This next Tuesday will mark Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). While not an official U.S. holiday, and not a recognized holiday in Mexico either, Cinco de Mayo celebrates a Mexican military victory over France in 1862. In the states, the day is known more for a general celebration and recognition of Mexican American heritage and culture. Mexican food, parades, and all kind of festivities will surely be carried out next week.
Here in our office, we’re grateful and celebrating our Mexican pastors, our Mexico field, and the field leaders who sacrifice much to help our churches thrive and grow. Juan Santos is our new Mexico field leader, but he's been a stalwart leader and supporter of our Mexico churches a long time now, standing along side our Latino Ministries Director Victor Montalvo. Field Leader Juan, stationed here in the U.S., works closely with our churches in Oaxaca and Veracruz, traveling to Mexico frequently, to help them construct new church buildings, and supporting them with strong leadership.
Juan Santos
Juan's story is inspiring. Growing up in a small town in Oaxaca Mexico, called San Mateo Pinas. Juan knew poverty well, but he didn't know Jesus. After he emigrated to the United States, Juan found a construction job, and made a fair living. That's when Jesus found Juan, and he converted. Around that time, Juan's cousin felt a call to ministry, and the pair realized that San Mateo Pinas didn't have a church. They knew it was their mission to plant. So, they did.
Over the next two decades, Juan would use his construction skills to plant the seeds of Christ by building churches around Mexico in the Oaxaca and Veracruz states. Juan would connect with a local leader who had aspirations of building a church in their small town, and he would work with them to get supplies, and build a stable, cost effective structure that would serve the faith community. More than a dozen churches owe their construction, either in whole or in part, to Juan Santos. 4 of those churches now belong to the CGGC's Mexico field.
For a long time, Juan did all of this out of a burning desire to see Christ made known in small towns across Mexico where few people know the real risen Jesus. More recently, Mr. Santos has found support from the San Diego Church of God Palabra de Vida (Word of Life), and the California Eldership. In partnership with Latino Ministries Director Victor Montalvo, Juan now travels to more than just Mexico to bring his construction expertise to bear for our churches. At time of writing, Pastor Victor and Juan are on their way to Argentina to help expand a church by building a kitchen for our Argentina Field Leader, Maria Grigioni, who wants to see the church feed kids in the local community. That's the kind of beautiful partnership and synergy that our Field Leaders enjoy and rely on.
Over the months of May and June, we’re asking our churches and supporters to help shore up the financial support of field leaders like Juan Santos. Because Juan isn’t alone.
We have field leaders in Kenya, Venezuela, Brazil, Nicaragua, Argentina, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, South and South Central Asia. Our international field leaders, serving within their own countries, carry significant responsibility. They shepherd churches and pastors, often leading large networks, while navigating the unique challenges of their cultural and governmental environments. Many also oversee impactful ministries like schools, outreach programs, and medical initiatives/hospitals, all while investing in people and stewarding resources with care. It’s demanding, meaningful work that requires both perseverance and faith, and it’s often done with limited financial support.
CGGC National Field Leaders
Joseph Mwaura – GR 2833
Liarxi & Mara Alcala – GR 2870
Ernesto Nunes – GR 2806
German & Silvia Baquedano – GR 2850
Denis Droicin – GR 2775
Fremio & Evelin Jiminez – GR 2840
Mexico Field Leader – GR 2844
Maria Grigioni – GR 2601
As ministry continues to expand across our international fields, so do the needs. Increased opportunities for outreach, leadership development, and staffing have created a growing need for support. These fields are positioned for continued impact, and we believe in the leaders God has placed there. Ensuring they are well-supported allows them to stay focused on nurturing the growth God is bringing.
Over this season of growth, as Spring moves to Summer, your generosity can help cultivate lasting impact. Gifts will go toward strengthening ministry efforts across our international fields and providing flexible support for leaders where it is most needed.
Will you join us in this season of growth—helping plant, nurture, and sustain what God is doing around the world?
Give now to SOW seeds in our international fields for generations to come.
CGGC eNews—Vol. 20, No. 18
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