This past summer, the Covenant Church of Mexico (known as the IEMP, it’s initials in Spanish) held its Annual National Assembly at a church here in Oaxaca called Rios de Agua Viva. \u00a0The gathering\u00a0included inspiring sessions led by\u00a0John Wenrich, the Director of Congregational Vitality\u00a0of the ECC. \u00a0 John and his wife, Julie, have now visited Mexico\u00a0on three occasions encouraging the church in their efforts to evaluate how they are doing as a church.<\/p>\n
The highlight of the weekend, however, was\u00a0a historic election<\/strong>. \u00a0The Assembly elected a new National Executive Committee, including Marisol Martinez as the President, making this the first time that a woman has been chosen to lead the denomination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We are thrilled to see the Covenant in Mexico affirming the role of women in ministry at every level.<\/p>\n Even more importantly than the church choosing a woman to lead, however, we are excited by this election because\u00a0we know that Marisol is qualified, gifted and committed to serving the Church in this new role. \u00a0Her vision is to see the church grow in healthy mission and discipleship as well as in size.<\/p>\n We had the privilege of serving with Marisol at the Family Development Foundation in Monterrey during the first two years the team was starting the outreach ministry into the neighboring communities struggling with violence and poverty. \u00a0From there she went to serve as the director of The Well, a refuge to women coming out of sex trafficking in Mexico City.<\/p>\n Check out this video of Marisol\u00a0being interviewed by Pia Restrepo and join us in praying for her\u00a0and the 46 churches in 3 districts in Mexico that she has been called to lead.<\/p>\n