual oppression there was almost tangible. I marveled at the work Gonzalo and his family have carried on with no stipend, no financial support, and no official title, riding through the cold and rain, visiting pueblos hours apart every weekend. Through most of the years of his labor he has held no official position, but had a big heart and simple faith backed up by action. Oh to have such faith, such singular focus and humble passion for the glory of God’s name!

Report from the 51st General Council of the Assemblies of God of Mexico

mrthndave — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:05:27 +0000

Last week in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, the General Council of the Assemblies of God of Mexico met for the 51st time to hold elections and transact official business. The following is a summary of what went on during the proceedings:

The Presence of God

From the start to the finish of the Council, we were reminded of our dependence on the Presence of God. Daniel de los Reyes, our current General Superintendent, opened the council quoting the words of Moses in Exodus 33:15 “Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Elizabeth Jimenez de Chavez, a pastor in Ciudad Juarez, known as the most violent city in the world because of the war on drugs, reminded us that in spite of the current situation that God was with us “to the end of the age.” The council also heard from Butch Frey, our former Area Director, as he encouraged us with words from the Prodigal Son that no matter where we are we can always go home.

The Elections

Elections were held for the General Superintendent, the General Secretary, and the General Treasurer. Because of term limits, Daniel de los Reyes was prohibited from seeking another term as General Superintendent. On the third day of the council, Abel Flores was elected as General Superintendent on the fourth ballot. The current Adjunct Superintendent of the Central Zone, he has been regarded as a man of vision and integrity and the news of his election has been favorably received by ministers and missionaries alike.

In the afternoon of the same day, we returned in order to select the General Secretary. After the third round of voting, Juan Perez, the current Adjunct Superintendent of the Southern Zone had a clear majority over Daniel de los Reyes although an election could not be declared. However, Daniel de los Reyes, feeling the direction of the council, withdrew his name allowing Juan Perez to be declared the new General Secretary. He succeeds the current General Secretary, Samuel Vázquez.

On Thursday morning the final election was held for General Treasurer. In this election, it was the current General Treasurer, Guillermo Rodríguez, who stepped aside, this time for Daniel de los Reyes, as he was declared the General Treasurer Elect according to the wishes of the Council.

Other Business

A number of other measures were considered and approved among those included the creation of the program, “Missions without Borders,” a Mexican version of “Speed the Light,” a program created to buy communication equipment and vehicles for nationally appointed missionaries.

Partnering to Reach the Indigenous and Ethnic Groups of Mexico

mrthndave — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:49:51 +0000

On October 9th, incoming Area director Dave Greco met with Mexico’s A/G leaders regarding partnership in ministry to the indigenous and ethnic groups in Mexico.

The meeting in Chihuahua City with Salvador Salazar- National Missions Director, César Casillas – National Missions Treasurer, and Cruz Velázquez – Home Missions Director and pioneer missionary to the Tarahumara Indians, is expected to be a profitable one.

Let’s pray for our leaders and also over this partnership as it grows and develops:

wisdom – “But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. James 3:17 NIV
workers – “For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God” I Cor. 3:9 AMP; “He said to them, “There are a great many people to harvest, but there are only a few workers. So pray to God, who owns the harvest, that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest.” Luke 10:2 NCV
unity – “And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.” 2 Cor. 13:11 MSG

The Persecuted Indigenous Church

mrthndave — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:55:49 +0000

Federal law in Mexico gives each individual a right to worship freely. So why are indigenous people in Mexico who come to faith persecuted, thrown out of their villages, or even martyred without any justice?

Because federal law stops outside the borders of the indigenous culture. Each indian village operates according to their own law. Earlier this month in Oaxaca State, catholic Indians in a Zapotec village burned the pentecostal church to the ground. The thirteen families that make up the congregation were either detained from leaving the village or forbidden to reenter. They were also threatened with lynching.

The pastor filed a lawsuit, but the local prosecutor’s reply was that evangelicals can’t be trusted and the pastor was fabricating stories, even though evidence was concrete: a heap of ashes where the church stood only days before. Neither could the congregants depend on help from their local authority, since he himself had been one of the perpetrators.

This story is repeated with varying circumstances throughout the indigenous pueblos of Mexico. It rarely makes the news however, since it is considered a private village matter.

