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Mexico

• Release of Abducted Pastor

  
  A pastor prays for members of his congregation in the Chiapas region of Mexico where Christians face hostility from rebel groups.

  On March 29th, Pastor Pedro Vazquez was abducted for several days from his village in Chiapas by a violent group known as Chinchulines. During Pastor Pedro's confinement in a nearby village, his family and members of the church congregation were very concerned for his safety.

  Pastor Pedro works in an area where pastors and Christian workers have been threatened with death; and evangelical believers are often expelled from their communities, resulting in the loss of land, homes and crops. A previous report on persecution in Chiapas may be reviewed here. (Also note the informative video documentary that's available on the top right-hand side of the same web page.)

  While we can praise God for Pastor Pedro's safe release, please intercede for him and his church, as well as others who are working in areas hostile to the Gospel. May these believers be further strengthened and encouraged to continue faithfully sharing God's Word and demonstrating the love of Jesus. Ask the Lord to abundantly bless and multiply their efforts, resulting in a great harvest of lasting spiritual fruit in the lives of those from their communities and beyond -- impacting the nation of Mexico as a whole.

• Traditionalists Set Christian Homes Ablaze

  
  Pray for the growing
  number of displaced
  families in Mexico.

  Christians in several Mexican municipalities are continuing to face harassment and expulsion by the country's traditionalist leaders. In early January, believers residing within the municipality of Las Margaritas, located in the southern state of Chiapas, found themselves destitute after their homes were destroyed by armed village leaders who had threatened them for the duration of ten months prior to the incident.

  President of VOM Mexico, Luis Antonio Herrera, reports that the nine families had been threatened by village authorities since April of 2015, warning them of consequences if they refused to change their religious affiliation. In October, each adult belonging to the evangelical Christian group was fined $190 for not signing a letter of confirmation indicating the required change. On December 15th, a final ultimatum was given in which the church members were to provide evidence of the mandated conversion. By the afternoon, it was reported that seven of the Christians had been imprisoned for not complying with the village leaders' orders.

  Although those held in confinement were released two days later, Luis Herrera adds that on January 4th, 2016, the Christians' refusal to comply had resulted in the burning of their homes and their families' forceful expulsion from the community. This is only one of several such cases involving severe unjust treatment by leaders of traditionalist communities.

  In the municipalities of Venustiano Carranza, Cuahtemoc Cardenas, San Jose Yashtinin, and Buena Vista Bahuitz, families are contending with opposing local authorities in their efforts to regain access to electricity and water after being discriminately disconnected. While some of these struggles have been ongoing since 2012, there has yet to be any meaningful recognition of their plight or practical help provided by regional authorities. Previous reports can be reviewed at this page.

  Let's uphold these believers in the various mentioned municipalities of Mexico who've faced numerous challenges due to the discrimination and harassment imposed on their families by the traditionalists' unwarranted mandates. Ask God to convict the hearts of the local authorities whose acts of injustice are causing much undue hardship for the Christian members of their communities. Pray that the victimized believers will be granted much more than justice. Most of all, may the love of Christ ultimately prevail in and through the lives of all who are involved in this spiritual struggle (1 Cor. 13:13).

• 'In the Shadow of the Cross' Spanish Training Manual

  VOM Canada is pleased to be partnering with The Voice of the Martyrs Mexico in the printing and distribution of new Spanish Christian training materials. In fact, this month began the nationwide distribution of a very special book, Estando en la Sombra de la Cruz. (A total of 10,000 copies have recently been printed of the first edition.) It's designed to be used as the basis of in-country training sessions that will be presented throughout Mexico.

  This simple yet condensed training manual has been based on the internationally recognized writings of VOM Canada's former CEO, the late Glenn Penner, whose foundational "theology of persecution" message was initially published in the book, In the Shadow of the Cross. The new Spanish edition of the manual includes several inspiring testimonies representing Christian persecution in the Mexican state of Chiapas, practical encouragement for those experiencing tremendous challenges because of their faith, and a call for the Mexican church to remember the persecuted brothers and sisters of their country and around the world. (More about persecution in Mexico can be reviewed here.)

  In reference to the launch of the new Spanish edition, VOM Canada's VP of International Ministry and Operations, Anthony Rhodes, states: "We are privileged to be working with faithful partners like The Voice of the Martyrs Mexico in the advance of the Gospel. It is our hope and prayer that this manual will encourage and equip the Mexican church to a strong, passionate and active faith."

  Thank the Lord for overseeing and blessing the work of translating, editing and printing the new Spanish training manual, "Estando en la Sombra de la Cruz." Ask Him to now grant great wisdom to the various ministry teams that will be travelling throughout Mexico to teach this highly effective ministry material. May the Lord keep them safe as they journey across the country, powerfully presenting His Word for today's church so that others will be fully trained and equipped to fulfill the call of God on their lives (Hebrews 13:14).

  If you're interested in learning more about the study book, In the Shadow of the Cross, which is printed in English, please visit our online store.

• Plea for Intervention of National Government

  Communal farmland in Mexico

  On August 1st, Álvaro López had his personal farmland vandalized and farming tools stolen by a "traditionalist" living in the same area. (The term "traditionalist" is used by those who have erroneously combined their ancestors' pagan Mayan rituals with the ordinances of Catholicism.) While the police did intervene, their relatively minor scolding of the perpetrators had done very little to comfort Álvaro and his fellow evangelical Christians who are all living in a constant state of uncertainty regarding their personal safety.

  This incident follows an ongoing conflict that other evangelical families in southern Mexico began facing within their own communities. The opposition has included personal intimidation, attacks on homes, imprisonment, forceful expulsion, and even physical injury or death to some members of the families. (Previous reports on incidents of persecution in this country -- including video reports -- can be viewed at the Mexico Country Report.)

  While the state of Chiapas officially guarantees the protection of vulnerable groups such as evangelical Christians, governing authorities have not been effective in the enforcement of applicable laws. In a recent commission to raise awareness of religious persecution, the state's Secretary General Juan Carlos Gómez Aranda encouraged minority groups that are suffering discrimination with the promise of necessary action. Yet the recent attack on Álvaro and the continued harassment of other evangelicals within the state prove that no substantial progress has been made.

  Under the guise of protecting their syncretistic rituals and customs, traditionalists have purposely cut off supplies of water and electricity from reaching various evangelical Christian communities in Chiapas and also prevented many families from cultivating crops in their own farmlands. As the state government has ignored or blatantly supported such hostilities, these fellow believers in Christ have begun urgently calling on the country's federal government to mediate on their behalf and, thereby, uphold agreed upon protection.

  Ask the Lord to strengthen the suffering Christians of Mexico so they can endure these hard struggles, exposure to reproach and affliction, and the plundering of their property (Hebrews 10:32-34; Psalm 145:18-19). Pray that these suffering believers will be reminded of the fact that they have a far more worthy possession; one that's promised to last forever in a place where thieves will never break in and steal (Matthew 6:20). May their attackers also experience the reality of God's life-changing presence, the richness of His enabling grace, and the power of His resurrection glory to help them overcome the challenges of this world.

• Additional Challenges Faced by Christian Families

  Photo: Flickr / Joe Driscoll (cc)

  Authorities in the village of Mariano Matamoros, Chiapas State, have illegally cut utilities to the homes of 30 Christian families, leaving them without a supply of water or proper sewage services. This incident is one of the many attacks against evangelicals in the area. The individuals responsible for harassing these families are known as "traditionalists," a group of Mexico's indigenous peoples who have erroneously combined their ancient Mayan rituals with Catholic ordinances.

  Problems began in 2012, when traditionalists in the village began to physically harm the Christians, attempt conversions by force, and confiscate privately-owned property without legal grounds. In the midst of the ongoing violence, appeals were made to the Chiapas State government to protect the families' religious freedom.

  Although the state government guaranteed the protection of these Christians' rights and the return of their illegally-confiscated land, these promises have not been enforced. As a result, a new decree was issued by the opposing village leaders, barring the evangelicals from selling or purchasing any land in the area. The situation for these families is not only distressing, but indicative of the state government's failure to protect the religious freedom of its citizens.

  Similar promises of protection were made to seven other villages in the state, with a deadline to enact these guarantees set for April of 2014. However, once again the government has not come through. While one group of displaced families from the village of Buenavista Bahuitz was allowed to return home, the conditions of their return do not align with the previously made agreements to protect their freedom of beliefs. (An earlier report on the situation can be found here, as well as a 22-minute video clip.) All other communities have seen little to no change.

