Alfonso Martinez* knew God had a plan for him since childhood. An indigenous Mayan from Chiapas, Mexico, he comes from a family who were among the first Christians in his culture. While visiting the national office in March, Martinez told the Record that his “grandmother was my first mentor. She prepared me for this role.”
That role is as a missionary in Eastern Europe – the first sent out by his presbytery in Chiapas. First he had to learn English, which he did in Toronto beginning last October sponsored by the Presbyterian Church. He left for his new mission post in April, for what he hopes will be the next three decades.
Martinez's dream, along with the dream of his church, rests on the call in Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
He dreams of sharing the Gospel as it was shared with him and his people more than 50 years ago. “The missionaries planted a very good seed,” said Martinez. “It grew into a very big tree that bears much fruit. So now we have to plant the seed elsewhere.
“Jesus Christ changed our lives,” he continued, speaking of how his people converted from animism to Christianity. “And it is possible to change the lives of others with Jesus Christ.”
Martinez is part of the Tzeltal tribe, to whom American missionaries brought the Gospel back in 1950. The Reformed Church of America has been one of the main mission partners doing work in Chiapas, Mexico, and has been working with the Chiapas Mission Agency in sending a missionary to Eastern Europe.
It has not been easy. Chiapas is one of the poorest states in Mexico, and locals often wonder why these overseas resources aren't being spent in their own community. The churches in Chiapas do have local mission work, but have been working for 10 years to push their dream further. The annual mission budget is $1 million pesos (or about $95,000 Cdn). To meet this, each church member must give 50 pesos or not quite $5 Cdn a year.
“It's difficult for many people in Chiapas,” said Martinez, whose own congregation has 600 members. “It's difficult for them to see outside their own financial situation. This is our challenge. But it is possible! We must understand the great commission. We need obedience.”
Martinez has a mechanical engineering degree. It is the trade he will practice in Europe while he learns the language and builds relationships.
Presbyteries in Chiapas began the first missionary training school in the state about a decade ago. Five years later, a missionary from Eastern Europe visited the General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, urging them to send a missionary to his area. Along with Martinez, the Mission Agency hopes to send more missionaries overseas, and mobilize other churches in Mexico to take part.
“We are a baby in mission. These are our first steps,” said Martinez, his dark eyes betraying his deep love for this work.
“I am very grateful to the PCC for helping me,” said Martinez. “My prayer is that God touches your hearts to pray for the nations, and I invite you to pray for us, my people in Chiapas, and for my ministry.”
* This name has been changed to protect the missionary from possible persecution.
