By Bill Kierce
Words fail to convey the impact or importance of our recent Empower the Nations (EtN) Phase Two mission to Mexico. But I will try. I will also try to spare you the “missions slideshow” version and offer a more strategic emphasis regarding the purpose of our work there and elsewhere through EtN. Before leaving his post as president of the Francis Asbury Society (FAS), Dr. Ron Smith articulated a vision for global mission through FAS in 50 countries. This was a bold appeal, one which I am honored and excited to inherit and expand.
As many of our readers will remember, our first EtN event in Mexico was held in June 2023. Church leaders, primarily Wesleyan in theological orientation, came from throughout the country for the four-day conference. This is what we have come to call Phase One of our EtN strategy, a large event to teach principles of biblical holiness and address topics such as Wesleyan discipleship and pastoral leadership development. Phase Two then initiates work with these participants in regional areas nearer their home locations to engage additional leaders. This was the purpose of our recent ministry in Mexico.
Jim Harriman, FAS Director of Latin American Ministries, and I spent April 24th through May 6th leading conferences in three cities: Torreón, Mexico City, and Irapuato. We at FAS are indebted to Jim as both an interpreter and teacher in these events. In each place, we found pastors and church leaders who are hungry for biblical teaching on holiness of heart and life. We saw God move in extraordinary ways, in every place calling people to deeper levels of personal surrender and dependency on the Holy Spirit. Evangelical Christianity arrived only 50 years ago in Mexico, and the country remains in the grip of a brand of Catholicism that is quite frankly a mixture of classical Roman doctrine and voodoo religion. On my last day in Mexico, I witnessed a parade through one capital city that was reminiscent of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Gay Pride Day in New York City. At the end of the parade, the priest of the largest and oldest parish in the city offered a blessing. Considering that 85% of Mexico is classified as Catholic and less than 10% as Evangelical (and that’s a broad definition), there is a tremendous need for evangelistic preaching and sound biblical teaching.
Our first conference was held in Torreón, a city of nearly one million people in the central desert of Mexico. Our work was with 23 pastors and their invited guests from the Evangelical Methodist Church in Mexico. They came from all over the northern part of the country, some from as many as 12 hours by bus. While meager in terms of resources, they are abundant in faith. Their superintendent, Isaias Flores, is an amazing leader. In Mexico City, we were hosted by the OMS seminary and its director, Troy Gentry. This conference involved 65–70 participants from various denominations. As a result, our conversations around biblical holiness were vigorous but very well-received. Nearly all participants in this event prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and fully used of God. They are asking for ongoing help in teaching these truths to their churches. Before heading to Irapuato, we spent 24 hours with Roberto Stevenson, one of our FAS pastor-evangelists, who leads the largest evangelical church in all of Mexico, established in revival nearly 30 years ago. In fact, the entire area of Mexico City around his church, comprising hundreds of thousands of residents, has been renamed due to the church’s impact upon society. While there, we shared with 18 young missionaries, sponsored by the church, who were returning from their 30-day deputation on the field. What a joy to witness these young people so sold out to Jesus and to hear their stories!
We concluded Phase Two in Mexico with a conference in the city of Irapuato. Participants were mainly comprised of pastors and leaders from a church network established by World Gospel Mission’s (WGM) work. Irapuato is a fertile and beautiful city, which is known as the Strawberry Capital of the World. I must admit, while the changed lives and energized leaders that we encountered in Mexico are the lasting fruit and most vivid memories of our ministry there, the fresas con crema (strawberries with cream) was the most spiritual experience I’ve ever had with food. But I digress… The area of central Mexico surrounding Irapuato is the least evangelized region of the whole nation. It is a highly secular area and, also, because of its relative wealth and natural resources, a prime target for Mexican drug cartels. The churches there are desperate for resources that ground their members in sound biblical doctrine, especially sanctification. There is a window open for FAS to partner with these churches and leaders before they fall prey to a brand of Pentecostalism that is immersed in prosperity gospel. Because of this great need, I am happy to report that FAS will work with local bilingual leaders to translate and distribute many of our books and discipleship resources in Spanish. In addition, we are moving forward with the creation of a Spanish-language website so that we can coordinate live and recorded content through Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
So, what is next for Mexico and Empower the Nations? In all three areas where we ministered, we have been invited to return and to expand our support of the Great Commission there through teaching and resources. Later in 2023 or early 2024, one of our FAS next-generation evangelists (who you will be hearing more about in the June Ministry Matters) will conduct a Young Leaders Conference, probably in Irapuato, to engage young adults and youth. And as Phase Three of EtN in Mexico proceeds, FAS will focus on walking consistently with these same pastors and churches through leadership development and ongoing coaching with congregations.
Now that the witness of FAS has been established and continues in Mexico, we will turn our attention toward open doors in other areas of Latin America and Africa. In Revelation 3:8 (NIV), Jesus said to the Church in Philadelphia (and to the Francis Asbury Society), “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, but you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” As we remain committed to keep God’s Word and never deny his name, would you consider a gift to help us serve international leaders through resource translation, Spanish-language publishing, and future conferencing? Your donation to FAS, designated for Empower the Nations, will be most helpful and appreciated in assisting us to fulfill this calling.