Joven a Joven

"Youth to Youth" is the name of the camp our students went to this month where over 800 bodies gathered from all over Mexico. Fortunately for us, the camp is only a few hours away near Puerto Vallarta in a small beach town called Chapala.

For three days/two nights, our students played games and listened to different speakers throughout the event. One of the girls from our church in Rosamorada made a decision to be baptized. Praise the Lord.

On our way to Riviera, Nayarit, on Friday, we stopped by the camp to say hello to the students and see how they were doing. They were all having a great time and look forward to next year's "Joven a Joven".

Pastor Amado and his family with the girl who was Baptized (middle)

Everyone stayed in tents...hot tents.

A group of students hiked up the mountain both mornings

The ladies standing in the "shade" (look closely)

Sunset in Chacala

COMING SOON! EL RETO 2023!

EL RETO (The Challenge) is our annual Student Ministry Outreach. It has been a couple years since we've done this due to COVID and the passing of Pastor Luis who took over this ministry for me in 2011. It will take place every Saturday of November. 

As EL RETO returns, the theme for this year will be appropriately named, "The Return", with an emphasis on Christ's return for His people. Our annual budget for this outreach is $2,000 which will pay for a snack for the students each week, staff and captain t-shirts, travel expenses, and all the materials needed. The students can attend for free because of your contributions. This is a wide open door for students to hear about God's love for them and give them purpose in life.

This is part of your Investment in the Kingdom. If you would like to contribute to reaching out to students this way, please indicate "RETO" and follow the instructions here.

Restoration House in Rosamorada

This is a report from late-summer of 2023 about Pastor Amado and the work he and his team are doing in Rosamorada, Nayarit. 

His church's name is La Iglesia Hermosa Casa de Oración (Beautiful Church House of Prayer) and they have activities Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and main service on Sunday. 

His Restoration House is called Lighthouse of Hope. This is a drug rehabilitation center that focuses on restoring the individual along with their family for a whole year. He expresses a need here for room and board scholarships for the young people who want to get off drugs. Most of the time, the family is unable to help and pay for this. It only costs about $200 us dollars a month for them to stay. It is a one year program, but because of the nature of a voluntary stay, most do not make it past 6 months. Join with us to help save someone's life out of the darkness of drugs. If you feel led, please indicate your contribution for "Cofradia United: Restoration House" and follow the instructions here.

Prayer for Maty

Mati is Pastor Goyo's wife. He is the Lead Pastor of Centro Cristiano Cofradia and works along side me as the head of La Cofradia United. Mati has been leading the Cofradia Kitchen for a few years now and has taken some time off because of her health. She has had pain in her abdomen for a while and the doctors removed her appendix which later they realized that was the wrong diagnosis. After searching deeper with better machines, they found a tumor hidden behind her intestines. The tumor was removed a week ago and they will be renting an apartment in Tepic for a couple weeks. She is doing much better and never likes to be the center of attention. She has not wanted any of us to say anything. But, please pray for a complete healing in her body, quick recovery, and if you feel led to help out financially with their doctor bills, please indicate that in making a donation specifically for "Pastor Goyo" here.

Investment in the Kingdom: Flee in the Name of Jesus!

Growing up, my mom taught me that when temptation comes or if I'm feeling attacked, I can tell Satan to flee in Jesus Name, and he will flee. It works. It works because Satan is defeated. Jesus defeated him. He is just a powerless being with a big mouth. His specialty is lying, mainly through deception. We see this all over! Here in Mexico AND in the states.

A few days ago, a young man came by the house and told me that he was having trouble sleeping at night. He said he could feel a presence enter his room. Sometimes, he says it grabs hold of his arms and he can't move them. Other times it covers his mouth so he can't speak. He said this happened the other night, and he was able to get out the words, "Flee in the Name of Jesus!". As soon as he said that, the presence left the room and he was free.

This reminds me of an encounter I had in the late 1990s when I first arrived in Cofradia. I had been here for a little over a year when a brother in the Lord (Joel) asked me to go with him to pray for a girl who was having some problems sleeping at night. Joel was from San Diego (a nearby village) and had recently given his life to the Lord. His testimony was amazing! I used to go out to his house each week for a home group bible study as well as another Indian village called Agua Aceda, about 7 miles up into the mountains. Joel has since passed away.

