Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Drugenomics or Religious Persecution?

     Persecution of religious bodies is nothing new in Mexico, dating from before "Los Conquistadores" invaded Mexico from Spain till the present day. The rampant harassment of indigenous Christians in the State of Chiapas dates back to the first efforts by "los evangelicos" in the first half of the last century. 
     Though Christians in many States of Mexico have suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ, there is a new trend in the aggression against churches there, and it appears to have nothing to do with theological differences at all.
     At a recent OLE Church Planters board meeting, after a challenge to the board to pray more for believers around the world being persecuted for their faith, a question was raised.  "Are we seeing any aggression against churches in Mexico as a direct result of the current 'drug wars'?"
     Attending the meeting was one of our Hispanic church planters.  The chairman referred the question to him, and the following account is what he shared with the board:
     In a recent trip to Northern Mexico, the church planter made contact with a Mexican pastor and his congregation.  The purpose was to distribute needed items to children in the vicinity ministered to by that particular church.  The distribution of said items is used as a tool to make inroads into communities to reach more souls for Christ, as well as for meeting practical needs.  This has been an ongoing, annual outreach by our church planter and his team.
     The church in the story being related was a rather large church, and had obviously benefited from relationships with congregations in the U.S. who had sent "short-term mission teams" to help in construction projects, etc.  Some time after the visit being related by our church planter, the pastor's son was kidnapped.  A large sum was demanded, far and away beyond the family's or the churches' ability to pay.
     That information was relayed to the kidnappers and their response was to kidnap the pastor's second son and to double the ransom amount.  A similar answer was communicated to the kidnappers who responded the third time by kidnapping the pastor himself and again, doubling the ransom required for the release of all three, the pastor and his two sons.  Of course the church nor any family could meet the amount and as a result, all three lost their lives.
     In another church, three men entered into a regular church service and during the worship time, rose to their feet, pulled out pistols and demanded they be handed the tithes and offerings received that day, and stated that they had no desire to harm anyone.  The congregational leaders complied and the three men left without further incident.  As a result of this and other similar incidents, churches are cutting back on their services and keeping doors locked except when members are entering or leaving.
    In one incident, the three family members lost their lives.  In the other, a small amount of money was taken.  It does not appear that in these cases, religious beliefs had anything to do with the attacks, but rather, appears to be a simple desire for money, based on drug-driven greed.  One thing in common with the churches in these two incidents is their connection with U.S. churches.  There seems to be a belief that through the Mexican churches, there is financial access to our American dollars which can easily be intercepted by kidnappers and other thugs to fund the drug cartels.  It is believed that in the first case, the kidnappers actually attended several worship services to "case" the church and plan the kidnapping.
    So, the need for our prayers for Christians being persecuted in other countries does not only include those who are persecuted for their faith, but also in a more general way.  We need to pray that God would place a hedge of protection around His own in Mexico, a hedge that still permits the LIGHT to shine out into the surrounding darkness of fear brought on by the "drug wars" and that calls souls to the feet of the Savior.  Our Spanish-speaking brethren to the South will need our prayers for discernment and boldness as well.


   

Monday, January 3, 2011

New Year, New Life!!

Talked to Pancho (Francisco, one of our church planters) this morning.  Their New Years eve service lasted from 9 p.m. till into the next day.  One attender who had accepted Christ, was baptized into Him at 12:30 a.m. on New Years!!  Is that a great way to start the year or not?
Pancho works in Yamhill County with services and training program located at Newberg Christian Church, and also in Tigard.