Seventh-day Adventists in Montemorelos, Mexico--an economically poor region long considered a "mission area"—are turning old categories upside down as they raise money for church mission work in other areas of the world.
Seventh-day Adventists in Montemorelos, Mexico—an economically poor region long considered a “mission area”—are turning old categories upside down as they raise money for church mission work in other areas of the world. A $55,000 check, earmarked for projects in India, was donated to the world church’s Global Mission initiative in a ceremony December 1 at Montemorelos University Church.
“This achievement demonstrates a remarkable passion for sharing Christianity in hard-to-reach areas of the world,” says Michael Ryan, Global Mission director for the Adventist Church worldwide. Although Adventists in Mexico have themselves benefited from overseas financial support in the past, “they are now turning the tables by making significant contributions to mission outreach programs around the world.”
For the past 15 years, Montemorelos University Church has been trying to raise money to complete its own church building. But in April this year it set a goal of raising $100,000 toward overseas mission projects—particularly for Global Mission work in India.
Ryan visited Montemorelos University November 30 through December 1, along with Armando Miranda, a general vice president of the Adventist world church and chair of the Global Mission board, and Marti Schneider, director for Global Mission programs. They visited with the university’s theology students, held seminars and forums on mission, and on Sabbath, or Saturday, received the donation check on behalf of the world church. In return, they presented a plaque of appreciation to Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, and Omar Velazquez, pastor of the university church.
Ryan says the check from Montemorelos University reflects a growing sense of mission from within traditional “mission fields.” Last year an offering was collected in Adventist churches around the world to benefit an area of the world known as the 10/40 Window, where most of the world’s population live. The Central American region of the Adventist Church exceeded its offering goal, but instead of distributing the excess to local projects, they decided to give it all to the special mission offering.
Established in 1942, Montemorelos University has an enrollment of more than 2,000 students and offers a range of courses including education, theology, dental technology, business administration, medicine, and nursing.