(Update from Chris and Francelia McReynolds in Mexico) We are very thankful to God and the many participants of MeXED conference which took place at the end of September. The Christian Education and Discipleship in Mexico (MeXED) event was hosted by Seminario Teológico Presbiteriana del Sureste (STPS), of Nacajuca, Tabasco, Mexico. The seminary included MeXED as part of its week of celebrating 30 years of faithful service to churches throughout Mexico. The three-day event of fellowship, learning, and connecting was attended by 150 parents, leaders and students from Tabasco and around the country in Mexico and the United States.

Blessing and commissioning of (women L to R) Elizabeth Bermudez, Esther Suarez, Elizabeth Aguilar (Gloria Viveros not present)

Participants expressed thanksgiving for the quality of the teaching and the opportunity to connect with others who shared their biblical view of education and discipleship for families and the nation. We had a wonderful, inspiring, list of speakers organized by Jose Antonio Alvarez, of Semilla and part time professor at STPS and Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

Our keynote was Dr. Jose Gonzalez, of Semilla, who shared about the roots and dynamics of Machismo and Matriarchy that strongly influences families and society throughout Latin America. Other special guest speakers included: Dr. Alvin Padilla and Dr. Milton Nuñez of Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Dr. Ascanio Pegueiro of Pastoral Medical Association, Dr. Huascar de la Cruz of Tabasco, Dr. Cuauhtémoc Angulo Pineda of Tabasco, Lic. Jose Lucero Ramirez, Professor of Law at UNAM, our own Dr. Francelia Chavez de McReynolds of Mexico City, Dr. Jill Thrift of Chrysalis International, Pbro. Amós Cahuich and Pbro. Aldo Chalé of San Pablo Seminary-Mérida, Pastor Abimael Borbolla of Oaxaca and Pbro. Juan Marcos de Leon Sanchez of STPS.

A special highlight of the event was the commissioning and blessing of our four new trainers for the discipleship program, Biblical Foundations of Christian Education and AMO® Program. This program is an apprenticeship for excellence in biblical Christian education, published by Chrysalis International.

Francelia inspiring families and leaders in education at MeXED

We’ve asked, before, for your prayers for Elizabeth Bermudez, Esther Suarez, Gloria Viveros and Elizabeth Aguilar, AMO Trainers who are still finishing up this apprenticeship. Francelia and Jill Thrift spoke with inspiration and passion of our work with AMO in Mexico. Then, Pastors Abimael Borbolla and Aldo Chalé led a moving ceremony calling on God’s blessing and commissioning of the four new trainers.

These women will, potentially, serve families and churches throughout Mexico with education that prepares hearts and minds with God’s principles and vision for life that restores and transforms families, communities and the nation. We ask for your continued prayers for these women.

Dr. Jill Thrift, of Chrysalis International, sharing about the graduate-level course that prepares AMO Trainers

Jose Gonzalez, of Semilla, speaking at MeXED Tabasco

Francelia introducing some of the AMO teachers from local churches in Tabasco

Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Southeast Mexico hosting MeXED in Tabasco as part of their 30th Anniversary week of celebrations