Spring Mexico mission trips safe, despite crime warnings_40405

Posted: 4/01/05

Spring Mexico mission trips
safe, despite crime warnings

By John Hall  

Texas Baptist Communications

Leaders of spring break mission trips into Mexico have not reported any hostile incidents despite a recent U.S. travel warning noting an increase in violent crime along the Texas-Mexico border, Baptist General Convention of Texas River Ministry personnel said.

No missions volunteers were attacked or bothered while ministering along the border and in the interior of the nation, said River Ministry Director Dexton Shores. Contrary to the travel warning, most noted the situation seemed similar to years past. Others noticed an increase in security, especially at checkpoints.

Several churches chose to serve only on the Texas side of the border, however, Shores said.

Bradley Maybin, minister to students at First Baptist Church in Amarillo, said he informed parents of the travel warning and gave them a Baptist Standard article in which Shores explained a need to use common sense precautions.

Nearly all of the parents allowed their children to go. The group decided to stay in Presidio this year and travel across the border to serve.

The trip confirmed for the youth that these annual efforts make a difference, Maybin said. One Mexican child brought a photograph that was taken last year of him and the youth group, a clear indication the children remember the Texans. The villagers look forward to the Vacation Bible School and medical clinics. “These kids think about us every year.”

Rob Rolison, who leads Past the Edge Ministries, took more than 20 students from the San Antonio Area Baptist Student Ministry, to Chupaderos, Mexico, in early March. Rolison’s organization cooperates with San Antonio Baptist Association and the BGCT Texas Partnerships Resource Center.

The young people shared their faith, textured walls of a church and conducted a Vacation Bible School. This is one of about 15 sites throughout Mexico where Past the Edge Ministries serves. Many of them are where United States teams have never been. Rolison is now recruiting people to help start apartment churches in Mexico City in early July.

He said he feels “100 percent” safer in Mexico than he does in San Antonio, where he serves part time on the association’s staff. But he does encourage Texas Baptists to stay with leaders who are familiar with the country. It is another nation. Believers should take precautions like it is.

“It’s common sense,” he said. “You wouldn’t go to the border without someone to guide you.”