Home At Last!

Upon returning to their village,
some of the families
discovered that their homes
had been vandalized.
Photo: Open Doors International
via World Watch Monitor

Returning to their homeland has proven to be a bittersweet moment for a group of formerly exiled Christian families. Two months have already transpired since the 49 evangelical believers were permitted to resettle in their village of Buenavista Bauhuitz, Chiapas, Mexico. Prior to their return, they had undergone a five-year exile period which was imposed on them by the leaders and authorities of their village; a consequence they suffered for leaving the "traditionalist" church where a blend of indigenous paganism and popular Catholicism is practised. A video report providing more details of their forced expulsion can be viewed here.

For these enduring Christians, the journey home has come at a great cost as they are now trying to piece their lives back together again. The process began by assessing the damages done to their homes during the absence. Thankfully, they have since been able to reconnect to the community's supply of water, electricity and medical services, all of which had been denied right up to the leading moments of their eviction.

In addition, the adults of each family must pay a mandatory annual fee (580 pesos or $40 US per family) toward the village's traditional festivals. It was a condition upon their return, but one they consider a small sacrifice to make. They are all just happy to be home again.

Anthony Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Voice of the Martyrs Canada, said that he hopes the families' return home will be the beginning of reconciliation in the community: "We rejoice with our brothers and sisters who have been granted the ability to return to their homes, but hope and pray that the restoration process will not end here. Livelihood and homes are in need of repair, with communal harmony and acceptance remaining tenuous due to religious differences."

Praise God for the safe return of these Mexican believers, asking that His protective hand remain upon them as they rebuild their homes as well as their lives. Please continue to lift up these persevering families and their fellow community members in prayer, earnestly pleading for Christ's love to indwell within each of their hearts so community relations between the villagers will greatly improve and eventually grow stronger. May the Lord also touch the hearts of the leaders and authorities within the village -- enlightening them to the truth and wisdom of the Scriptures -- so they can govern the people justly and in a manner that will result in blessing for the entire community.

  • 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

  • Christians Displaced Again After Negotiating Agreement
    People are walking uphill, surrounded by trees.
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

    Members of the Great Commission Baptist Church in the Mexican villages of Coamila and Rancho Nuevo have frequently encountered opposition from community leaders for refusing to participate in festivals that go against their Christian beliefs. In March 2024, these difficulties came to a head when Pastor Rogelio Hernández Baltazar was arbitrarily detained, along with other church leaders, for 48 hours. Eventually, 151 believers were forced to leave their homes and find refuge in the nearby city of Huejutla de los Reyes.

    Read more...

  • Displaced Christians Allowed to Return Home
    A congregation in Mexico is standing together.
    A church service in Mexico.
    Photo: VOMC

    On April 26th, 151 members of the Great Commission Baptist Church from two villages in Hidalgo State were forced from their homes because of their belief in Christianity. These believers have experienced years of tension because of their refusal to participate in local religious festivals involving their villages' ancient tribal rituals, drunkenness and debauchery. Prior to the forced displacement, hostile community members physically attacked several of the believers, turned off the power to their homes, banned their Christian children from attending school, and committed many other incidents of intimidation and harassment. (Learn more.)

    Read more...

  • Christians Face Expulsion and Extensive Property Loss
    People are holding a sign at a protest. The sign when translated reads,
    Evangelicals protesting in Oaxaca.
    Photo: CSW
     

    In November 2023, community leaders of San Isidro Arenal, a town located within Oaxaca State, mandated that Roman Catholicism will be the only religion permitted in their community. Following this decision, 13 evangelical families began to experience threats and violence from those opposing them. A month later, three of the families were forcibly expelled and took refuge in the Playa Vicente Municipality of Veracruz State.

    Read more...

  • Displaced Christians Pressured to Accept Agreement
    A white church building is surrounded by trees with a hillside in the background.
    A church building in Hidalgo.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Frankms (cc)

    More than 100 members of the Great Commission Baptist Church in Hidalgo State were recently forced from their homes because they refused to participate in their villages' religious festivals. The Christians took refuge in a government building in Huejutla de los Reyes, where they called upon municipal and state authorities to intervene. For more details on this situation, see this page.

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