EL RETO 2026 update and video

Thank you to those who have donated specifically to this outreach and partner with us regularly. You donations made this possible. Click on the picture above to view the 3 minute video Macx put together for us.

 

Around 100 students participated in this year's RETO called "Reconstruyendo" (Rebuilding). This year it was only three weeks long and we're praying that the impact the Lord has on these students' lives last much, much longer. Please continue to pray for Pastor Chuy as he disciples these young people to Know God and Know who they are in Christ. Pray the Lord gives him grace to Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico through the Youth Ministry.

 

Since 2005, we have hosted this student event to Reach Out, Restore, and Learn about God and Leadership. Most of the students do not know Jesus or have ever come to church. It is an open door for them to hear the gospel and learn about the Love of God through all of the activities as we take advantage of teachable moments that arise.

Thanks again for partnering with us at Cofradía United

as we Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico! 

A Need for Pastors Ruben and Valeria of Las Varas, Nayarit

Pastor Ruben and his wife, Valeria, have been without a vehicle for two years. They took their Chevrolet Traverse to the mechanic and overnight someone threw a fire-lit bottle over the wall which found it's way under their car. It burned as you can see in the photo. The mechanic promised to supply them with a vehicle, at least something to be able to move around in, but to this day has not yet come through with his promise. One of their sons in the states had some money saved up, but Ruben had an emergency surgery that exhausted their savings.

 

They are still in need of a vehicle. We want to help them find something that they can move around in. Ruben's sister has been loaning them her car when they need, but it's not always available. Each week, they go to a couple different towns 30 and 60 minutes (Mesillas and Mazatan) away to lead home groups and a vehicle is essential for them. 

 

We are asking for one-time tax-deductible donations to help Pastor Ruben and his wife buy another vehicle. They need a minimum of $4,000 to get a semi-decent vehicle, Geña and will be investing largely to this and we hope you are led to do the same. Let's try to get $15,000 so they can get something more reliable by the end of November.

 

Online Donations:

Click on the "Donate Here" button below. 

Please indicate the specific designation to "Ruben's car" 

where it says "add a note" under the amount.

Mail-in Donations:

Make checks payable to "Cofradia United USA"

and be sure to indicate the designation for "Ruben's car".

Cofradia United USA

PO Box 91

Tracyton, WA 98393

  

Thank you so much in advance for partnering with us as we help Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico. 

 

You can read more about them and their ministry where I wrote recently here.

Santifíquense

David dijo a los principales padres de las familias de los Levitas: "santifíquense, ustedes y sus  hermanos, y traen el arca del Señor Dios de Israel al lugar que yo he preparado para él" (1 Crónicas 15:12).

 

Esta era una orden del Rey a los Levitas. Dos capítulos antes, estaban llevando el arca del Señor a Jerusalén y los bueyes que tiraban el nuevo carro en el que estaba el arca, tropezaron. Esto hizo que Uza, uno de los hombres que conducían los bueyes, estirara instintivamente la mano y agarrara el arca, algo que estaba prohibido (eso también es otra enseñanza sobre cómo nuestras reacciones son fruto de nuestros pensamientos). Allí Dios hirió a Uzza; una acción severa por parte del Señor (1 Crónicas 13:9-10). Era para mostrar a los Israelitas que Dios quiere que las cosas se hagan de cierta manera. En el Nuevo Testamento, Jesús dijo: "Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida; nadie viene al Padre sino por mí" (Juan 14:6). 

 

Ese es el trasfondo de por qué David dijo a los Levitas que se santificaran en preparación para llevar el arca a Jerusalén. Solo los Levitas estaban permitidos a llevar el arca (Números 4:15). 

