Northwest Chapel has several missionaries serving around the world, engaging Jesus and other every day for eternal impact. We're spending this season highlighting each -- where they're serving, how they're uniquely sharing the Gospel, and how we can cover them in prayer.
Mariano & Margarita Azcarate | Central and Southern Mexico
Background
The Charis movement (Grace Brethren) began in the Northwestern part of Mexico in the 1950s, specifically in Northern Baja California, just South of San Diego. But there were dreams of starting new churches in Central and Southern Mexico, that came to fruition in the 1960s. Missionaries Phil and Amy Guerena, along with their three children, Laurie, Philip and Martin, arrived in Mexico City, where the first Charis church was planted. Since then, more than 20 churches have started in eight different states in Central and Southern Mexico.
Under the Azcarates’ and Bakers’ leadership, there is now a group of leaders gathering for encouragement and training with a vision of expanding the Gospel through the multiplication of churches that will unite the Northern and Southern church planting movements. Martin and Kristy Guerena also served in Mexico City in church planting and leadership development when they served as missionaries from 1989-1996. After that time, Martin and Kristy came back to Northwest Chapel, where Martin has been serving as the Pastor of Outreach and Missions to this day. Their son Daniel Guerena was born in Mexico City in 1995.
Praise & Prayer Requests:
During the pandemic crisis, the government has limited church attendance. As a result, smaller groups have multiplied, and consequently more people are coming to know Jesus and the churches are growing. Praise God! This is strengthening the church; the Azcarates and other leaders have embraced their mission with greater passion and dedication. Pray for continued church growth.
Pray for economic recovery and blessing. The pandemic has created an economic depression that is affecting families and communities. Please pray that the brothers and sisters affected will remain strong and faithful in the face of this storm, and that God would provide for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Pray for Mariano and Margarita, as they battle COVID-19. Mariano has tested positive, and Margarita is showing symptoms. Please pray for strength, peace and comfort as they go through it and also pray for a full recovery.
Visit our Missions Page for More
We have missionaries from Northwest Chapel serving around the world! Be sure to visit our new Missions page for more information, including a list of all our missionaries and how you can keep them in prayer.
LUKE 10:2 "He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