Let’s pray for the indigenous believers throughout Mexico:

comfort in suffering – “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:49,50 NIV
encouragement – “From the ends of the earth I call you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” Psalm 61:2,3 NIV
endurance – “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God bless you you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about…be happy…for a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.” Matthew 5:1012 NLT
defense – “Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.” Psalm 60:11,12 NIV

Prayer Focus: The Indigenous Groups of Mexico

mrthndave — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:28:10 +0000

In Mexico today there remain fifty-six ethnic groups, with more than 298 subgroups and dialects. The name of some may sound familiar to you, such as the Zapotecs, the Mayans, and the Tarahumaras. Yet there are others you may never have heard of and perhaps can�t even pronounce, such as the Ixcatecos, the Matlazincas, and the Cuicatecos.

The good news is that the Gospel has been taken to a number of them � some churches and preaching points have been established, with limited materials available in various languages. There remains, however, a two-fold challenge: first, to aid those churches and their pastors, as their need for co-laborers is great, and second, to reach the remaining groups with the Truth.

At last year�s Concilio Nacional, the Mexico Assemblies of God motioned for each district to appoint a promoter of ethnic groups as part of their vision for the indigenous harvest. Some districts have already done this.

We, as the Mexico Missionary Fellowship, have the privilege to partner with the national church in this through prayer and awareness. Gabriel Borbolla, director CAMAD, the Missionary Training Center in Oaxaca, says, �Without information, there is no passion�.

In order for us to pray with knowledge and passion, information about these unique groups will be posted to this site on a regular basis.

Let�s begin today by praying for:

God to birth a passion in each of us for one of these groups
All laborers involved in ministry to the ethnic groups of Mexico
The districts and their appointed promoters
More laborers sent into this specific harvest
Necessary resources

A Nation Paused

mrthndave — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:35:48 +0000

Concern in Mexico changed overnight from its dangerous drug cartels to a deadly virus. The nation has been put on hold.

Fear in eyes, masks on faces. Schools, government offices, and museums have been closed. Public meetings, including church services, cancelled. Businesses and tourism are losing billions of pesos nationwide.

Mexico�s people are asked to suspend part of their identity (no Cinco de Mayo festivities) as well as part of their Latin culture (stop greeting one another with kisses and handshakes).

What more can this country take? Prayer � and a lot of it.

Please join us as we intercede:

Pray for the sick; for an end to the suffering.
Pray for families who have lost a loved one to the virus.
Intercede for believers as they boldly pray for the sick and proclaim the Good News of eternal life.
Ask for the peace of God to be felt across the land, and for many to commit their lives to the Prince of Peace.
Pray for pastors, Christian leaders, and missionaries to remain healthy with a steadfast trust in the Lord.

May we see God�s hand at work in response to our prayers!

Photo provided by sarihuella on flickr.com

Intercessory Prayer for Mexico

mrthndave — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:45:40 +0000

Again the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain or showers in the day of wrath.’ There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’-when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
–Ezekiel 22:23-31

You�ll notice in this passage that God points out five levels of society to Ezekiel and reveals the corruption, violence and sin that is destroying each area:

The Princes – these are the highest rulers in the land. God reveals that they are devouring the people, destroying families and taking the wealth of the land.
The Priests – the religious leaders. They do not expose sin and they profane God�s Name, actually turning people away from true righteousness.
The Public Officials – the local leaders. They destroy lives for money.
The Prophets – the spiritual influencers of the land. They give false visions and revelations, helping to hide the true state of sinfulness in the nation.
The People – the masses. They also practice sin, stealing from and mistreating one another.

When I read this passage I immediately think of Mexico. For centuries corruption, greed and violence have destroyed every level of society in this country, from Presidents down to the local store shop owners on every corner. Idolatry, theft, bribery and murder have ravaged this nation. Even now we are seeing another wave of violence and corruption that is destroying lives.

But just as in Ezekiel�s time, God is looking for those who would see what He sees and stand in the gap in intercession so that He can pour out mercy and grace instead of judgment and wrath. Unfortunately for the case with Ezekiel, God �found none�. That has to be one of the most tragic verses in the whole Bible! There was not one person that God could share His heart with, reveal the true situation of the nation to, and who would respond in selfless love to intercede for mercy.

I pray that God would find in you and I people who are willing to receive His burden and His love to stand in the gap on behalf of Mexico. Allow the Holy Spirit to break you and cause you to cry out to God for mercy for every one of these five levels of society.