 

¿Cómo se ve "santificarse" hoy? Podemos interpretar fácilmente hoy a través de los ojos del Antiguo Testamento, pero estaríamos equivocados al hacerlo. A la luz del Nuevo Testamento, vemos que Cristo es quien nos santifica. En Cristo, estamos santificados (1 Corintios 1:30). Mientras preparamos nuestros corazones y renovamos nuestras mentes para alinearnos con lo que dice la Palabra, "santificamos" o nos preparamos para "llevar el arca a Jerusalén". Algunos lo llaman "Santificación Progresiva". También está la "Santificación Última" de cuando vamos a estar con el Señor. Es entonces cuando nuestro alma será completamente renovada y recibiremos un cuerpo glorificado. En este momento, tenemos la plenitud de Cristo (Col. 2:9-10) en nuestros espíritus, el mismo Espíritu que resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos vive dentro de nosotros (Romanos 8:11), un pago inicial para nuestra herencia prometida (Efesios 1:13-14). 

 

¿Dónde habita el Señor hoy? ¡En nosotros! ¿Dónde habitó Él en el Antiguo Testamento? En el arca del Pacto. El arca fue llevado a Jerusalén por los Levitas, el pueblo elegido que representaría el sacerdocio de Cristo en la tierra... del que todos (en Cristo) somos parte ahora (Mateo 28:18-20). Nuestro trabajo ahora es llevar el arca (presencia del Señor; Su cuerpo) a la Nueva Jerusalén. 

 

Mientras recorremos todo nuestro día, ya sea misioneros, pastores, líderes, conductores de camiones, albañiles, amas de casa, profesores, ingenieros, etc., les animo como David, Santifícense en preparación para llevar el arca del Señor a Jerusalén. No es una ceremonia para santificarse, es una preparación del corazón mientras renuevamos nuestra mente para alinearnos con las Escrituras, de modo que estaremos preparados para formar parte de llevar el cuerpo de Cristo (el arca) a la eternidad (la Nueva Jerusalén). 

 

Santifícense.

Sanctify Yourselves

David told the chief of the fathers of the Levites, "sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it." (1 Chronicles 15:12)

 

This was an order from the King to the Levites. Two chapters previous, they were taking the ark of the Lord up to Jerusalem and the oxen who were pulling the new cart it was on stumbled. This caused Uzza, one of the men driving the oxen, to instinctively stretch out his hand and grab the ark--something that was forbidden (that alone is a whole other teaching regarding how our reactions are fruit of our thought life). Uzza was struck dead; a stern action by the Lord (1 Chr. 13:9-10). It was to show the Israelites that God wants things done a certain way. In the New Testament, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6). 

That is the background of why David told the Levites to sanctify themselves in preparation for taking the ark to Jerusalem. It was only the Levites who were permitted to carry the ark (Numbers 4:15).

 

What does "sanctify yourself" look like today? We may easily interpret today through the eyes of the Old Testament, but we would be incorrect in doing so. In the light of the New Testament, we see that Christ is the one who sanctifies us. In Christ, we are sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:30). As we prepare our hearts and renew our minds to line up with what the Word says, we "sanctify" or prepare ourselves to "take the ark up to Jerusalem". Some call that "Progressive Sanctification". There's also the "Ultimate Sanctification" of when we go to be with the Lord. That is when our Soul will be completely renewed and we will receive a glorified body. At this point in time, we have the fullness of Christ (Col. 2:9-10) in our spirits, the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead lives inside of us (Romans 8:11), a down-payment for our promised inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14).

 

Where does the Lord dwell today? In us! Where did He dwell in the Old Testament? In the ark of the Covenant. The ark was carried into Jerusalem by the Levites, the chosen people who would represent the priesthood of Christ on earth...which we all (in Christ) are a part of now (Matthew 28:18-20). Our job now is to carry the ark (presence of the Lord; His body) to the New Jerusalem.

 

As we go throughout our day whether we are missionaries, pastors, leaders, truck drivers, masonry workers, homemakers, teachers, engineers, etc., I charge you as David charged the Levites, Sanctify Yourselves in preparation for taking the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. It is not a ceremony to sanctify yourself, it is a preparation of the heart as you renew your mind to line up with Scripture so you will be prepared to be part of taking the body of Christ (the ark) into eternity (the New Jerusalem).

 

Sanctify Yourselves. 

Cofradia Kitchen Kids 2026-09

The Children's Soup Kitchen is back in service. As many of you know, the one who had the original vision and burden for this ministry went to be with the Lord in May. There was a pause in the feeding of the kids, but a daughter-in-law has agreed to continue feeding the kids each morning Monday through Friday. We do not know how long this commitment will be, but for the time being, it's active again. Thank you all for your help and contributions towards the kids.

 

Here are some pictures of this month...

 

 

 

 

Pastor Gregorio Hernández

Pastor Gregorio (Goyo) Hernández is the main pastor of Centro Cristiano Cofradía United in Cofradía. He has been ministering for over 25 years as the pastor. We recently featured his late wife in a previous update. 

 

After over 6 years of waiting, we are finally able to take one of our pastors up to the States. Pastor Goyo of Cofradía is our main pastor here and our co-laborer of leading Pastors who have become part of Cofradía United in Mexico.

 

We began our trip on Wednesday, September 23, as we flew into LA to participate in a few activities over the next few days. On day one, we directed a Christening ceremony of a friend's boat in San Diego, Pastor Goyo spoke at Ebenezer Church in Riverside, we visited our friend and Cofradía United Board Member, Frank Jimenize, and we spoke at Templo Calvario (Calvary Bakersfield) bilingual church on Sunday. It has been a huge blessing to have him with us.

 

After driving over night from Bakersfield to Woodland Park, Colorado, we made it to the Global Minister's Conference at Charis Bible College where Emma is attending. We have extremely enjoyed our time here meeting other ministers around the globe and being fed the Word of God during the week; every message has been so applicable and challenging. I can't wait to share what we've learned with the pastors of Cofradía United.

 

We will be heading to Washington State on Saturday, October 3rd, and look forward to visiting with everyone there. We will be attending Gateway Poulsbo on Sunday the 4th, and Pastor Goyo will be visiting his brother one day who lives in Seattle, yep, I was surprised, too.

This is a great opportunity for many to get to personally meet Pastor Goyo and maybe see him again if you've been to Cofradía and have already met him. We trust the conference will continue to be a blessing and our time in Washington as well.

 

Your partnership with us through Cofradía United USA or our personal support is helping us expand our pastors' worldview and Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico. Pastor Goyo has thoroughly enjoyed this week and has mentioned to me that it feels like a new beginning for him. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

 

If you would like to send a special gift to Pastor Goyo, you can do so here by putting in the note section "Pastor Goyo". 

The Credits

How many of us stay seated at the movie theater or keep the DVD rolling after a movie just to watch the credits? My guess is there is a high percentage of us who do not make that a common practice. I admit, I have done it from time to time mostly just to look and see if there is a Silberman mentioned, but they go so fast it’s impossible to read all the names.

I’ve been reading 1 Chronicles lately and what comes to my mind is this very thing, credits after a movie. How many of us just skim over all those names that no one can pronounce except ones like, “David”. We skim over them so fast, there would me no time to even try to pronounce them. Just like the credits after a movie.

What’s interesting is that each one of those names that scroll up the screen after the movie are important. Everyone played a part in the making of that movie. Some people contributed more than others, but each one is important. That is what comes to mind when I read through the list of the geneologies of the Israelites. Each one is important. Everyone played a part in the making of the “movie” of the history of Israel. Some people contributed more than others, but each one is important.

What would it be like to be mentined in the credits of a movie? Maybe some of you have…I don’t know. But, I imagine that it comes with a little sense of pride knowing that your name is there because you had something to do with making that movie possible. You contributed to the success of that movie. Maybe not as much as others, maybe more than others, but you contributed and there’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

Then, all pride withers away knowing that not many people care or will ever see your name there. You just have to come to grips with knowing that your contribution meant something and you’ve accomplished your purpose in that role.

God has chosen each one of us for a special purpose. Many of us have read Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (KVJ). The NIV version says, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God’s desire for us is only good and He has thoughts and plans for us. We may not all have the same level of contribution to His Kingdom, but we are all important to Him. If you know Jesus, that verse is for you!

We can have peace knowing that our name is in The Crediis of Kingdom history because God chose us to be there. No need to be prideful of it, all He asks for is our faithfulness to Him and what He has called us to do, walking in His rest. And some day, when The Credits of life have begun, we will hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Mission Dispatch Features the Silbermans

Mission Dispatch is a ministry set up to help missionaries and ministries by providing a support hub for them, prayer, and for us...mentorship (Thank you Ted and Linda and the rest of the Mission Dispatch Team!)

 

They have recently been featuring our ministry on their facebook page. I know many of you are not on facebook and would probably appreciate what they have been posting. They have done a great job! Here are their most recent posts:

 

Post #1

Some ministries are measured only by what is built; others are measured by the people whose lives have been changed and equipped to keep building God's Kingdom — Meet Steve and Efigenia Silberman of La Cofradía United Ministries.

 

Since 1996, Steve and Efigenia have faithfully served in Nayarit, Mexico, investing in people, churches, and communities with a vision that extends far beyond themselves.

 

As directors of La Cofradía United Ministries, their passion is to raise up Christian leaders who are confident in their faith and equipped to disciple others. Their desire is not simply to grow a ministry, but to see generations of leaders carrying the gospel into their own communities.

 

Mission Dispatch is grateful to partner with Steve, Efigenia, and their daughters as they faithfully serve the people of Mexico.

 

Please join us in praying for the Silbermans and all the lives they invest in on a regular basis!

 

 

 

 

Post #2

Since 1996, La Cofradía United Ministries has been investing in the people of Nayarit, Mexico, with one clear vision: to raise up Christian leaders who are confident in Christ and equipped to raise up others.

 

That vision takes many forms.

 

It looks like pastors being encouraged and mentored. It looks like churches being planted and strengthened. It looks like leadership training, Bible studies, and Freedom in Christ conferences. It looks like children receiving meals, families finding restoration, men overcoming addiction, homes being built, and mission teams serving alongside local believers.

 

Every ministry they are involved in exists to help people discover the truth of Jesus Christ and become faithful disciples who will impact their own communities for generations to come.

 

Would you consider partnering financially with Steve and Efigenia through Mission Dispatch?

 

Your prayers and support help strengthen churches, equip leaders, serve families, and extend the hope of the gospel throughout western Mexico.

 

 

Post #3 

PRAY FOR NAYARIT, MEXICO

 

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Nayarit is home to beautiful mountains, fertile valleys, coastal fishing communities, and growing cities. It is also home to people from many backgrounds and cultures, including several indigenous communities with rich histories and traditions.

 

While many churches faithfully serve throughout the region, there are still communities that need strong biblical discipleship, trained Christian leaders, and opportunities to hear the hope of the gospel.

 

This week, join us in praying for Nayarit:

     Pray for pastors and church leaders to faithfully teach God's Word and disciple the next generation.

     Pray for local churches to grow in unity, spiritual maturity, and love for their communities.

     Pray for families to experience healing, hope, and the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

     Pray for missionaries, including Steve and Efigenia Silberman of Cofradía United Ministries, as they equip leaders who will continue multiplying disciples throughout Mexico.

 

God often changes a nation by strengthening local churches and raising up faithful leaders who will invest in others.

 

How can we pray for your community this week? Comment below.

 

Post #4

Did you know?

 

Nayarit is home to the Wixárika (Huichol) people, one of Mexico's best-preserved indigenous cultures.

 

The Wixárika are known around the world for their breathtaking yarn art and intricate beadwork. Many of their designs tell stories through colorful symbols inspired by nature, family, and their spiritual traditions.

 

For generations, art has been a way of preserving their history, identity, and beliefs.

 

The Bible also tells God's story. Not through yarn or beads, but through His Word.

 

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals God's love, His plan of redemption, and His invitation for every people and every nation to know Him.

 

As missionaries serve throughout Nayarit, they seek to honor the people and culture while faithfully sharing the greatest story ever told: the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!" ~ Psalm 96:3

 

What is one way you've seen God use culture to open doors for the gospel?

 

 

 

To make a contribution to the Silbermans,