Joel and I hiked out to where the 12 year old girl lived with her mother between the two villages. When we arrived at the house, her and her mother were there to greet us. I think I remember a couple little kids, too. This girl told me that she couldn't sleep because she was afraid. She said something scary that looked like a purple pig with really long fingernails appeared at the end of her bed trying to grab her at night.

I looked at her and said, "I cannot help you, only Jesus can." After explaining to her who Jesus is, she decided to make Jesus Lord of her life and accepted him into her heart. I told her that because she had Jesus inside her, all she needs to do is tell whatever that scary looking thing is to "flee in the name of Jesus!"

A few years went by without seeing them or hearing from them. One day, while visiting San Diego where Joel lived, I saw the mother of the girl, her name is Julia. She remembered me and I asked her how things continued with her daughter. She said after we prayed for her and left, she never saw that creature again! Praise the Lord!

Thank you so much for your Investment in the Kingdom. Your prayers for our ministry, the people we come in contact with, and our own lives are so appreciated! It is because of your partnership that we can reach these people.

Investment in the Kingdom: Guadalupe Gets Baptized

Guadalupe (Lupe) lives in a town nearby Cofradia called Paso Real. She is originally from Cofradía. Recently she gave her life to Jesus and decided to publicly confess her faith and get baptized. Praise the Lord for what He is doing and how people are opening their hearts to Him.

Thank you for your Investment in the Kingdom. Some of you have contributed to Pastor Goyo and the church in Cofradia, Centro Cristiano. This is your investment.

Investment in the Kingdom: A Family Reunited

A young man came to our house the other day who has confided in us for nearly two decades. This young man knows Jesus and is learning how to trust in Him.

Almost a year ago, this man found himself in such a grave situation that made him so desperate he pretty much lost his mind. He became dangerously suicidal and threatened to take his wife's life. What was going on left us all astonished; we had no clue of problems in their marriage. Things escalated to the point that he ended up in jail for a few months. After being released, he sought psychological help and is doing much better. Soon, the truth of what sparked the consuming fire in this relationship came out and he found himself needing to forgive his wife for her unfaithfulness. By this time, she had taken her children and left to live in the city with the person she thought would solve her problems. Her situation became so miserable that she fell into depression and her kids were suffering terribly. When offering her to come back home, she accepted and they mutually forgave each other. She has still not made Jesus Lord of her life, but they have taken a step forward to a better situation. Our prayer is that she gives her life to Jesus and he is able to peacefully trust in the Lord and be the man of God he is called to be. They are far from being restored, but for now are A Family Reunited.

Thank you for your prayers for the believers in Centro Cristiano Cofradia. Your Investment in the Kingdom is helping to restore families.

Investment in the Kingdom: Useless Garbage to Perfect Blessing

(these are not the original sandals in the story)

At the Tuesday night meeting in Cofradia, one of the ladies who attends lives with her in-laws. One day her father-in-law was throwing out a pair of sandals that no longer fit her mother-in-law. She saw them and thought, "someone could use those!". Her father-in-law even told her, "those are useless, what are you doing digging them out of the garbage?" She responded, "These are still good, someone can use them". She left it up to the Lord to show her who the sandals could bless. Hours later, another lady who was in great need was passing by the house and she noticed her need for sandals. She went back in the house to get the sandals the were deemed "useless" and gave them to the lady; they fit perfectly! These sandals went from Useless Garbage to Perfect Blessing! And, the sister used the skills she's learned of listening to the still small voice in her Spirit on how to be a blessing to someone.

Thank you for Investing in the Kingdom of God and partnering with us! Some of you have given and contributed to Pastor Goyo and the church in Cofradia, Centro Cristiano. This is part of your investment.

Investment in the Kingdom: Grateful for God's Provision

On Tuesday nights, Pastor Goyo holds a Discipleship class with a few faithful believers who are eager to learn and grow. As we finished and shared prayer requests and praises, one of the ladies started to share about how thankful she is for God's Provision in her life lately. She recently gave her life to Jesus and made Him Lord of her life. There was a time she was so worried because they didn't have any money at all. Someone gave her $50 pesos (about 3 US dollars) and she hesitantly accepted because she didn't want to be a burden on anyone. With that, she was able to buy some supplies to make tortillas for her and her family. She began to put her faith in the Lord and the next day her husband received a payment from work worth about $150 US dollars. Then, days later some support money appeared in their bank account of nearly $300 US dollars. This strengthened her faith and made her Grateful for God's Provision. She continues to take steps forward in her walk with the Lord.

