Impacting Saltillo, Mexico with a missional gospel

Impacting Saltillo, Mexico with a missional gospel

We greet you with much affection from Mexico. We are the Sanchez family and serve the Lord as planters of El Camino Church in the city of Saltillo, Coahuila.

Our family consists of myself, Pablo, my wife Asbel, Jose Antonio (5), Marco (4), Amelia (2), and, by God’s grace, we are expecting our fourth son (or daughter) at the end of May.

We live about 185 miles from the U.S. border in a highly industrialized city, particularly in the automotive sector. Saltillo is also characterized as one of the best cities in Mexico, given the economic, educational, social, and security conditions. Although it is a beautiful city to live in and receives many migrants yearly, it is also in tremendous need of the gospel. It has been first place nationally in suicide and divorces. Abortion was approved in 2022, and same-sex marriage has been legal for almost two decades. It is a liberal and secularized city that long ago left religious affiliations searching for a more comfortable life. Saltillenses are more concerned about improving their lifestyle than their eternal destiny.

Our burden for the city and God’s strong call to join His mission have led us to embark on this church-planting adventure, primarily among young professionals. While our mission is not to reach only professionals, we are focused on serving them precisely as they have been a demographic historically neglected by churches and pastors. Currently, there are in our developing community two doctoral students, a master’s degree in psycho-pedagogy, three nurses, a lawyer, and two administrative staff along with some housewives and also children. A more relational and apologetic approach is the right one to reach out to this group. We meet in our garage or the backyard of one of the members, but both spaces have been outgrown. If we were to invite anyone else, there would be nowhere to seat them and no room to put in extra chairs. 

We urgently need adequate facilities for Sunday meetings and the opening of two more homes to launch two more missional communities.

In addition to this work, beginning this January 2023, we collaborate with City to City Latin America, seeking the good of the city through initiatives that encourage the planting of new churches centered on the gospel. The collaboration of leaders and churches for the Kingdom and the development of mercy ministries impact our city with the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The task is arduous and has many challenges, but we are convinced that with prayer and the right collaborations, we will be able to impact Saltillo with the Good News entrusted to us.