Global Ministries

In one of my trauma awareness classes, we watched a now-classic test on perception.  It is a video where watchers are asked to count basketballs thrown amongst players dressed in white and black t-shirts.  Most people concentrate on counting the moving balls and fail to notice a big, chest-thumping, gorilla walking across the court.

The God of Life became human to save lives. God becoming human is the fundamental postulate of the Christian religion and the paradigm of intervention from faith.  We can sum it up with the word “incarnation.” This means to share in each other’s skin, to live each other’s lives, to understand their reality and then, and only then, begin the search from there, the path to an exit.

As part of their Mexico Initiative, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana and Global Ministries partnered in a pilgrimage to San Luis Potosí, México, September 28 through October 5, 2019. The participants  immersed themselves in the culture of the area and learned about the work of the Mesa Conjunta (Round Table for Mission Development in Mexico), a space of dialogue and mission from various expressions of Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ congregations in Mexico. These are their daily reflections. 

by Carlos J. Correa-Bernier
Centro Romero

Las Memorias Hostel is a non-profit association founded in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico January 4, 1999. Its mission is to provide quality care, human compassion, and warmth to people living with HIV/AIDS. Las Memorias also carries out educational activities for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Las Memorias Hostel serves every type of person no matter their social status, religion or gender, sexual orientation or identity, whether they are immigrants or from other states in Mexico and rely on a framework of care with dignity with people living with HIV/AIDS. Las Memorias provides housing assistance, food, medicine, transportation to health institutions, and self-help sessions to its clients and residents.

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 5:1 - 12

Prayers for Mexico:

God of love, today, in our beautiful and broken world, we pray for softness. In this world where gentle is often synonymous with weak, and where unfeeling is equated with strength, you bless the poor, the meek, and the merciful. Though our society tells us that wealth and power are markers of success, you bless those who strive for righteousness, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. And so we pray that we too might be soft, tender, and open to your love.

We pray for Mexico, and we pray that we might be good neighbors to our sisters and brothers here – in word, action, and politics. We pray for Melel Xojobal, and that each and every child that comes through this organization feels strong and protected. We pray for the educators that work tirelessly and selflessly to empower and support the children and adolescents of San Cristóbal and the surrounding communities. And we pray that we might really listen to and learn from the children around us, whose voices are tender and too-often silenced.

The Institute of Intercultural Study and Research (INESIN) is a civil-society organization dedicated to the education and growth of the people of San Cristobal, Mexico. INESIN promotes peace in San Cristobal through interreligious and intercultural dialogue by carrying out projects which focus on topics such as the prevention of domestic violence, positive conflict transformation, migration, personal spiritual growth, Biblical translation, and strengthening local communities.

Emergency Care at Theological Education Events

A Biblical Rereading Experience in Two Contexts

Carlos Correa Bernier, Executive Director of Centro Romero, was present for the 2019 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the 2019 General Synod of the United Church of Christ. As part of the workshops, Carlos spoke about the current work of Centro Romero.