equip the Church

500 Pastors. 3,000 Books. One Mission.

Sinaloa is a region most people only know from headlines about cartel violence. What doesn’t make the news is the quiet, faithful work of pastors in the villages and rural pueblos of this state — men who love God’s Word and shepherd their people with almost no access to solid theological training or resources. It’s a poor and under-resourced part of the world, and it was exactly there that God gave us the opportunity to serve.

When 500 pastors gathered at the Planted Conference (PORTAVOCES) in El Fuerte, Sinaloa, each one walked away with 6 carefully selected books — resources that will give them continued training in biblical knowledge and help them grow in their understanding of Scripture. In economically challenging contexts like Sinaloa, where pastoral salaries are often modest, building a personal theological library can be difficult. This distribution was an investment in their ongoing growth as shepherds and teachers.

Why This Matters

For five centuries, Mexico’s religious identity has been shaped by a unique form of Catholicism — one that blends Catholic imagery with indigenous spiritual practices. Nearly half of Mexican Catholics maintain beliefs in the evil eye, reincarnation, or magic, convictions far removed from biblical Christianity.

But something is changing. While Mexico still has the world’s second-largest Catholic population, the percentage of Catholics has declined from 98% in 1950 to just 78% in 2020. Evangelical and Protestant churches are growing, particularly in areas where the Catholic Church’s presence has historically been weak. Faithful pastors are laboring to bring biblical clarity to communities where, for generations, religious truth has been filtered through layers of tradition and syncretism.

Many of these pastors serve in economically challenging contexts where resources for ministry are limited. Access to quality theological training and good books can be difficult, yet these men carry the vital responsibility of teaching Scripture faithfully and shepherding their congregations with care. For them, solid biblical resources aren’t supplementary — they’re essential tools for the work of ministry. A good commentary helps them rightly divide the Word. A systematic theology gives them a framework for understanding Scripture. A devotional classic models pastoral care.

The Partnership

Planted Ministries Mexico is committed to nurturing a deep connection with God and the local community, cultivating spiritual growth and inspiring transformation through worship, prayer, and outreach. When we partnered with them to distribute 3,000 books at their conference, we weren’t just giving away paper and ink. We were equipping shepherds. We were investing in the future of the Mexican church. We were partnering with men who are on the front lines of bringing reformation to a nation still emerging from centuries of spiritual darkness.

An Unexpected Door to Peru

One of the most encouraging parts of the trip was watching God open a door beyond Mexico’s borders. Before the conference ended, we were personally invited to partner with the Proclamation Conference, an annual event in Lima, Peru. It’s a real encouragement — and I believe it’s the Lord’s hand opening a wider field for this ministry.

Momentum Across Latin America

God seemed to be knitting several conversations together during this trip. Felix Cabrera of the Endos Network reached out to explore a partnership. His network serves lower-income pastors across Latin America, and for many of these men, the kind of theological resources we provide aren’t a supplement to their training — they’re filling a genuine gap in it.

I also had extended time with Costi Hinn, who was encouraged to learn more about this work and the impact it’s having across the region. And in a conversation I didn’t expect, I had the privilege of meeting with the family who owns Family Tree Farm, who were equally encouraged by what they heard.

None of these were planned strategic meetings. They were the kind of conversations that happen when you show up and serve faithfully, and God provides the connections in His own timing.

How You Can Pray

• Give thanks for the 500 pastors equipped and the 3,000 books placed into their hands in Sinaloa, and for the open doors God provided through this trip.
• Pray for wisdom as we prayerfully consider next steps with Planted Ministries in Peru and with the Endos Network across Latin America.
• Pray for the pastors themselves — that these resources would bear fruit in their preaching, their shepherding, and the health of their churches for years to come.

Thank you for standing with us in this work. I covet your prayers more than you know — it’s your faithfulness in interceding for this ministry that God is using to equip His Church, one pastor and one region at a time.