Thank you for your Investment in the Kingdom of God and partnering with us! Some of you have given and contributed to Pastor Goyo and the church in Cofradia, Centro Cristiano. This is part of your investment.

Investment in the Kingdom: Opening Up

Near the end of the meeting we had with Pastor Rodrigo and his midweek group, a visitor whom one of the members had invited, started to share what was going on in their life. They had grown up in the traditional Mexican church, but realized that there was no relationship with God. She went on and shared some issues that she had been dealing with in her life which caused her to search for Truth. When she was exposed to a Christian church, she realized that there was something more; the differences were night and day..."very different"...from what she was used to. She had been to a couple Christian churches, but either got lost in the crowd or was disappointed that the promised follow-up had not occurred. She was disillusioned and became discouraged. After listening to her share her heart, we had a time of prayer with her and she felt like she found a place where she could learn about God, the Truth, and how to walk out her Christian Faith. She was able to open up because the church was ready to listen.

Thank you for Investing in the Kingdom of God and partnering with us! Some of you have given and contributed to Pastor Rodrigo and his church Cordero y Leon in Culiacán. This is part of your investment.

Investment in the Kingdom: Forgiveness is Freeing

On our way back to Cofradía, we stopped by our friends' church in Culiacán, Cordero Y Leon. They adjusted one of their meetings in order for us to be able to participate in their service. About a dozen people came to the late evening service and we just sat around a table and talked together. This church had just finished the 13 week Discipleship Course called Freedom In Christ; one of our staples in our ministry. I asked those who had participated what their experience was and how the Lord impacted their life. Each one mentioned just like most others who take the course, that the section on forgiveness spoke to them the most. More than one said, "I didn't realize that I had not forgiven (either someone in their life or themselves)". Forgiveness is Freeing!

Thank you for Investing in the Kingdom of God and partnering with us! Some of you have given and contributed to Pastor Rodrigo and his church Cordero y Leon in Culiacán. This is part of your investment.

Cofradia Kitchen Kids 2023-09

The Cofradia Kitchen is back in service after summer break. Mati has done a great job training helpers which was very needed as she spent most of the month in the hospital. She is doing well and back at home. Please continue to pray for her health. Here are a couple of pics she took at the beginning of the month. Thank you all for your contributions to keep the kids fed in the mornings. They are hearing the Word which will NOT return void. Blessings!!

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)

Worship Night '23 in Cofradía

A number of different churches came out for a Worship night in Cofradia. It's awesome to see churches come together and worship together. This is the heart of "La Cofradía United"; to see churches unite in Worship. "Cofradía" means brotherhood. We are small brotherhoods that are part of a bigger brotherhood of believers.

Cofradia Kitchen Kids 2023-06

The Cofradia Kitchen continues each week morning. Pastor Goyo shared with me the impact it has had on a couple of children in the community. Kids are asking their parents to pray before their meals and other kids are coming to church on their own initiatives...without their parents prompting presence sometimes.

Thank you to all of you who have invested in this ministry. Finances are a little low right now and we may be considering reducing the days we give them breakfast. If you would like to partner with us this way, go to our "Donate to Cofradia Ministries" page and make a donation for "Cofradia Kitchen". We consistently are needing about $950 dollars each month.

Pastors' Perspectives 2023-2

These are bi-anual reports where our Cofradia United Pastors share what the Lord is doing in their areas and how you can pray for them. Thank you for your partnership as we continue to see the Kingdom of God advance.

You can directly contribute to one or all by following the instructions at our Donate To Cofradia Ministries page. Please include the pastor's name so the donation will get to the right person.

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Pastors Gregorio (Goyo) Hernández and Matilde (Mati)

Lead Pastors of Centro Cristiano la Cofradía United

Cofradia de Cuyutlán, Nayarit

Blessings friends for accompanying us with the breakfasts for the children each morning in Cofradía. My wife and I have been talking about the impact it’s had in the lives of the children. I’ll share with you a couple testimonies that we are familiar with and that fills us with joy to know. There is a boy that has been coming to church on Sundays, but he doesn’t come with his mom nor anyone else; he comes all by himself on his own will. We attribute this to the fact that he has been coming to the breakfasts since we started three years ago. Now he is in Jr. High so he does not come to the breakfasts, but still comes to church on Sundays.

Also, a mother of one of the little girls commented to us that now every time they eat, the little girl asks them to pray for the food like the pastor does at the breakfast kitchen. This is not to fill me with pride, but it gives us hope to have a better Christian society and as a result, a better society in general.

