Stories from the Field

July 2004

God in Guadalajara
By Phillip Herrington, Student Minister, FBC Live Oak, Fla.

It was an awesome week to say the least. M-Fuge in Guadalajara was incredible. But I am not necessarily talking about their living conditions and lack of proper utilities. I am talking about their need for Christ. Guadalajara is called the Heart of Darkness. There is a reason. With almost 8 million people, 60 percent under the age of 25 and only 2 percent professing Christians, maybe you begin to understand.

We did see 12 people (that we know of) come to know Christ. For some you may say that is not a lot. I guess that depends on how valuable is just ONE person coming to know Christ. Eight of those 12 were teenage guys and four were moms who came to watch what we were doing with their children (Vacation Bible School). All in all a tremendous week.

I think the biggest part of the week for me was the reminder and confirmation that being on mission for Christ is not about going to Mexico ... although that is part of it. Being on mission for Christ is about being obedient. Thus, it is not an option just for those who like going.

The 8 guys who accepted Christ ... it all began because they were playing the guitar beside the road and a student from Fuge walked across the street with a translator and began to talk about the guitar (because he plays too). From that, a conversation started. They let him play and the translator sang the praise and worship choruses in Spanish. It wasn't because the American student was in Mexico that God moved, it was because he was obedient when God's Spirit said go. ‘Nuff said.