The work of Christian Reformed missionaries in Mexico has recently been going through a crisis. Especially in this concluding article on Missions in Mexico, Rev. Neal Hegeman helps us to better understand the problems of our mission there. The Hegemans are at present at Apartado 100, San Francisco de Dos Rios, San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America.

In the 2 preceeding articles on Mexico we observed that the CRC mission entered Mexico upon contact with migrants in the late 50’s. There was follow up work and an invitation to work with the IPC (Independent Presbyterian Church). After official arrangements were completed in 1963 the CRC mission developed its mission program in Mexico, largely in the context of the IPC. Development of education, evangelism, mission–church work, relief and development work and para-church programs were very encouraging. The discouragement was in the area of Church growth where the IPC showed very little growth. The CRC mission had neglected a major part of its mandate, that 1n the area of church planting and development. Even though courageous efforts were made, as recorded in Rev. Greenway’s book, A n Urban Strategy For Latin America, more work and working with the IPC was needed. The next phase of the CRC mission in Mexico can be called the readjustment stage. The CRC mission needed to redirect and readjust her focus toward the national church. If one of the main reasons for missions was for the Church to grow then the CRC mission work would have to be directly involved in that.

The Readjustment Stage (1974–1980)

By 1975, 5 out of the 8 original pioneer missionaries, who came during the years of ’62–’67, and 5 of the 19 follow-up missionaries who came during the years of ’68–’73, were left on the field. In 1974 there was an influx of other missionary staff such as Dr. D. Oostendorp, Rev. Doyle, Rev. Hogan, Mr. Schuur, and Mrs. Silvai. The Seminary, CRWRC (World Relief), Christian School, the work in northern Mexico and the educational programs were reinforced by the entry of the new missionary personnel. The reinforced situation started to deteriorate by 1978 as Rev. Bergsma moved to Honduras to establish the new Theological Education by Extension program. Rev. Lagerwey, who was working with the Extension program in Mexico City returned to the USA. Miss Gritter took over leadership of the Extension programs which by now had developed into an international project called CITE. Rev. Doyle and Rev. Hogan left the northern Mexico work in ’78 and Rev. Ruis returned to the USA m 1980, adding to the insecurity of the northern Mexican field. In 1976 the Christian school closed due to lack of interest and cooperation among missionaries. In 1979 Jack Roeda joined the Spanish BGH (Back–To-God Hour radio) team. At the beginning of 1980 there were 21 missionary personnel (including wives) in the Mexican field as compared to 31 in 1974.

The CRC mission was trying to make readjustments in its work with the IPC. The seminary was operated by a board on which nationals were represented and in leadership positions. Evangelism was done under the direction of local IPC churches. The missions encouraged the formation of the Synod in 1979. Unfortunately, the IPC did not think the CRC was adjusting enough. Not enough of the mission programs were under the direct authority of the IPC. There were questions about the seminary, the CITE program, the work of the CRC outside of the IPC. During the summer of 1980 the bombshell hit: The IPC synod asked that 6 missionaries leave the field. This would leave only 2 ordained and 2 unordained workers in the field: Rev. L. Roberts, Rev. J. Van Ee, Mr. J.P. Robert, and Mr. L. Korf.

What will happen to the work of the CRC mission in Mexico? Will the CRC face the same moratorium other North American Churches faced in 1972 with the National Presbyterian Church? Is this the reward of 17 years of hard work and dedicated service of the CRC in Mexico? Of course not, if one sees this crisis as part of the adjustment stage the CRC mission was going and has to go through. The IPC dramatic and irrational action serves to speed up this process. Unfortunately, the un-Christlike manner in which the mission was dealt with offended and hurt many missionaries and nationals alike and these actions of resentment and dominance will take many years to reconcile.

At the time of writing it was reported that many of the missionaries were making the necessary adjustments to continue their work in Mexico or pursue their calling elsewhere. Rev. Nyenhuis shifted his work to Intervarsity in the Mexican Universities, Miss Gritter plans to relocate the CITE office to another country, Dr. Oostendorp moved back to the USA, and of the others, definite plans are forthcoming. Within the IPC certain members of the Central Presbytery have disassociated themselves from the decisions of the Synod of 1980 and have separated themselves in hope of reconciliation.

