Witness
Training Leaders in Mexico
The way I see it, the most urgent challenge for young adults from Canada to Argentina is to become disciples of Christ who influence the least reached in other nations.
The vision God has given us for the Matthew Training Center in Mexico is to see hundreds of trained and fruitful workers serving among the nations, making disciples for God’s Kingdom.
It is a privilege to serve on a team with my husband Trever, Jen Schmidt and Sandra Plett. We are committed to discipling and training people from our local churches, as well as other parts of the Americas, so they can reach their communities, injecting vision and hunger for transformation.
Every year, from January to June, Trever and I invite participants of the HADIME Interns program to live with us in our home. They are trained in knowledge and practice of the Word as they learn about their identity in Christ and discover how to live out the purposes of God’s kingdom. The group itself is very multi-cultural. Living in close community brings transformation of character and appreciation for the diverse gifts and abilities of each member. Cross-cultural dynamics are particularly noticeable when interns spend three weeks away from their team ministering in remote, indigenous villages!
This year our interns were asked to plan the second annual Missions Festival for Guadalajara MB churches. They worked for weeks to help organize and prepare workshops, a prayer room, decorations, and the children’s program. They were thrilled when nearly 200 people attended!
It is amazing to see God reach into these young adults’ lives, healing and reviving His marvellous deeds in them.
In the process of serving the Body of Christ, the interns learned much about themselves and the gifts God’s given them.
“During the HADIME Interns program I experienced a transformation of habits, ways of thinking, and acting. God often spoke to me about humility, service and complete trust. I had the opportunity to be a leader for the HADIME Juniors. In my discipleship group with those teen guys, God worked through me to do great things in their hearts. He also used them to bless me! I’m so thankful to God for this program.
Through discipleship and training, God is renewing me. I trust Him completely now as He reaches into my life and leads me in His purposes.”
“Through this internship I have learned to wholly trust in his Holy Spirit. My previous year in Canada, I had spent a great deal of time building habits of trusting in my own abilities and skills. When I moved to Guadalajara, the Lord stripped me of those old habits… My focus shifted to true discipleship, training and serving the Lord.
If you are going to do the Spirit’s work, you need the Spirit of God to work in you!
I cannot save someone, but through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I can give people a small glimpse of what the Lord has to offer. The Lord has reached out to me once again to break down my prideful walk. He is teaching me to lean not on my own understanding and skills, but to trust in His.”
Roberto’s family lived next door to us. Our wives were good friends. They met weekly to read the Bible over coffee. Their son Erik was also friends with our son.
Roberto was absorbed in his work. He didn’t pay much attention to what went on in his family. He believed his role was to provide financially and maintain order. The emptiness in his heart showed in his face.
In February 2010 our MB Church, “Casa de Paz” (House of Peace) organized an outreach event for children. The young adults had prepared a concert with music, dance, puppets and balloons. Some of the children had brought their parents. We were surprised to see Erik sitting in the second row, with his father, Roberto beside him!
During the show, every word that was spoken penetrated deep into Roberto’s heart. When the concert was finished, Roberto gave me a huge hug! “This program wasn’t just for kids,” he said with tears in his eyes. “It was designed to give me exactly what I needed and had been searching for. I found Jesus!” Roberto’s family was one of the first six families who joined our church. That was 16 months ago.
Today Roberto is a strong leader in our congregation. His life and testimony have a huge impact on our community. Many family members have fallen at the feet of Christ because of his testimony.
With the help of leaders like Roberto, the HADIME interns and our young adults’ group, we are able to provide personal discipleship, small groups and Sunday school as well as serving the practical needs of others in the community. What a privilege to serve a God who allows us to partner with Him in the lives of those He is actively seeking!