To all of you I say thank you for making an effort to support Cofradia United Ministries. Thousands of thank you’s and blessings!

From,

Pastor and wife, Gregorio Hernández and Maty Espinoza

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Pastors Horacio Garzón and María

Indigenous Ministries

Centro Cristiano Arrayanes Facilitators

Cofradia de Cuyutlán, Nayarit

Hello dear brothers and sisters. It is with great pleasure that I write you these lines to greet you and at the same time say THANK YOU! Thank you for your loving friendship in Christ and your generosity towards us. 

We thank the Lord that our health is good and pray your’s is as well.

As for the ministry, God continues to glorify himself as we recieve knowledge and understanding through the discipleship lessons that Pastors Goyo and Steve share with us. I am constantly challenged to deepen my ordinary relationship with God through their teachings.

I thank the Lord for the Discipleship Courses of Freedom in Christ and the Grace course; it has been a privilege to participate in those in months past.

We have studied a couple books, You’ve Already Got itand The Authority of the Believerby Andrew Wommack together. Both books help us to prosper in a victorious identity over the lies and schemes of the devil. It is very interesting to me to see the eficiency of the Word of God when it is read and believed.

Thank you brothers and sisters for your prayers and financial support.

___________________________________________

Pastor Amado Verdin and Lourdes

Lead Pastors of Casa de Oración, La Hermosa

Director of Restoration Center, El Faro de Esperanza

Rosamorada, Nayarit

Please click on this link for Amado's video update.

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Pastors Ruben Perez and Valeria 

Lead Pastors of Restauración y Vida

Church Plant Pastor in Mazatan, Nayarit

Las Varas, Nayarit

Greetings and blessings on behalf of our ministry Restoration and Life. In the     past 6 months, our family has seen the power of God and the restoration of the health of my two sons as they recuperate from cancer. Little by little, their health is being completely restored. We appreciate your prayers.

 

As for our ministry, we continue to work with pleasure and faith in two missions apart from our local congregation. We are restoring families through the Word of God: discipling and raising up leaders in the local churches. We are excited for what God is doing during these times with your help, our pastors, and the covering of La Cofradía United.

 

Blessings to everyone and we appreciate your unconditional support.

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Pastors Jimmy Orozco and Perla
Riviera, Nayarit

Hello, I’m Pastor Jimmy. My wife and family pastored in Tepic, Nayarit. Last year, we went through a time of intense personal growth and now we are in Riviera, Nayarit. We have been strengthened and prepared by the Lord for a new chapter in our lives as a family and ministry.

 

During the past six months, we have made Prayer and God’s Word as the FOUNDATION of our lives.

 

MINSITRY

-We have been serving and giving direction alongside our pastors to the church in Tepic where we speak once a month.

-We started a Zoom room Mondays through Fridays at 5am (PST) where we have an invitation to united ourselves in Worship, Prayer, and listening to the Word of God and it is POWERFUL…determination and consistency is the key!

-We are helping restore and man of God (a spiritual son) which we have dedicating time and hope that in three months he as ben able to align himself with the God’s Will and the Glory of the Lord in his life.

-On Tuesdays at 7:30pm, we started in-person meetings in the Riviera Nayarit for our neighbors and friends with the purpose of reaching them for the Lord. We have seen some incredible results in such a short time.

*Pastor Jimmy is requesting support in order to travel to Cofradía each weekend to help support the Youth Ministry and Sundays. He and his wife are priceless. Click on the link for Cofradia Ministries and make a contribution to Pastor Jimmy. Thank you!

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Pastors Alan Contreras and Carolina

Tepic, Nayarit

My name is Freddy Alan Contreras Magallanes. I'm pastoring the church, Cofradía United Tepic along with my wife, Carolina Reyes. Sundays we meet together as a discipleship group to study a book called, "The Believer's Authority" and we also have worship and a message.

Thank you.

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Pastors Rodrigo Romero and Annel

Cordero y Leon

Culiacán, Sinaloa

Pastor Rodrigo and his wife have made a video for their report that can be seen here or below.

Cofradia Kitchen Kids 2023-05

Mati's assistant is no longer able to help so she is now looking for another lady to help her each morning to feed the children breakfasts. Finances have been a little low the last couple months. If you would like to help provide a breakfast for these children before they go to school, you can contribute here. Please pray for another assistant and that the children would be impacted as they not only get fed, but receive a devotional each day from Pastor Goyo.