“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23

Like so much of our world, communities across Latin America are battling inequality, financial insecurity and corruption. The impact of the pandemic is still strongly felt across the continent, with many having suffered job losses and financial crisis. This is coupled with growing political dissatisfaction and a rise in organised crime in many parts, that is having a devastating impact in local communities.

Christmas, however, reminds us that there is hope, because God is with us. 

Our Latin Link members are on the ground serving in these communities across Latin America, introducing people to the God that is with us through their ministries. Members like Joel and Mayra, whose story you can read below, are joining in with God’s mission and bringing hope to their community in Puebla in Mexico, and beyond.

Your support can help to sustain and expand our vital work. Donate today to help us share the life changing message that God is with us to people across Latin America.

Christmas in Mexico

For Joel and Mayra Gonzalez Gomez, Latin Link members serving in Puebla, Mexico, Christmas provides a unique opportunity to talk with their local community about the incarnation of Jesus and the significance this miraculous event has for our salvation.

Joel and Mayra started a church plant in their garage in 2021, and they now have around 15-20 people attending each week. It has been a joy for them to see what the Lord is doing in the lives of those who come along. This Christmas, they are seeking to share the message of hope – of Immanuel, God with us, through acts of service and Christmas gatherings.

This feels especially important this year because, for much of Mexico, the impact of the pandemic is still strongly felt, with many having suffered job losses and financial crisis. Coupled with a growing political dissatisfaction and a rise in organised crime, this is having a devestating impact in local communities. Joel and Mayra’s desire is for their fellow Mexicans to know the deep rooted hope we have in Jesus, and to find strength in the God that is with them through it all.

Joel and Mayra said: “Being part of Latin Link has provided us with a deep sense of community and belonging, as we are part of an international community who share our same goals and values for Christian mission. The holistic support that we have received from and through Latin Link, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and practically, has given us the fuel to endure and persevere in our ministry in Puebla for the last nine years now, and to do so with some measure of success. To God be the glory!

We have also been incredibly blessed to have a number of short-term missionaries on placement with us, via Latin Link’s Step and Stride programmes, who have helped us strengthen our ministry in local schools, orphanages and church plants. Having people come to serve in this way helps to demonstrate to local churches and the local people that God is with us, that we are not alone here in Mexico, and that we are part of God’s big mission story.

The support we receive from Latin Link not only makes a huge difference to our lives, but also to the lives of the people we are seeking to serve. People like Dylan and Alexis, young leaders that have been supported by our ministry and are now helping drive forward the church plant San Pablo in Puebla. Also, we have paved the way for Raul, a well-known local pastor who is now in charge of the new local church network across central and south Mexico with a strong focus on equipping local leaders and helping them to be accountable and supported in their ministries.

We were also able to demonstrate to local unchurched families facing financial hardship, that is so common in our community, that they are not alone, as we provided food parcels or help with gas and electricity bills, when required.

We simply couldn’t do what we do here in Mexico, without your support. By supporting Latin Link, you are stepping into the story of God’s mission, enabling transformative support of ministries and members across Latin America.”