  VOM Mexico's president, Luis Herrera, who also serves as Director of the Coordination of Christian Organizations in Chiapas State and legal representative for the families of Mariano Matamoros, has been notified by village authorities that they are planning to confiscate the families' private land. This would then leave the members of this Christian community homeless and displaced.

  Please uphold all the Christian families who are facing persecution in various areas of Mexico's Chiapas State. Pray that they will not be deterred by the injustice, threats of violence or any other form of intimidation, but rather further strengthened and renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to move mightily in the hearts of the state's governing officials, granting them wisdom, mercy and a desire to intervene justly. May He also work in the hearts of the antagonizing village leaders, revealing to them spiritual truth and the reality of His life-changing presence so they will realize the error of their ways and come to a point of sincere repentance and salvation. (We are reminded in Acts 9:1-22 of Saul's dramatic conversion.)

• Home At Last!

  Upon returning to their village, some of the families discovered that their homes had been vandalized. Photo: Open Doors International via World Watch Monitor

  Returning to their homeland has proven to be a bittersweet moment for a group of formerly exiled Christian families. Two months have already transpired since the 49 evangelical believers were permitted to resettle in their village of Buenavista Bauhuitz, Chiapas, Mexico. Prior to their return, they had undergone a five-year exile period which was imposed on them by the leaders and authorities of their village; a consequence they suffered for leaving the "traditionalist" church where a blend of indigenous paganism and popular Catholicism is practised. A video report providing more details of their forced expulsion can be viewed here.

  For these enduring Christians, the journey home has come at a great cost as they are now trying to piece their lives back together again. The process began by assessing the damages done to their homes during the absence. Thankfully, they have since been able to reconnect to the community's supply of water, electricity and medical services, all of which had been denied right up to the leading moments of their eviction.

  In addition, the adults of each family must pay a mandatory annual fee (580 pesos or $40 US per family) toward the village's traditional festivals. It was a condition upon their return, but one they consider a small sacrifice to make. They are all just happy to be home again.

  Anthony Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Voice of the Martyrs Canada, said that he hopes the families' return home will be the beginning of reconciliation in the community: "We rejoice with our brothers and sisters who have been granted the ability to return to their homes, but hope and pray that the restoration process will not end here. Livelihood and homes are in need of repair, with communal harmony and acceptance remaining tenuous due to religious differences."

  Praise God for the safe return of these Mexican believers, asking that His protective hand remain upon them as they rebuild their homes as well as their lives. Please continue to lift up these persevering families and their fellow community members in prayer, earnestly pleading for Christ's love to indwell within each of their hearts so community relations between the villagers will greatly improve and eventually grow stronger. May the Lord also touch the hearts of the leaders and authorities within the village -- enlightening them to the truth and wisdom of the Scriptures -- so they can govern the people justly and in a manner that will result in blessing for the entire community.

• Defenders of the Persecuted Face Death Threats

  Pray that the truth of God’s Word will be proclaimed in Mexico.

  A community of believers in Hidalgo State, Mexico, has reportedly been threatened with death for their attempt to inform government agents about persecution towards Christians. The threats were issued in April by "Community Delegate" Jesus Dominguez Hernandez. When the group of Christians from Chichiltepec village presented their concerns, the delegate was noticeably "infuriated" during their meeting and "threatened to kill all of the Christians present," report sources from the Mexican human rights organization, Impulso 18.

  Christians of Chichiltepec village testify that they have suffered for resisting the pressure placed on them by Mr. Hernandez to leave their faith. Among the victims are cousins Casto Hernandez and Juan Placido who were jailed for nearly 30 hours for their refusal, and later ordered to vacate their homes. Casto explains that "because of the delegate's intolerance, he would not allow us to preach the Word of God." The incarcerated believer further states, "He tried to force me to renounce my faith in writing, but I would not do it."

  An International Christian Concern (ICC) advocate insists that the Mexican government needs to "provide justice and protection for victims of religious persecution" while ensuring they are properly "dealing with local and/or state officials that are part of the problem." ICC claims there are at least 70 open cases of religious persecution going on against minority Christian communities in Chiapas, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Puebla and Guerreroalone. VOMC's Greg Musselman recently produced a video report in which he interviewed Christians in Chiapas who were expelled from their homes merely for following Jesus.

