Mexico is on the Mexico and Central America region.
Tonalá—A century ago, Samuel Stafford and a group of missionaries from the USA were on their way through southern Mexico to do mission work in Guatemala. However, during the trip the group was detained in Tonalá, Chiapas. When everything was settled, Stafford and his fellow missionaries changed their plans and ventured toward the Mexican communities of Jalisco (now Arriaga) and Calera, Chiapas. It was here Stafford and his fellow missionaries established the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico.
Today, with God's strength and guidance and the faithfulness of many leaders, the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico has 13 districts with 44, 495 members. New missions are being planted, and many churches are regularly taking mission trips of their own to other parts of the world.
A Mexico Field Director, René Jiménez, says, "Today, 100 years after the beginning of the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico, we praise God and thank the missionaries, pastors, and lay people who, together with their congregations, maintained the call of the doctrine of entire sanctification and Christian Holiness. The legacy that Christ gave the Church at Pentecost was the foundation and reason those first missionaries overcame all of their difficulties to& fulfill the Great Commission in Mexico."
On November 20-22, 2003 more than 4,000 Nazarenes gathered in Chiapas to remember God's goodness throughout these 100 years, as well as anticipating a future of growth.
The celebration's opening ceremony was held in Tonalá, Chiapas. An overflowing crowd filled Tonalá First Church 's new facility on Thursday evening. Field Director René Jiménez greeted the crowd and watched the unveiling of two plaques in honor of the centennial and the dedication of First Church 's new building.
Several hundred people then paraded two and a half miles to a nearby soccer field for music, an introduction by Mexico and Central America (MAC) Regional Director Christian Sarmiento, and a challenging message by World Mission Director Louie E. Bustle.
Ministry leaders participated in workshops held in the facilities of Tuxtla Gutierrez 's Poliforum on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Sarmiento, David Graves, director of Sunday School Ministries, Nina Gunter, director of Nazarene Missions International, and Gary Hartke, director of Nazarene Youth International were all featured speakers in their respective ministries' sessions. Several coordinators from the MAC regional office and other national leaders also conducted workshops.
Other highlights included Nazarene Publishing House and a variety of ministries providing booths with helpful information and materials available throughout the weekend. A 175-voice choir from the Central and South Border districts presented special music in a service of celebration. Jesse C. Middendorf, general superintendent in jurisdiction for the MAC region, spoke to a full auditorium Friday night. Additionally, the Northwest district choir presented a dramatic musical about the life of Christ.
A special Sunday morning service included a sermon from Middendorf and the music of the United Choir of Tuxtla. The event concluded with the celebration of Holy Communion. Throughout this time of celebration, the people of Mexico were challenged to continue proclaiming the message of salvation and Holiness of heart and life.
--NCN News