Over 100 Christians Forced from Their Homes

A white church building is surrounded by trees with a hillside in the background.
A church building in Hidalgo.
Photo: Wikimedia / Frankms (cc)

For several years, community leaders in the villages of Coamila and Rancho Nuevo, which are both located within the state of Hidalgo, have been inciting trouble for members of the Great Commission Baptist Church – pressuring them to participate in festivals that go against their beliefs. In December 2022, one of the non-compliant members was admitted to hospital after being tied to a tree and beaten. Additionally, since 2018, the children of church members in these villages have been banned from attending school.

After years of tension between village leaders and members of the Christian community, matters came to a head this spring. On March 25th, Pastor Rogelio Hernández Baltazar and other church leaders were arbitrarily detained for 48 hours. Subsequent to their detainment, five plots of land belonging to members of the church were taken over by village leaders in early April.

Since then, church members have been attacked on several occasions, and three families were prevented from returning to their homes. Furthermore, 139 church members – including at least 70 children – were forced to flee their homes on April 26th after village leaders cut off their electricity. The church building was also vandalized, and guards were posted at the entry points of the two villages in order to keep church members out.

The displaced Baptists are currently being sheltered in a municipal building in Huejutla de los Reyes where they are requesting assistance from the government. Local churches are providing humanitarian aid and have joined in the call for governing municipal leaders to intervene. For more reports on persecution in Mexico, go to our country report.

Please prayerfully uphold these displaced Mexican believers, asking God to provide for their practical and spiritual needs. As they determine what steps to take next, may they receive greatly needed guidance, encouragement and strength. Pray that the state government will also respond to the 'call for action' by ensuring these persecuted Christians are duly granted 'freedom of belief,' and thus treated respectfully by village leaders – particularly in areas of Mexico where communities practise a combination of ancestral indigenous beliefs with traditional Catholicism. As a result, may peace and justice be upheld throughout the country.

 

  • 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

  • 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.

    Read more...

  • Over 100 Christians Forced from Their Homes
    A white church building is surrounded by trees with a hillside in the background.
    A church building in Hidalgo.
    Photo: Wikimedia / Frankms (cc)

    For several years, community leaders in the villages of Coamila and Rancho Nuevo, which are both located within the state of Hidalgo, have been inciting trouble for members of the Great Commission Baptist Church – pressuring them to participate in festivals that go against their beliefs. In December 2022, one of the non-compliant members was admitted to hospital after being tied to a tree and beaten. Additionally, since 2018, the children of church members in these villages have been banned from attending school.

    Read more...

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