Mexico

Field Office Information

C&MA Field Entry in 1954

Field Director:

Tim Greenfield

Mailing Address:

Apartado 155-63 Col Independencia Naucalpan 53831
Edo de Mexico, MEXICO

Phone:

Email:

[email protected]

Website:

National Church

The Christian and Missionary Alliance of México: 30 organized churches, 33 unorganized groups, 7 ordained ministers, 4,700 baptized members, and 6,800 inclusive members

Team Initiatives

• N/A

Alliance Workers Safe amid Violence in Guadalajara

2012-09-05 14:28:06

Last week, 22 “narco blockades” occurred in the state of Jalisco, seven of them within a two-hour period in the Guadalajara metro area, according to Alliance international workers in Mexico. These blockades, which impede the military from responding to drug-related violence, are becoming increasingly common.

“There are conflicting reports about what motivated the torching of cars, buses, and semis on major roads, but there is no doubt that the drug cartels were behind it,” the workers write. “One blockade was less than a mile from one of the Alliance churches.

“Church people who live nearby said they heard sirens and helicopters flying overhead. No one was killed, but much damage was done.  Fortunately, we do not feel threatened or that our ability to move about in or outside the church has been altered.”

What You Can Do

• Pray for protection of Alliance workers, their national colleagues, and Alliance church members. Also, pray that people’s frustration and insecurity will open hearts to the gospel.
• Learn more about ministry in Mexico by reading “Just Across the Rio,” by Doug Shehane, in the November 2009 issue of Alliance Life.

Demographics

Population

Population--106,202,903 Infant mortality rate--20.9/1,000 Life expectancy--75.2

Capital City

Mexico City (21,233,900) pop.

Geography

Almost three times the size of Texas, Mexico (761,602 sq. mi.) has a wide range of topography and rainfall ranging from arid northern plateau, central volcanic plateau, and the southern mountains and rain forests.

Languages

Spanish, Mayan, Nahuatl, other indigenous languages

Ethnicity/Race

Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish)--60%; Amerindian--30%; White--9%; other--1%

Economy

Per capita income--$9,600 Inflation--5.4% Unemployment--3.2% Literacy rate--92% (2003 est.)

Government/Political Climate

Federal republic. Mexico gained independence in 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery, but ongoing concerns include low wages and underemployment.

Religion

Nominally Roman Catholic--89%; Protestant--6%; other--5%