Mexican pastor pulled from violence in Juárez
Filed Under: CELC, juarez, Mexico, violence
As a result of the increasing drug-related violence in Juárez, Mexico, the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church—WELS' sister synod in Mexico—has decided to pull its national pastor and his family out of the city. The move comes after Rev. Juan Jose, who we can only identify by his first name, and his family received death threats. His last Sunday at his church, Cristo Redentor (Christ Redeemer), was Aug. 31.
"It was hard for both of them to leave," says Rev. Mike Hartman, WELS missionary in Mexico, of Juan Jose and his wife. "They felt like they were letting God down and letting the people down. But sometimes the apostle Paul had to leave a city and give it a little while and get back to it later. That is what we decided was the situation here. You have to take care of your family."
Violence has increased in many areas in Mexico over the past two years due to drug wars. With more than 900 murders this year so far, Juárez, a city of 1.5 million people, is considered one of the most violent cities in Mexico.
According to Hartman, besides fighting each other, the warring drug cartels also target the police and drug rehabilitation centers, which are often connected to churches. In the past month, five pastors in Juárez have been killed or kidnapped.
The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church was trying to open a rehabilitation center in Juárez, and Juan Jose was vocal on his weekly radio program about his desire to help those with drug and alcohol problems.
Since Juan Jose's arrival in Juárez a year ago, Cristo Redentor has grown to more than 50 members, many recovering from drug and alcohol problems. "[People] were just flocking to the church. He had so many contacts with so many people asking him to help them," says Hartman.
Juan Jose is now living in a different city in Mexico, helping cover a vacancy at another church. The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church is using Spanish correspondence Bible studies to continue serving the members of Cristo Redentor. Once a month, another Mexican national pastor or seminary student will travel to Juárez to conduct worship, encourage the members, and analyze the current situation.
"It's all new Christians. They need a shepherd," says Hartman. "Please pray for the members and pray that the violence will subside in Juárez enough so that their pastor can return and keep leading and serving his congregation."
