Casa de Restauración Shalom Church of the Nazarene inaugurated and dedicated Reto a la Juventud Shalom Rehabilitation Center on 12 September 2026 in San Francisco Acuexcomac, Mexico. More than 100 Nazarenes joined the celebration along with representatives from Global Teen Challenge and Reto a la Juventud México. The new center seeks to provide comprehensive care for people and families affected by addiction.

The story began when members of Agua Viva Church of the Nazarene in Texcoco saw an opportunity to share the gospel with people facing challenges related to alcohol and drug use. Humberto Villegas and Eréndira Carmona were sent to serve this community on a weekly basis.

Over time, they realized that many people they were accompanying needed more than spiritual support; they also needed a safe place to develop new habits and receive care throughout their restoration process.

This experience eventually contributed to the birth of Casa de Restauración Shalom Church of the Nazarene, whose ministry has focused on walking alongside people and families affected by addiction, violence and other vulnerable situations.

In the years that followed, the church continued serving in rehabilitation centers and other community settings. These experiences strengthened a vision that gradually began to take shape.

“As a church, God was calling us to go deeper,” the leaders said.

In 2024, the church connected with Global Teen Challenge. Through this relationship, the team received training and began the process that eventually led to the opening of Reto a la Juventud Shalom.

The center is designed to provide residential care for up to 45 women between the ages of 18 and 59 who are facing challenges related to alcohol and other substance use. The residential program lasts six months and includes medical and psychological care, addiction counseling, physical activity, Christian values-based training, vocational workshops, recreational activities, Bible studies and other educational opportunities.

The center also provides support for families, as well as outpatient addiction counseling and Christian family counseling for adolescents and adults. Its team can also offer prevention and educational talks for churches, schools and institutions upon request.

Reto a la Juventud Shalom has already begun receiving people while continuing to complete the preparation of some of its spaces.

During the inauguration, Carmen Nochebuena, a representative of Reto a la Juventud México, shared the principles that guide the organization and its purpose of contributing to the comprehensive restoration of people.

Clemente Ríos Hernández, national director of Reto a la Juventud México, also recognized the commitment of Humberto Villegas and Eréndira Carmona.

For Casa de Restauración Shalom, the opening of the center is the continuation of the church’s vision to respond in practical and spiritual ways to the needs of the community.

The Church of the Nazarene in Mexico celebrates this new step and continues affirming its commitment to proclaim the gospel while compassionately serving people and families facing vulnerable circumstances.

–Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region