Mexico 201O

Mid July will mark a time of work and ministry in the State of Guerrero, Mexico. Guerrero is best known for the beaches and cliff divers of Acapulco.

Pastors James Hayes and Numa Gomez listen as local leaders share their vision for reaching communities. The approach of listening first goes a great way to affirm the role of local pastors and church members

Basketball Ministry

When I think of Mexican sports, I think of Fernando Valenzuela and baseball. I think of soccer. One of the major sports in Mexico, though, is basketball. Their Aztec ancestors invented it, after all, and the passion is tremendous. In 2009, a group of basketball players and coaches from Oklahoma and Arizona went to Coyuca de Benitez and turned the town upside down. In 2010, they will be back and ready to teach the game they love to some 300 or more players and coaches. The team will also be involved with playing a tournament with the Coyuca men’s league. The locals will be back and looking for the rematch after the Oklahoma/Arizona team swept the court.

Prison Ministry

We have all heard about crime and trouble in Mexico. One of our teams will be working in the prisons. They will lead a conference for local believers who want to go in to the prisons and minister. We will also go in, ourselves and share the Gospel. The prison in Acapulco is a facility housing both men and women. There are even children of prisoners who live with their mothers until they are six years old.

Youth attending a Saturday night service in Renaciamento

Vacation Bible School

A group from Iglesia Bautista Central of Phoenix will be sharing the love of Christ through a Vacation Bible School at the new church in Renaciamento…that’s right Spanish speakers, the name of the neighborhood is “Rebirth.” The Iglesia Bautista Central group are old hands at missions in Mexico and they will need your prayers as they  minister in the new work area. The church is located directly across the street from a large sports complex and many people pass by the church everyday.

Ministry in Neighborhoods

The First Baptist Church of Avondale and the South Peoria Baptist Church (Phoenix Area Churches) will be helping a church in the working class areas that overlooks the beautiful Acapulco Bay.

Peru 2010

Chip and Julie will be going to Peru this summer for several reasons. One, it has been 5 years since they have lived in Peru and it is high time for a return visit. Two, plans for 2011 include spending the entire summer doing ministry in Peru, and this 2010 trip provides a great opportunity to reconnect with partners in ministry and access the needs for the future. Three, well… it is their 25th anniversary and two or three days at the beach sound pretty nice! Take a look at the 2011 Destinations page if you are interested in getting involved, next year.