Transforming a Community for Christ; Mexican churches join hands and hearts in unity
Mexico City (LAMNS)--There were banners waving, hands upraised, smiles and tears, old people and children lifting their voices as one in worship, intercession and gratitude. This may not seem so remarkable except that the 450 people present represented 20 Mexican churches of many denominations. This unprecedented “Fiesta Familiar Jesucristo 2001” took place at an outdoor theater in Chiconautla, a hillside community on the outskirts of Mexico City.
Even a couple of years ago, cooperation between churches and denominations was unheard of, not only in Chiconautla, but in many parts of Latin America. Denominational lines have typically made evangelistic efforts disjointed at best and competitive at worst.
One pastor’s vision
Two years ago, when Manuel Vivanco, LAM missionary and pastor of the Iglesia Bautista Bet-lehem in Chiconautla, saw a video entitled Transformations (by Global Net Productions), he caught a vision for what God could do through the united efforts of Evangelical churches that were willing to lay aside their differences for the sake of the kingdom. The documentary visits four cities that have been dramatically transformed by the Gospel-in Colombia, Kenya, California and Guatemala. Manuel saw in these remarkable stories two common threads-focused prayer and unity among churches. If God could radically transform other cities for Christ, why not his city?
Chiconautla (also known as Cuidad Cuauhtémoc), with its population of 500,000 is best described as a “barrio popular.” People came and populated the hillside before there were any services available. For this generally low-income, working-class community, electricity, water and telephone services have become available slowly over time. But still there are many unpaved streets filled with mangy dogs, makeshift homes and shacks, open sewers and dirty, barefooted children.
Having ministered in Chiconautla for almost 15 years, Manuel was well aware of the lack of cooperation between the Evangelical churches. So in November 2000, he contacted the pastors of the 28 churches in the area and invited them to a breakfast at Iglesia Bet-lehem where they were given a copy of the Transformation video. The eight pastors who attended viewed the video together and began praying that God would do the same thing in their midst.
An alliance is born
“I’m amazed and delighted at what God is doing,” says Manuel. “Our initial expectations have already been surpassed. In the past year, the number of churches involved has more than doubled.”
Over the past year at least 20 pastors have participated in different activities of the alliance. Every other month they meet for breakfast and a time of mutual encouragement and planning. The alternate months, they meet for an extended time of prayer-for one another, their churches and their community.
The event on December 1 was the culmination of the year’s intercessory efforts. The goals for “Fiesta Familiar Jesucristo 2001” were threefold: to intercede for the community as one body, to give a positive testimony of unity to the community and to strengthen the bonds of fellowship among the congregations.
The 20 churches represented at least 10 denominations (including Baptist, Apostolic, Presbyterian, and several different Pentecostal or neo-Pentecostal movements). Three churches, including Iglesia Bet-lehem, brought their congregations parade-style, walking through the streets singing and waving banners.
After an extended time of intercession for the community, worship, more prayer and a short message of encouragement on the importance of being one body with many parts, the 15 pastors who were present went forward for a special time of prayer.
Clemente Luna, pastor of Iglesia Monte Sinaí, saw this as a highlight of the night. “It really impressed me how God’s children prayed a blessing on their pastors that day. I think we saw more than we had even hoped for.”
Some holding hands, others with their arms around each other’s shoulders, it was a poignant moment. “I sensed that the Spirit of God was moving in a special way,” commented Manuel, “as the pastors put aside their differences and came together in unity, praying for one another. It was a key component of the event because it was symbolic of our goals.”
“The truth is,” said José Cruz, pastor of Iglesia Cristo es la Verdad, “I’m not surprised-I’m amazed! I really believe that there is a revival from God that is touching all of the churches, all of the pastors. It’s because we are breaking down denominational barriers that previously impeded the work of God in this area. We are seeing the way that pastors are letting go of the misconception that God is only in their church. Christ Himself is changing all of the pastors and I’m amazed!”
Transformation in the churches
Many of the pastors have shared that they now feel more supported. “We share prayer requests and share our needs,” says Manuel. “On a few occasions we have taken up an offering from among all the churches to help with a specific need in one church.”
Networking has been another result of the pastoral alliance. Pastors who previously were suspicious that others would try to “steal their sheep” are now sharing information about people and working as a team to provide the best follow-up possible.
When God moves in the hearts of pastors, their churches and their community, evangelism is one of the natural outcomes. As God sends revival on a personal and congregational level, people begin to shine brighter for Jesus and the unsaved are drawn to this light. Pastor Cruz put it this way: “In ten months since I took over as pastor, there have been eight baptisms, 10 baby dedications and a wedding in my church. You tell me if we’re growing!”
Transformation in the community
In the community itself, the most visible answer to prayer has been in the paving of the streets. It was as the pastors began meeting to pray for the area, and specifically for pavement, that the authorities resumed the project that had been abandoned for so long. Now they are paving streets all over Cuidad Cuauhtémoc!
It’s clear that God has responded in other ways as well. There has been a decrease in crime, which has led to a greater sense of peace in the community. And there is a new openness in people to the things of God. People are going to the Evangelical churches now and asking for help, something not seen before.
Looking ahead
The alliance is actually a fellowship of churches, not just pastors. For the year 2002, their vision is to join together for evangelistic activities that would have a greater impact on the community. There are plans in the works for a “mega-campaign” with many churches involved.
Juan Reyes, pastor of Iglesia Cristo Viene, has caught this vision. “If we want to reach the alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes and gangs in the community, we need to be active in evangelism,” he says. “We want to show them that the people of God are not divided, but one body, reaching out to save those who are lost. We believe that this is the plan in the heart of God and He Himself is bringing it about.”
God has transformed communities around the world as a response to Evangelicals joining together to pray, to preach and to live out their Christian faith. The pastors of the alliance in Chiconautla are confident that they will see many more conversions in the months to come and that God, in response to their intercession, will continue to bless by working signs and wonders, and by healing and saving people.