First Buckner Mexico Mission Trip

Eight years ago, I became burdened for the 62 indigenous people groups in Mexico that speak over 250 dialects; so I am excited that the first two Buckner related mission trips this summer were with two indigenous groups. First Baptist in Garland and Iglesia Bautista Manantial de Vida, a colonia church pastored by Buckner Coordinator Omar Chavarria, partnered together to be the first Texas group to take the Gospel to the Chichimeca people in San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato.

The Chichimecas were the only people considered to be unconquerable by the Spanish “conquistadores” because they would not perform slave labor and accept the teachings of the Jesuits. They attacked the Jesuit caravans of gold and silver, but finally agreed to a peace treaty if the Jesuits would give them a cow for passage each time. The name was changed from San Luis to San Luis de la Paz (of the peace) and is still a reminder today of that treaty.

The national missionary to the Chichimecas is Alberto Reyes (yes, a different Albert Reyes). Last year, Missionary Reyes was able to acquire property on the reservation where a community center could be built and FBC Garland responded to the challenge of providing funding for the construction. FBC Garland has been working with Buckner in a valley colonia for the past five years and decided to extend that partnership by going together to reach the Chichimecas. Their Hispanic ministry also participated & purchased a sound system and DVD projector to show The Jesus Film and leave for further ministry.

Charlotte Greenhaw, mission associate at Garland, shared that the Chichimecas went from being afraid of them to giving them many hugs and shed tears as the Texas team departed. The teams were able to meet many physical needs as well as tremendous spiritual needs with more than 100 adults and children professing faith in Christ. The teams did VBS, sports camp, block party, medical and dental clinics, water purification, and prayer walked some of the “high places” of idolatry and spiritual darkness that have kept these people in spiritual bondage for centuries.

Missionary Reyes held the first service in the community center after the group left and had an attendance of 19 adults and 17 children. Minister of Missions, Jim Witt said: “I know several church planters who would give anything for that kind of attendance on a first service!”

Jim also shared: “My folks returned fired-up about ministering to the Chichimecas.  They want to minister further and assist Missionary Alberto. Some want to go to San Luis 3-4 times a year to do things like finishing the community center, vocational training, water purification, and teach cell group Bible Study methods. One couple is even talking about the possibility of going to the reservation to serve along side Missionary Alberto for months or perhaps longer.

On the last day, one of the team members summed it up better than I ever could: “One of the most important things I have realized on this trip is the time is right for Pastor Alberto and other Christians like us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers in to his harvest field.” We must be bold in our faith and know that we serve a God that will never leave us. He loves us more than we could ever imagine or understand. My prayer, for myself and everyone at First Baptist Garland, is that none of us would not be ashamed of our faith and go outside of the church doors and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ every second of the day. Go on a mission trip like this, get out of your comfort zone and I know you will have a life-changing experience. Pray for God to direct you where He wants you to go serve. I hope I am not out of line, but I am writing from my heart and know what God wants all of us to do.”

No my brother, you are not out of line – keep sharing your heart! May more believers obediently respond to the challenge with your passion… For more information on Mexico mission opportunities and how you can respond, contact Dexton Shores, dshores@buckner.org