As we continued our pilgrimage in Tlancualpican part of the day we spent learning about the Methodist Church in Mexico. Perhaps you might not know the Methodist here are not "United Methodist" as they were united well before the Methodist in the United States. Here "South of the border," both the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church of the South established their ministries in Mexico in 1873. However, in 1930, the two merged to become the Methodist Church of Mexico.
Today there are about 50,000 people who call themselves Methodists in Mexico, with another 50,000 who attend services regularly. Mexico remains overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with nearly 90% of the population with ties to the church, however the ties are not necessarily all that strong. We have also learned in some areas, the Roman Catholic priests will preach that all Protestant Churches, not just Methodists, should be considered cults. And in certain places there have been some unfortunate conflicts. Still there are some 320 Methodist Churches in Mexico, 40% in rural areas, another 40% in small towns, and 20% in cities, like Puebla, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City.
Last evening was "Church Night" as our group led the service at the Templo Gesthemi in Puebla. Mercy Street Youth Pastor Landon Schott gave the message about God's power which was translated in spanish as he spoke. As we prepared for our visit, the team prepared a short drama which incorporated some local actors which was directed by Ted Deforges. We shared some arts and crafts with the youth and many adults, then dined on hot dogs in the cool night air. There were plenty of smiles as the folks walked back to their homes.
It's hard to believe the week is wrapping up. We'll spend another day working and then head back to Puebla Saturday and then catch a flight to Houston early Sunday morning.
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