Evangelism on the Edge in Mexico - Interview with Area Director James Guerra

On the Wednesday before Easter of 2017, James Guerra and his team of missionaries set out for the city of Reynosa in  Tamaulipas, Mexico. The plan was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with inmates in the city's prisons, something James has been doing for nearly 20 years. Prisons in Mexico are a very dark place, and the inmates there are often very hungry for hope. What better hope to bring than the hope of God's salvation?

Despite the city bordering the state of Texas, Reynosa is known for its violence and lack of government presence. The Mexican cartel is the entity with the most control over the city, and the government that is in place is corrupt. Things are getting better, James says, but it's still a dangerous place.

The law enforcement that does exist in Reynosa is militaristic, 

making it commonplace to see well-armed officers patrolling the city.

James is no stranger to the evil of the Mexican cartel--in fact, an extended family member of his who lives in Reynosa was recently kidnapped by the cartel and held at a ransom of 18,000 pesos (about 1,000 American dollars). The family was able to pay the ransom because they were saving up to throw his daughter a Quinceanera, but no law enforcement got involved with the crime.

There are no organizations sending missionaries to Reynosa prisons due to the danger involved, and very few organized trips to the city itself. Beforehand, James made sure to inform his team of what they were getting themselves into, of the inherent risks involved with this mission trip. Come at your own risk, he says.

When James and his team arrived in Reynosa on Thursday, they began their mission trip by ministering in a rehab facility. Most people in the facility were drug addicts seeking their own help, and the team gave a two-hour Bible study on the kingdom of God. Everyone was encouraged, says James.

James Guerra and a team member preaching at the rehab facility in Reynosa.

On Good Friday (Viernes Santo), the team got the chance to watch a drama put on by a local church's children's ministry. It depicted the Passion of the Christ and James says it was the best drama he'd ever seen of the best story ever told. It touched his heart and he's confident it touched God's heart as well.

On Saturday, the team would get to do what they came to do: minister to inmates in Reynosa's prisons. Now, James says that Mexican prisons make American prisons look like daycare centers. There isn't anywhere near as much staff in Mexican prisons as there is in the US, and most of the guards simply prevent anyone from escaping. Inmates are not provided with much in Mexican prisons--in fact, the American government spends about 40 times as much money per inmate per day than the Mexican government does. The lack of control and care in Mexican prisons has allowed the cartel to have a presence within its walls, dealing drugs and other contraband on a regular basis. For an accurate depiction of the realities of the Mexican prison system, James suggests watching the movie Get the Gringo.

James Guerra with his team outside one
of the prisons in Reynosa, Mexico.

Because of all the harsh differences between American and Mexican prisons, James says, prison ministry in the US and prison ministry in Mexico are two very different experiences. The team began their work on Saturday with that in mind.

They started Saturday off by putting on an Easter service in a women's unit, consisting of worship music, an Easter poem, James Guerra's testimony, and a message from Ron Corrigan, who was on his first ever prison ministry to Mexico.

After that, they went to the Men's prison. There, in conjunction with an inmate pastor, they provided same Easter service to the inmates followed by a very special time of prayer at the altar. The presence of the Lord moved mightily, James says, touching at least 50 people. God's mercy was alive and well within the prison walls, leaving believers encouraged and giving new life to those who received salvation that day!

James performs the wedding ceremony at
Victory Home Church in Reynosa.

On Saturday night after leaving the prisons, James, alongside Michael Scudiero, performed a wedding ceremony for two friends who have been involved in the local Victory Home Church in Reynosa. James is grateful for the relationships he's made throughout his years ministering in Mexico.

Easter Sunday began with four baptisms of new believers at VHC. Missionary Tim Brannon, on his second trip with James, got to preach the Easter message that morning. After it was all said and done, James and his team headed back to the US. On the way back, they stopped at South Padre Island to reflect on all the Lord had done over the course of the trip and admire his creation.

James continues to do these kinds of mission trips on a regular basis. He asks for prayer that there will be an opportunity for an international Bill Glass Behind the Walls event in the near future. There is much work still to be done in Reynosa and in all of Mexico, and BGBTW could have a huge part in bringing the Gospel to those who are hurting and in need in Mexican prisons.

If you want to sponsor a potential international BGBTW event, contact James Guerra at 214-883-3601. True to his dedication to minister in Mexico, James is going back in July, September, and over Thanksgiving. Pray for safety and blessing as he does God's work in places where many others aren't.