Vision for Oaxaca

“How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony!”
Psalm 133 - New Living Translation

Since before Lily and I were married, God began birthing in both of our hearts a desire to see the nations come together to worship their creator. In the last 5 years, He has shown us what that looks like - within our bi-cultural marriage, and also among our relationships with others from many different cultures.  During this time, He has developed in us a burden for an often-overlooked region of Mexico - the Valley of Oaxaca.

God has placed a strong desire in our hearts to take His message of grace to the people of Oaxaca and to plant a church there. A church that reflects His heart for all cultures and nations, and that lives, worships, and learns together in harmony.  A church that demonstrates God’s inexhaustible love for all people - even those that live in the poorest state of Mexico.

Recently, Oaxaca’s economy has dropped significantly due to a violent teacher’s union strike that lasted 8 months. It was estimated that the state suffered in excess of hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tourist revenue because of this strike.

It is also a state known for it’s many different cultures - 26% of the population is comprised of 18 indigenous groups. However, with diversity there comes prejudice, exclusion, and segregation. Couple that with the climate of disillusionment rampant throughout Mexico and you have a region that desperately needs the grace of God and the hope that comes through relationship with Jesus.

Today there is such a great opportunity to build bridges across these cultures within Oaxaca. Lily and I both feel that this is the time, and that Oaxaca is the place where God wants to use us in demonstrating His grace.