Since 2000, when David and JoyceReed arrived in La Paz, they have seen the Mexican Baptist Convention of Southern Baja expand from 6 churches to 11, and three of those are planting new churches.  An interesting fact is that these churches are growing through new believers.  98% of the people joining the Baptist Churches did not previously know Jesus.  One growing church doesn’t have enough space for worship because more than 500 are now coming! The Reeds are equipping and training leaders for these growing churches.

Their ministry to English-speaking people continues to grow by leaps and bounds!  In the last 9 years, they have seen this ministry grow from 8 people that met for a Bible study in their living room to a stable church of 50+ called Crossroads.  The Reeds have seen God glorified through the growth and transformation of many lives.

David writes in a recent journal: Has God ever revealed to you what is in his heart and then poured out a vision about it?  Suddenly, it is like being able to see what you could not see.  It is…defining.  This is what God’s heart is full of and what God has splashed across the horizon in Baja South:
     A high percentage of the population is less than 27 years old = Opportunity
     There are few resources for young people in Baja South = Opportunity
     Government and Schools are asking for help = Opportunity
     There is NO history of full time Youth Ministry among the churches in Baja = Opportunity
     The churches are interested in full time Youth Pastors for the first time = CALLING
     Young leaders sensing a call to minister to youth = CALLING

In October of this year we held a two day youth conference.  None of our Mexican colleagues had ever seen how to program for full-time ministry to youth. 60 young people from the churches gathered.  Mark Larimer, one of the leaders challenged them to become world changers.  20 young people stepped forward, 1/3 of the group!  God splashed his heart all over the place. It is…defining. 

In January of 2012 we begin a completely new work in Baja South: Training and equipping Ministers for Youth Ministry.  It has never been done.  The mission is to provide full time Youth Ministers for the churches.  This has never happened in any of the churches.   God’s heart splashed on the churches.

The demographics show that if this catches fire in the churches and in the streets it will be possible to change Baja South in one generation.  This can become a young generation of followers of Jesus who will influence an entire region.  That’s amazing!

• Pray for David and Joyce as they train and equip leaders of the growing church and as they reach out to those who need the Savior.