Pressure Mounting on Evangelicals in Chiapas

The persecution of evangelical Christians in Mexico's southern state of Chiapas is "accelerating daily in the indigenous regions" according to a February 9 report from Compass Direct. Alfonso Farrera from the National Bar of Christian Lawyers states that most of the problems stem from small town leaders insisting that evangelicals pay a share for the cost of local festivals which include ceremonies that are a blend of traditional native religions and Catholicism. If the evangelicals refuse, they are forced from their homes and their properties are confiscated.

On January 31, three evangelicals from the San Juan Chamula municipality were driving home when they were ambushed and shot at. All required hospitalization. Authorities concluded the raid was because of their faith. Also in January several families in the Los Pozos municipality of Huixtan had their water cut off and lost government assistance grants for religious reasons, according to Gomez Ton, representative of the Alas de Aguila denomination. Local leaders destroyed their water pipes and forbade believers to chop wood. Incidents where believers in Chiapas have been driven from their homes, imprisoned, threatened with hanging and given fines have also been reported.

Pray that the Christians in Chiapas will find a peace that passes understanding in the midst of this ongoing pressure (Philippians 4:7). Pray that these believers will be able to be a testimony of God's love and grace to those around them.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Mexico, click here.
  • Country Information

    Population
    129,875,529 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) (62), Predominantly Amerindian (21), Amerindian (7), other (10)

    Religion (%)
    Roman Catholic/Syncretism (78) Evangelical (11.2) unaffiliated (10.6)

    Leader
    President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (2024)

    Government type
    Federal presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system with US constitutional law influence; judicial review of legislative acts

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Mexico

    Pray that the Christians residing within these regions will exemplify the grace of God toward those who oppose them. May these believers be further strengthened and encouraged to continue faithfully sharing the Gospel and demonstrating the love of Jesus. Ask the Lord to abundantly bless and multiply their efforts, resulting in a great harvest of lasting spiritual fruit in the lives of those within their communities and beyond – impacting the nation of Mexico as a whole.

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Mexico News

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