Even though the CRC mission is having difficulties serving the Church of Christ in Mexico, its work has not been in vain. During the 1970’s the IPC began to grow in a marvelous way. It is reported that t here are over 7,000 members and more than 10,000 possible adherents. The IPC is especially growing in the Central Presbytery and Sout hern Presbyteries. Rev. L. Roberts estimated that in 1978 there were 13 ordained ministers, 30 congregations, 17 missions, 5480 communicants and 2100 baptized members in the South East Presbytery alone. In 1979 the Tabasco Presbytery was established in Southern Mexico and it too is growing. In Mexico City the Central Presbytery had grown to 8 churches, 7 unorganized congregations and 1637 members by 1978. The work in northern Mexico was developing very slowly.

The CRC has workers in the Oaxaca Valley and other places which are not under t he authority of the IPC. Church growth is also reported there by Dr. Weerstra. The community churches continue to develop in Oaxaca Valley, in Huave, in Chiapas and among the Mixe. Three CRWRC personnel are working with the CRWMB in agriculture and development, Clare De Boer, S. Vander Ende and Bill Vander Klippe.

In the Yucatan Jim and Hilda Visser are working in conjunction with the NPC, CRWRC and CRWMB and running a church camp.

The CRC mission picture in Mexico is rather complex yet the Lord has used the efforts of the CRC in a marvelous way. Even though the crisis of 1980 has not yet passed, the Church of Christ still stands. The following statistics show the church growth that has taken place in the 70’s.

Baptized: 1970 – 910, 1976 – 1635, 1977 – 2255, 1979 – 2255 Communicants: 1970 – 1120, 1976 – 1165, 1977 – 2280, 1979 – 4212 Organized Churches: 1970 – 9, 1976 – 9, 1977 – 16, 1979 – 34 Unorganized Churches: 1970 – 24, 1976 – 71, 1977 – 92, 1979 – 100 Ordained: 1976 – 15, 1977 – 20, 1979 – 19 Unordained workers: 1976 – 10, 1977 – 50, 1979 – 50 Seminarians: 1976 – 24, 1977 – 25, 1979 – 25 Other Educational programs missions: 1970 – 47, 1976 – 46, 1977 – 86

As the IPC continues to grow and exerts its influence in Mexico how should the CRC mission respond? It seems necessary for the CRC to enter the nationalization stage, that is, all of the work associated with the IPC will be under the supervision of the IPC. The IPC feels it is ready to completely take over the work, and now these demands must be tested by reality. However, there still remains a question about the work which is not under the supervision of the IPC. There are missionaries working with para–church organizations and with the NPC (National Presbyterian Church). It seems that there, too, the missionaries should be under the supervision of the nationals, though it might not be the IPC. Whatever the outcome of the next stage of missions in Mexico, the CRC must show the same willingness, humility and vision as the pioneer missionaries had in adjusting to the national situation. The CRC came as guests and hopefully will remain in Mexico as not only guests but friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Conclusion

The history of the CRC in Mexico would have been impossible without the creative, providential, saving and redemptive Spirit of’the Almighty God. We can reflect back on the history of the CRC in Mexico and see the Lord’s hand. Was it not, God’s Providence that the CRC chose to work with the IPC rather than the NPC, who expelled their missionaries in the moratorium of 1972? Was it not part of God’s Wisdom that the educational and theological strengths of t he CRC could be used in Juan Calvino Seminario and various other educational institutions? Did not the Lord bless Mexican Christians with the para–church contributions of the World Home Bible League, the Back to God Hour, the Evangelical Literature League, Summer Training Session and various other organizations such as Wycliff Bible Translators with whom members of the CRC worked? Did God not show his mercy and love through the CRWRC programs in the Yucatan and Oaxaca Valley, as well as in other areas of Mexico? Has God not blessed the CRC with a mission board who had been responsible in handling the challenges of the mission mandate for Mexico? Yes, we must thank the Lord, not only for his blessings but also for His forgiving love as He pardons us for our mistakes in Mexico, our sins of commission and sins of omission. May the Lord continue to bless the CRC mission efforts in Mexico; may He bless and guide the young IPC and its many responsibilities; may the Lord bless the missionaries who have come, stayed and gone, and may the Church continue to work and grow in Mexico, as throughout t he whole world.