  Please uphold our Mexican brothers and sisters-in-Christ as they bravely stand up for their faith, despite the threats and challenges perpetrated against them. May they receive God's strength, comfort and grace in the midst of the spiritual battle. Pray that He will also minister to the afflicters, compelling them to abandon their wickedness and instead surrender their lives over to Him. In addition, ask the Lord to guide the governing authorities, helping them to be sensitive to the struggles faced by Mexico's wrongly treated Christians and mindful of their need for protection and justice.

• Evangelicals Threatened and Displaced in Chiapas State

  Displaced Christians from Buenavista Bahuitz village in Mexico, praising God.

  Local authorities in Chiapas recently issued an official warning to Pastor Antonio Cruz Rodas, ordering him to stop evangelizing in the area. Pastor Rodas has also received death threats. The official document issued by authorities read, "Today we strongly state total prohibition of access to people (who) profess any religion different than the one in our community." Most people in the area practise "folk Catholicism," a syncretistic blend of Catholicism and indigenous practices. While Pastor Rodas says he is not afraid of being killed, VOM contacts have asked that we pray for his continued ministry in this hostile area. Three families have come to faith in Christ, and the pastor has planted two churches in communities similar to this one.

  Meanwhile, another group of 47 evangelical Christians were recently refused re-entry into their village. The believers, who were forcibly expelled from Buenavista Bahuitz village in 2012, were initially told that they could only return to their homes if they converted to this folk form of Catholicism and participated in the community's odd religious activities. After receiving verbal commitments from the state government that the situation would be addressed, the believers set out for the village in the early hours of January 20th by bus, accompanied by some state government officials.

  Upon arrival at Buenavista Bahuitz, the village leaders again demanded that the evangelicals convert in order for permission to be granted. The government officials present were reportedly taken by surprise by the village leaders' stance. Negotiations were held on the spot, and the village leaders eventually agreed to allow the evangelicals to reside in the community if they paid a very high fine. The group declined and went instead to the capital of Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, where they sought refuge at a church. At last report, the believers remained at the church and were receiving assistance from the government and churches in the city. Other evangelical groups have faced similar forced displacements throughout the state in recent months.

  In the midst of opposition and hostility, pray that God will richly bless His suffering children in the Chiapas state with His peace and provision. Specifically, may He strengthen these believers with a deep and secure faith that will serve to extinguish the fiery arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). Ask God to grant courage and wisdom to Pastor Rodas as he continues in ministry. Also request that the displaced believers will be permitted to return to their homes very soon. Finally, pray that any future attempts made by opposing authorities or villagers to stifle the Gospel will fail, and that instead the church in this area will grow exponentially in both faithfulness and number.

  To learn more about the persecuted church in Mexico, read our Country Report.

• Evangelicals Beaten and Imprisoned by Local Authorities

  Four evangelical Christians were unjustly imprisoned and beaten by order of local authorities in Mexico's south-western state of Oaxaca. On November 4th, the municipal president publicly called citizens to "demolish the temple; (and to) lynch, imprison and torture" members of the Pentecostal church in San Juan Ozolotepec. This provoked the abduction and incarceration of Rev. Leopoldo Alonso and three church members the following day.

• Pastor kidnapped

  Pastor Josué Ramírez Santiago Photo from Assist News

  A pastor has been kidnapped by suspected drug traffickers in the city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. At approximately 8:15 a.m. on April 10, a group of men armed with machine guns barged into the Christian Center El Shaddai where some 500 Christians were gathered for a worship service. The men fired guns into the air and grabbed Pastor Josué Ramírez Santiago. The following day, the pastor's family received news that the criminals wanted a ransom of 20 million pesos (approximately $1.6 million CAD). Even if the family could raise such an immense sum, it is unlikely that payment would secure the pastor's safe return. Local Christians have reported that organized crime syndicates and drug cartels often target Christians because they view churches as revenue centers. "Some 100 Mexican or foreign pastors who lived in Ciudad Juarez have had to abandon the city because of the threats and demands for money," said Arturo Farela, director of the National Fraternity of Evangelical Churches. He also noted that many pastors and their families had been victims of extortion, threats, kidnapping and homicide.

  Pray Pastor Josué will be released and safely returned home. Pray for protection for evangelical Christians suffering persecution. Pray for God's peace to reign in regions of Mexico currently embroiled in violence and crime. Pray God's people will be equipped and emboldened to serve their Lord faithfully, even amid great opposition.

  You can find out more about believers serving Christ at great risk in Mexico at theMexico Country Report.