‘Tell them that the Kingdom of Heaven is growing in the darkest of places…’

These hope-filled words come from a pastor and human rights defender in Mexico. Some of the CSW global team were able to meet him in person at the start of the year, as well as many others facing violations because of their beliefs. CEO Scot Bower tells us more about the visit to Mexico.

‘If human rights are to matter at all, they must protect even the smallest child in the most remote village.’  I sat opposite an elderly pastor and human rights defender, listening to the translation of his words as they were repeated back to me. I had asked what message he might have for CSW supporters, and the reply had come quickly: the kingdom of heaven is on the move, and human rights matter – to everyone, everywhere. I’ve been reflecting on many of my conversations in Mexico since returning to the UK, but this encounter stood out. Perhaps it was the assurance of his age, or the authenticity of his words as an indigenous Zapotec Christian speaking about a situation he knew well. Next time, he tells me, he would be glad to take me to the mountain villages. Today, though, it is too risky; too dangerous to show up unannounced.

I was in Mexico with CSW team members from the UK and the US, along with colleagues from our Mexico office, Impulso18. During our assignment we met with pastors, lawyers, state and federal government officials, as well as embassy staff. Most importantly we spent time with individuals and communities who faced hostility and harassment after converting away from the majority religion

Driven out of the village

We travelled for seven hours on the mountain roads to Oaxaca and sat with a young family who had been expelled from their community seven years ago. The now adult daughter described the moment she learned that her father had been thrown out of their village.

Her father had been forced into a truck, driven out of the village and left by the side of the road hours away from his home. He then walked home, only to be detained again by members of the village assembly and driven even further away from the village – this time a four-hour journey. The family are now settled in the state capital and rarely visit the

village that their family called home for generations.

After attending a local Protestant church service, we visited an elderly couple with a similar story. This pastor and his wife had been expelled from their community over 30 years ago and had brought up their children in the city. The sense of loss of indigenous identity – particularly for the now adult children, who have since gained a university education and moved away – was palpable.

Stories of expulsion or the threat of exile were relatively common, but the persecution faced by minority communities varied. Some faced fines for refusing to take part in religious festivals, others found their crops destroyed.

Meeting Maria Concepción

In Hidalgo we met with Maria Concepción, who will be known to many CSW supporters. Last year we asked for urgent prayer after a violent attack on Maria Concepción left her in intensive care. Members of her Baptist church had even cleared a plot of land for her burial, as hope was dwindling. 

But our collective prayers were answered: Maria Concepción survived. She told me that her health was much improved, yet she was still experiencing problems with her eyes. Please continue to lift Maria Concepción and her family in prayer. I also had the privilege of meeting Maria Concepción’s pastor – a brave young man whose house had been destroyed in an effort to pressure him to move away from his village. ‘When you convert to Christianity, you lose all your rights in the village,’ he told me.

Training and equipping

Yet there is hope. Everywhere we visited we heard the same message, as all agreed that training was key. Bringing together religious and community leaders to increase understanding of rights and tolerance towards minority groups is desperately needed.

CSW have been invited to lead or contribute to such training in at least five states. And as I spent time with the religious affairs teams in Hidalgo and Oaxaca, I was impressed by their commitment to see change in their states and to work together to ensure the rights of minorities are protected. 

There is much to do and the situation is extremely complex, but there is a willingness to work towards change and CSW are extremely well positioned to help. As my Zapotec pastor friend reminded us: the kingdom of heaven is on the move, and we are committed to bring light where there is darkness – to bring justice and freedom for all in Mexico.

Pray for Mexico using p.10 of the Prayer Diary