Pray for:

The President of Mexico – Felipe Calder�n. Pray that God would touch him, his family and those in his inner circle of leadership that they would bow their knees to Jesus Christ and rule with righteousness.
The Religious leaders of Mexico. Pray for Catholic Priests to have a revelation of the Risen Lord! Pray for Pastors of all denominations to rise up and preach truth.
The Local leaders in Mexico. Pray for Senators, Mayors and Municipal Leaders to come to Christ, to govern with righteousness, to turn from bribery and extortion.
The Spiritual Influencers of Mexico. Pray that God would break the back of idolatry and witchcraft in Mexico, that He would shut the mouths of false prophets and raise up true preachers of righteousness in the land.
Pray for the people of Mexico. Pray that God would grant repentance to the people of Mexico, that they would come to a true knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The fate of Mexico is not in the hands of the President, or the Federal Police, or any other organization… it�s in the hands of the Church. May we feel God�s pain and God�s love and be moved to our knees.

Remembering Missionary Harley Vail

mrthndave — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:32:01 +0000

In the passing of Harley Vail on Friday, November 28th, the Mexico Missionary Fellowship lost a pioneer, co-worker, and very dear friend. In the following memorial, we remember this man who, at 93 years old, was cheery and joking to the end.

Harley W. Vail was born in Brewster, Kansas in 1915. His family later moved to Nampa, Idaho, where he lived until leaving home to serve in the US Army during World War II. Following the war, Harley attended Bible School at Southern California Bible College and felt the call to Mexico, becoming the first appointed missionary to Mexico for the Assemblies of God.

After thirty years of dedication to the people of Yucatan, Mexico, Harley married Jean Durland of Lyons, Oregon. They were then appointed as missionaries to Nicaragua for five years and held various other assignments in Mexico until retirement. Eventually they settled in Oregon, where he lived his final years in Redmond and Bend, making many new friends.

Known for his humor and always having a joke to tell, Harley’s hobbies included table tennis and then pool as he aged. He loved church hymns and playing his accordion, which he had used for many years in Mexico. He participated in Bible Studies at Harmony House Retirement Center where he was a resident.

Harley is survived by his wife Jean Durland Vail, son Toney Vail of Sacramento, California, sister Lois McWaters of Twin Falls, Idaho, and brother Virgil Vail of Sunriver, Oregon.

A Tribute to Missionary Nick Pino

mrthndave — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:31:33 +0000

Recently, the Mexico Missionary Fellowship bid farewell to friend and co-worker Nick Pino. In the following article, we commemorate the life and work of this faithful servant of Christ.

Nick was born in Italy, and spent childhood years in Argentina. In his early teens, he began to run with the wrong group and began to drink at 13, causing his parents problems. A pastor�s wife intervened, and sent him to a Christian summer camp where he met Jesus. A little later in a missions rally, God called him to be a missionary.

At age 17, Nick and his family moved to the United States where he met Naomi Ruth Taylor at Zion Bible Institute, and they eventually married and went into pastoral ministry. Nick went to Chile with a youth witnessing team in 1974, and his heart was captured. Nick and Ruth Pino, and their three sons, were appointed in July 1975 to go to Chile.

They engaged in evangelism. Impact �76� saw many miracles in the six targeted cities, with up to 2500 people attending nightly. Ruth was active in the Chilean Women�s Missionary Council. In 1977, they added church planting to their job description.

In 1980-81, Nick helped oversee the building of the new Bible school in downtown Santiago which he directed. He used students to plant a church in Linares, and La Reina. He also became associated with international television evangelism. They felt called to plant 10 new churches in 1984-1986, working with John and Glenda Harris. In their last 5 years in Chile, they planted 30 churches.

In 1991 they transferred to Mexico, where these two families soon had planted 30 new churches and an additional four in Chile. Ruth began nurses training, eventually earning her degree. The late 90�s found them engaged in large evangelistic crusades and women�s conferences, with many coming to Christ. They also continued with church planting. During recent years, Nick and Ruth continued to minister in campaigns, conferences, and church planting projects.

Over the last few years, they had suffered a number of serious health issues, but soldiered on, Nick finally succumbing on November 13th. Only eternity will reveal the extent of the influence of their ministry.