Approximately 30 people participated in the Cross-Cultural Orientation held by the Oaxaca Northwest District 18-20 October at the Etla Church of the Nazarene in Mexico.

Etla church Pastor and District Communications Coordinator Josué Barrera said the event is part of the district’s goal to encourage church growth where there is no Nazarene presence.

“It was a challenging time, a time of learning, and it made a great impact in the lives of the young people who attended as well as the local church which helped with the event,” Barrera said. 

Global Missions and Genesis Coordinator Scott Armstrong, Nazarene Missions International Coordinator Ana Maria Crocker, and South Mexico Field Global Missions Coordinator Claudia Cruz Martinez each led different workshops at the event.

Participants were trained to see the needs of those around them and to reach out to those who have not heard the gospel.

“They were encouraged to let go of their own comfort and their normal methods in order to present the gospel in creative ways,” Barrera said.

Crocker was one of the presenters at the event. She spoke about the importance of the local church as a support for missions around the world. The orientation closed with a message from District Superintendent Elias Betanzos on the call to “Be a generation that makes a difference — that does something for God.”

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica