2025 Ministry Updates

If you have missed any of our updates, please click on the different months below to access them.

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Thank you so much for your partnership with us as we Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico TOGETHER!

If you have not had the opportunity to join us, please pray about getting involved by:

• Giving to Cofradia Ministries
• Giving to the Silberman's Personal Budget
• Short or long-term missions trips (contact us for details)
• Prayer

Thank you so much!

CENTRO CRISTIANO COFRADIA CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

In 1991, the first missionaries arrived in Cofradía through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) for their DTS (Discipleship Training School). Within a few months, the began to establish the ministry location with a Medical Doctor and leading bible studies for those who would listen. Some things changed in 1994 and the ministry evolved from a Humanitarian Evangelistic Outreach to a focus of Planting a local Church. That vision continued into what we recognized during this anniversary celebration. 

 

In 2006, we broke ground to begin construction of a church building that the locals could call theirs. February 27, 2011, we inaugurated the new building; 15 years ago. As we celebrated God's faithfulness over the past 15 years in this location, we also recognized some of those who invested their time and resources as missionaries; long-term and short-term. While not everyone was able to attend, we had a few share a greeting by video which was very special to everyone.

 

There have been so many missionaries come through on Short-term mission trips throughout the years. I would have no idea how to count how many teams or individuals who dedicated time to the locals, made relationships, played with the kids, prayed with people, participated in "light construction", and went home with a powerful memory the Lord planted in their hearts. Some even returned as long-term staff members.

 

While we mentioned by name a number of those who spent time here, we specifically focused on three couples:

1. Tom and Linnea Hackett - if it was not for Tom's obedience to the call of the Lord on his life, none of this would be happening. He started as the Director of the YWAM ministry, was the founder of the ministry in Cofradia, and has pioneered many other projects in his life. We are very grateful for Tom and Linnea.
2. Dave and Kathy Elias - through their dedication and faithfulness, a lot of what we have experienced in Cofradia is due to their obedience to the Lord as well. They were the Directors of this ministry location up until 2011 when the church building was finished. Dave is an amazing mechanic and did a phenomenal job with heading up the construction of the new building as well as so many structures at the Mission Base and the Houses and projects we've built for the locals. Kathy is a mastermind with the children's ministry and organization skills. Her expertise in those areas have been missed.
3.  Jay and Faith TenBrink - they spent a number of years evangelizing and discipleing new believers in the Indigenous Village of Mojocuautla and played a major role in the Arrayanes church. They even spent a while up in the Sierra Madre Mountains living among the Korah Indians, learning their language and teaching them about what the Bible says about Christ. 

This was a grand celebration. Since 2011, we have been focusing on Raising Up Leaders in Rural Mexico and have developed a number of healthy relationships with local pastors in the area. Some of those pastors have asked to join our ministry in order to be part of what we're doing and have a loving community in which to belong.

At the end of the service, we had all the Lead Pastors of the Cofradía United churches come up and share a quick word before we had everyone pray over them. It was a beautiful picture of the unity in the body. We are not in competition, we don't compare each other's work, we just "...receive one another as Christ also received us..." (Romans 15:7)

 

We thank everyone who has participated in this ministry whether it was a long-term commitment, short-term mission team, special visits, finances, prayers, and the list can go on.

 

We look forward to the next many years of God's faithfulness manifest in the lives of the people of Cofradía United and in whatever part of the world they encounter themselves in.

 

Here are a few videos of the event (the first two are a slide-show like presentation of photos)... 

 

 

This final video shows the beginning years of the ministry in Cofradía until the inauguration of the new building in 2011.

• In 1991, the first groups of YWAM Mazatlán arrived in Cofradia.
• On April 12, 1992, the town officials donated a piece of land that nos is the Mission Base.
• In February of 2006, we broke ground for the construction of a large building for the local brothers and sisters could have their own place to worship the Lord.
• On February 27, 2011, we inaugurated the new building and we began to experience God's faithfulness there.
• On March 8, 2026, we celebrated 15 years in the new building and 35 years of ministry presence in Cofradía.

Online Donations:

Click on the "Donate Here" button and you will be taken to a form to fill out. 

Please indicate any specific designations where it says "add a note" under the amount .

Check by Mail:

Make checks payable to "Cofradia United USA"

and be sure to indicate your designation.

Cofradia United USA

PO Box 91

Tracyton, WA 98393

Upcoming Pastors' Retreat

Last March we held a one-night Pastor's retreat and soon found out that time flew by way too fast. After talking it over, we believe that two nights is much more appropriate. Our desire was to do this at the end of November, but coordinating all the pastors is a little difficult. Our plan now is to do it January 16-18. In past messages, I mentioned our budget will be $3,500 and because of your generosity throughout the summer, we have reached our goal! Thank you soooo much!

This is one of my most favorite things we get to do in order to invest in Pastors' lives and give them some "down time" so they can restfully hear the voice of God for their personal lives, marriages, and ministries. Rest, Refocus, and Revive!

Thank you for your partnership!

Armonía (Harmony)

Pastors Jimmy and Perla have been ministering on Tuesday nights with a group of people who are eager to know more about God and the Bible. Most of those who attend have never been church-goers and many had not been believers before coming to the Bible Study.

After two years of opening up the group, they (the group) decided they would like to have a weekend Family Camp all together. Thirty-two adults came along with their kids and it was an amazing time! Pastor Jimmy shared on Saturday morning to get things going, Pastor Ernesto from "Perdón y Amistad" Church in San Juan de Abajo, Nayarit, gave a very clear message on Identity Saturday night, and I shared Sunday morning about being Unified with Christ through Communion and Baptism. It was a great time as seven people took the step of Faith and were baptized in Water. One of which who grew up knowing about God through traditions, made a decision to make Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 86!

Baptism Candidates

MISSION IN THE MOUNTAINS

Lion and Lamb Church from Culiacán, Sinaloa, went on a missions trip to the Sierras of Nayarit to minister to the Kuare Indians. They handed out gifts to the children and played with them, gave medical consultations with their Doctor and handed out medicine, as well as sharing the Love of Jesus with them. The first Kuare person who received Christ in past trips, made a decision to get baptized this year.

Enjoy the video:

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of this ministry. Become a partner and join us.

Quick Trip to Mexico and Back

We had such a great time returning to Mexico for 10 days. It was the first time in a really long time that I was in Cofradia without a pressing agenda. I felt like I was on vacation! It was very relaxing...until the very end when things got really busy and didn't have time to finish a few things that were on my "non-pressing" agenda LOL.

We began our trip flying into Puerto Vallarta where Jimmy and Perla were waiting to host us for the night. We had a great time catching up and a long conversation in the morning about ministry, personal life, and future hopes and dreams. It was a true blessing to be with them.

With Jimmy and Perla's family

Jimmy and Perla blessed us with loaning us their car for the whole week so we would have the freedom to make stops along the way as we travelled to Cofradia the next day and not have to use the bus to go to and from Cofradia on our way back to Puerto Vallarta the next weekend.

This gave us the opportunity to visit with Pastor Ruben and Valeria in Las Varas. We took them out to lunch at the beach and enjoyed time with them as we talked with them also about ministry, personal life, and future hopes.

With Pastor Ruben and Valeria at Chocala Beach, Nayarit

Alan and Carito came to visit us on Sunday, but before that, we enjoyed a long breakfast with them in Tepic on Friday with much of the same type of conversations about ministry, personal life, and future hopes.

With Alan and Carito at Centro Cristiano Cofradia

The night before we left to return to Cofradia, we visited with Pastor Amado and his family. Not much personal time with them, but it was a blessing to be all together in family at his Mom's house enjoying a meal made by his son and some good coffee!

With Pastor Amado and family in Rosamorada, Nayarit

And, of course, with the advantage of living in the same town, we had multiple evenings with Pastor Goyo and Mati as we played cards and talked a lot about ministry. It is a blessing to know that the ministry is in good hands when we're away. Pastor Goyo and his wife are gems for Jesus! In passing, we were able to visit with many other people as they stopped in or were already there. What a blessing they are!

With Pastor Goyo and Mat at their house in Cofradia

Some of the other things we were able to do was visit the Tuesday night Bible Study Pastor Goyo leads, visit with the family who received a house in February, and touch base with some of the people who received glasses in April. I also met with Diego who is helps us with the House Building Ministry as we continue to work on the profiles of the eligible candidates and making note of what others need in order to become eligible. Geña was able to meet with the women two times to make soap, something that they are excited about to possibly become a source of income for them and their families. Finally, I had the privilege of sharing on Sunday something I've grown passionate about these past few months...Deuteronomy! There is so much in there and what a blessing this book is to us when you can see it through the lens of the New Testament.

Tuesday Night Bible Study w/Pastor Goyo

Visit with Zeferina and her daughter, the recipients of the house in February

Making soap with the women

Preaching on Sunday

Thank you for your partnership and prayers!!

Kingdom Stories

In October 2023, I decided to write a few stories of what God is doing in peoples' lives here. Some are short and small, but big for those who have experienced them. This is a result of your investing in God's Kingdom through prayer and giving. We thank you so much for your partnership!

Here are links to those stories...

• Forgiveness is Freeing
• Opening Up
• Grateful for God's Provision
• Useless Garbage to Perfect Blessing
• A Family Re-United
• Guadalupe Gets Baptized
• Flee in the Name of JESUS!
• Christmas Gifts for God
• Healing in Boca de Camichin, Nayarit
• (NEW) Healing from an Horrendous Abscess AND Diabetes!

Freedom In Christ Conference - December 2023

It was almost surprising to see that over half of the people who signed up to come, were not able to make it at the very last minute...most of them got sick. If there is anything the enemy does not want is for us to know that he has already been defeated, and how we can be free in Christ through understanding our Identity in Christ. This material is very impactful and every time we do this, people are set free. The battle is in our mind, if the enemy can convince us that he is strong and we have no hope, he has gained ground in our lives. But, it's all deception. Satan is the master deceiver.

For those who came, it was definitely a victory for them. One man shared that for the first time he realized it was his responsibility to teach his kids about God, he always thought that was the Pastor's job. He took home with him some very valuable truths to put into practice.

A lady mentioned that she never took thought to forgiveness. She realized that "if I don't forgive, I'm stuck; I will never be able to move forward!" The Lord healed her of past hurts during the conference.

Another girl who recently attempted suicide was set free from her bondages. While we were renouncing sins, she was so surprised that what she had done was sitting there in front of her on the paper, ready to be renounced. She excitedly got up and told her pastor, "This is what happened to me!!", and with a willing heart, renounced the deceptive lies that she had believed. Now, when a thought comes, she nips it in the bud and says, "No! I'm not going to cut myself anymore!". She is winning the battle! After renouncing, forgiving, and accepting forgiveness, she said she felt "as light as a feather".

Thank you for your partnership with us as we help people change their lives!

Pastors' Dinner 2023

We had a really great time together again as most of the pastors in our fellowship were able to join us for our annual Turkey dinner at our house. We do this to show our appreciation to them and express our gratitude for their service. 

It is always a blessing as we reflect on a few things. I shared a little about Christmas and some history on why the United States celebrates Thanksgiving dating back to when 50 pilgrims celebrated the good crop season together with 90 Indians (including the Chief) over a period of three days and gave thanks to God. I also shared how we can be thankful for what he has already provided for us in His Spirit.

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 expresses that when we are brought into new life, he figuratively gives us 

"...great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you didn't not plant..."

God provides so much for us that is already available, all we have to do is believe it to receive it. Salvation is just that, you receive it because you've believed it.

May this Christmas season be a season of gratefulness and wonder as you ponder on what God has done and provided for you.

Verse 12 says to not forget the Lord.

Please consider partnering with us as we Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico. Each donation helps the different pastors be able to Reach the Lost, Bring Freedom to those with Addictions and Strongholds, Disciple Believers, and Develop New Leaders. Thank you so much!

MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

COFRADIA UNITED, USA

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS (Contact us)

• Bless a family by changing their life and build them a home
• Bless a whole congregation by helping them build their meeting place
• Bless a community through Evangelistic Outreaches, Kid's Clubs, or a specifically focused ministry.

INTERNSHIPS (Under development) 

LONG-TERM MISSIONS (See "On the field need" below)

FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP (See more details here or give now)

MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES

COFRADIA UNITED MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL

We have needs for our US base non-profit as well as on the field in Nayarit, Mexico.

US based non-profit needs:

Bookkeeper/Treasurer This is an urgent need as we are inheriting an already functioning non-profit. Our friends at Family Renewal Ministries who have been overseeing our Pastors and Projects Ministry Funds are handing us their non-profit, but we need someone stateside to do our books. If you're interested, please do not hesitate on contacting Steve for more information.

On the field needs in Nayarit, Mexico:

Here is a list of different ministry opportunities we have in COFRADIA UNITED. Some "positions" can be overlapped, but these are the ones that are most needed and are in no particular order.

Our heart is to Raise Up Leaders in Rural Mexico. That means that we, as missionaries, are discipling believers to be followers of Christ and willing to lead and take ownership of the ministry.

VISION: 

The unified body of Christ working together (Romans 15:5-7) “…be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus…with one mind and one mouth glorify God…receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

MISSION: 

Raising up Leaders in Rural Mexico (2 Timothy 2:2) “And the things you have heard (me teach) among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

All "positions" require:

-A genuine love for God and people

-A consistent, growing relationship with the Heavenly Father

-Grasping the vision and mission of the ministry

-Working under the supervision of the Mission Base Director

-Using and continually developing leadership skills

-Financially supported through a donor support team for personal fundraising (no paid positions)

-Consistent communication (monthly) with that donor support team

Please contact Steve here for more information.

______________________________________

Mission Base Director Assistant

-Shadow the Mission Base Director

-Be willing to offer general counseling, teaching, conference speaking, and mentoring.

-Be available to local Lead Pastors, who form part of this ministry, for pastoral care and mentorship 

-Over-all Ministry Oversight and Supervision in Director’s Absence

-Spanish Speaking Required

Property Manager

-Live on Mission Base

-Keep grounds clean and looking good

-Keep buildings clean and looking good

-Oversee vehicle maintenance and usage

-Oversee/Fulfill maintenance responsibilities (water, gas, electricity, etc.)

-Oversee properties in other locations alongside locals

-Teach/train others to do what you do on the mission base

-Spanish Speaking Highly Recommended

Short-Term Missions Host

-Ability to communicate well with and in front of people

-Recruit and prepare stateside teams for a 7 or 10 day mission trip

-Work along side the Short-Term Mission Coordinator for stateside preparations

-Come along side the vision of the local church on the field

-Be responsible for hosting and leading short-term missions teams on the field

-Make hotel/travel arrangements on the field for the teams

-Spanish Speaking Required

-Stipend Available

Projects Manager

-Ability to work along side locals teaching them skills and learning from theirs

-Ability to prepare accurate project budgets

-Ability to communicate project proposals with current and potential partners

-Ability to coordinate and fulfill the steps to complete a construction project

-Facilitate and delegate responsibilities among locals and guests

-Be responsible with Mission Base tools

-Construction skills necessary

-Spanish Speaking Required

Sound Technician

-Oversee the local Church’s sound system’s maintenance and usage

-Teach others to run sound and maintain system

-Coordinate the use of the sound system for outreaches

-Spanish Speaking Required

Videographer

-Oversee the local Church’s Livestream services

-Oversee the local Church’s in-house projections

-Make video productions for promotional use and reports

-Teach others to make videos

-Fundraising skills highly recommended

-Spanish Speaking Required

Student Ministry Volunteer

-Serve the Student Ministry Pastor

-Coordinate events alongside Pastor

-Lead bible studies, games, conversations

-Fundraising skills highly recommended

-Spanish Speaking Required

Children’s Ministry Volunteer

-Serve the Children’s Ministry Pastor

-Coordinate events alongside Pastor

-Ability to lead bible stories, games, crafts

-Fundraising skills highly recommended

-Spanish Speaking Required

Rehabilitation Center Assistant (Rosamorada, Nayarit)

-Single Male

-Live at the Restoration House

-Serve the Director of the Restoration House for drug and alcohol addicts with humility and transparency

-Grasp the vision of the Restoration House

-Have a love and calling to Drug and Alcohol addicts

-Be willing to adapt and follow the in-house rules, showing an example

-Respect the schedule and work towards completing the goals

-Spanish Speaking Required

June 2022 Ministry Update

This month's update features...

• A story from 1991
• Missions Opportunities
• 501c3
• Ministry pics
• Cofradía Kitchen Kids
  
• Restoration House news
• Links to more
• June's Agenda
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here is a link to the June 2022 Ministry Update...

Thank you so much for your partnership. We continue to remember you in our prayers.

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER

March 2022 Ministry Update

This month's update features...

• February's "speaking tour"
• Cofradia Kitchen
• Cafe0530 Bible Study
• Restoration House
• Marriage Conference
• Notes about the Pastors
• Links to More
• March's Agenda
• How to Pray
• How to Give

Here's a link to March's Update...

Thank you so much for partnering with us. We appreciate your prayers and contributions to this ministry and our family. 

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER