Mexico Focus

Letter from the Co-Director

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Coming to Mexico City over two years ago I had no idea what to expect. (And the unexpected certainly has happened during our time here, perhaps even on a weekly basis.) But I did have one clear objective upon arrival: Help lead an effort to start Christ-centered movements on more than 400 university campuses.

At the time, I felt that was a “big” dream, and one that would involve a lot of people and resources and a whole lot of faith. But as our group of leaders stared at this awesome responsibility placed within our small hands, God lifted up our chins ever so slightly and helped us see a broader horizon. What I beheld caused me to tremble. God wasn’t just asking us to seclude ourselves to the safe confines of the college campus, but He was requiring our participation in an effort already long underway – the transformation of His supercity.

I won’t ever forget that heart-pounding moment when the Lord spoke His will so clearly. We would launch movements on every college campus, but we must also focus our attention on the pressing needs of the whole city.

Fortunately for us, this really wasn’t so much of a pioneering effort as it was a collaboration effort. Without much ado, God opened up doors that would connect us with the rest of His body well at work within the city, and other believers from outside that would aide the venture. And in a short time, miracles happened as literally thousands of laborers mobilized together to raise up a network of over 50 campus movements and numerous other initiatives that encompassed everything from assisting the poor and caring for street children to engaging business executives and high-ranking government officials.

And now a new chapter unfolds in my own involvement in the story. As we began to come against the injustice of our city, my already existent passion for justice deepened, and old dream, long since buried, resurfaced. After prayer and contemplation and a period of seeking wise counsel, this passion for justice would lead me to apply to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Apparently, according to U.S. military measurements, I’m passing my prime and have reached the age limit for becoming an officer. This fact expedites the process, and the Marines have asked me to join the next officer class in January 2009.

So, as of December 31, 2008, I will transition from my role as Co-Director of Mexico Focus and will serve as Chief Visionary Officer, continuing to serve in a high-level advisory role in the citywide transformation process. Craig Johring, a truly visionary and gifted leader, will remain as the Director of Mexico Focus, overseeing an all-star team of nearly 30 fulltime staff and hundreds of volunteers.

This has been a wonderful journey that so many of you have shared with me. Although difficult to leave the immediate action of laboring in this awesome place, I look toward the horizon with an eager anticipation of the coming of the kingdom to Mexico City and continue my prayerful resolve in helping bring it to pass.

Ever yours for helping bring the Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven,

Joe "José Cruz" Cross

Staff Development

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:11:00 +0000

Talks

Should I Not Love that Great City? (required)
by Tim Keller

Embracing a Supernatural Faith (required)
by J.P. Moreland

Download the following reflection sheet and write out your responses for each talk. Your team leader or trainer will cover the questions with your team.
word document or pdf

Reading

The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church (required)
by Alan Hirsch

Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration
by Warren Bennis

Identity Development

Individual APEST Profile (required)

Myers Briggs Type Indicator on Facebook (required, one of these two)
Keirsey Temperament Sorter

Mission Acapulco 2009

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:13:00 +0000

Ready for a different kind of Spring Break or maybe just a week of adventure?

Come and join us in Acapulco, Mexico as we reach out to thousands of college students during their national Spring Break week! It's not just all fun and games though. You'll actually help put on a conference for hundreds of Mexican students that are just now learning how to invite others to experience God's love and forgiveness.

Make history by helping mobilize a new Latin American force in missions.

Dates: April 3-9

Location: Acapulco, MX

Price: TBD

More info coming soon!

Mission Acapulco 2009

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Rick Warren

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:30:00 +0000

Dr. Rick Warren is passionate about attacking what he calls the five “Global Goliaths” – spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education. His goal is a second Reformation by restoring responsibility in people, credibility in churches, and civility in culture. He is a pastor, global strategist, theologian, and philanthropist. He’s been often named " America's most influential spiritual leader" and “ America’s Pastor.” (1)

As a pastor, he founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., in 1980 with one family. Today, it is an evangelical congregation averaging 22,000 weekly attendees, a 120-acre campus, and has more than 300 community ministries to groups such as prisoners, CEOs, addicts, single parents, and those with HIV/AIDS. Recently, the church fed 42,000 homeless people – three meals a day – for 40 days.

He also leads the Purpose Driven Network of churches, a global coalition of congregations in 162 countries. More than 400,000 ministers and priests have been trained worldwide, and almost 157,000 church leaders subscribe to Ministry Toolbox, his weekly newsletter. His previous book, The Purpose Driven Church is listed in “100 Christian Books That Changed the 20 th Century.” Forbes magazine called it, “The best book on entrepreneurship, management, and leadership in print.”

As a global strategist , Dr. Warren advises leaders in the public, private, and faith sectors on leadership development, poverty, health, education, and faith in culture. He has been invited to speak at the United Nations, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the African Union, the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, TIME’s Global Health Summit, and numerous congresses around the world. TIME magazine named him one of “15 World Leaders Who Mattered Most in 2004” and in 2005 one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Also, in 2005 U.S. News & World Report named him one of “ America’s 25 Best Leaders”.

As a theologian, Dr. Warren has lectured at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Judaism, the Evangelical Theological Society, and numerous seminaries and universities. His six books are known for explaining theology in understandable ways and have been translated into more than 50 languages. Dr. Warren says he teaches theology without using theological terms and telling people it is theology. His latest book, The Purpose Driven Life, has sold 25 million copies and is the best-selling hardback book in American history, according to Publisher’s Weekly.

As philanthropists, Rick and Kay Warren give away 90 percent of their income through three foundations: Acts of Mercy, which serves those infected and affected by AIDS; Equipping the Church, which trains church leaders in developing countries; and The Global PEACE Fund, which fights poverty, disease, and illiteracy.

MEDIA QUOTES

The Weekly Standard - “… clearly among the two or three most influential Americans working from the west coast.”

The Economist - “Rick Warren is arguably the most influential pastor in America.”

The Times ( London) - “ Business and political leaders across America are turning to Rick Warren for guidance.”

Forbes - “Were it a business, Saddleback Church would be compared with Dell, Google or Starbucks.”

ABC News - “ The Purpose Driven Life is the epicenter of a spiritual shockwave taking root across America in unlikely places like offices and university campuses. It has become a movement.”

TIME - “Movie stars and political leaders aren't the only ones turning to Rick Warren for spiritual guidance. Millions of people – from NFL and LPGA players to corporate executives to high school students to prison inmates – meet regularly to discuss The Purpose Driven Life.”

(1) USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Boston Globe, TIME, Washington Post ,New York Times

2008 Stories

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:25:00 +0000

I Want My Life to Count
Surprise phone call starts one Mexico City student's journey.
April 29, 2008
by Sarah Freyermuth

Pablo Sanchez wanted to make a difference with his life. He just didn't know where to start.

Opportunities abounded among the over 18 million residents of Mexico City where he lives. Still, Pablo searched for better direction.

He asked his pastor. He read a book. Pablo even considered becoming a missionary. Eventually, a vision emerged to start on his campus, amid its roughly 1,000 students. But the task still seemed insurmountable.

Until his phone rang.

Unexpected Phone Call Brings Clearer Direction

The voice on the other line belonged to Emily Bastine, a staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ in Mexico City.

At first, the American's unexpected call confused Pablo. "When I answered the phone, I only heard her strange pronunciation that wasn't from my country," he says through a translator.

But after hearing more of what she had to say, Pablo realized she held the direction he had waited for. Her offer included assistance, encouragement and training for him to begin a student ministry on his campus.

Pablo's vision took on a new form. Fellow students could hear about Christ while he could use his gifts and abilities for God. "I saw it as impossible to talk to the whole school, but I felt that when I talked to Emily, I could complete my mission," he says.

One-time Opportunity Pays Off

Emily's call resulted from a pioneering search for Christians on the campus of Pablo's small dentistry school. The world's second largest city boasts nearly 400 universities and colleges, reportedly attended by over 1 million students.

But, Mexico City's campuses are not as accessible as they are in the United States. "There's security on each campus, and you can't get on without an I.D.," Emily says. Obtaining permission for non-students often only happens once, removing future possibilities. "You get one shot to try and find somebody or you're done."

Accompanied by a group of visiting American students, Emily got through security. The group began conversations with students, asking about their spiritual beliefs and if they knew anyone who loved God. One young lady, sitting alone, said she knew of one guy named Pablo. She gave Emily his cell phone number.

Surprisingly, Pablo did not even know this fellow student who had his number. "Even though it's a mystery for everyone, it's a sign that God wants to do something," he says.

Pablo and Emily scheduled a meeting off-campus for the following day.

Equipped Students Take Ownership of Ministry

The Campus Crusade team in Mexico City offers evangelism and discipleship training opportunities and ongoing support to nearly 70 student leaders, like Pablo, throughout the city. "We love and care for them and equip them to reach their campuses," says Emily.

Passing the baton of ministry serves several key purposes. "If we go on a campus, tell the gospel and no one trusts Christ, the gospel still leaves with us," Emily says. Finding believers already present creates opportunities for growth and dependence on God, not the staff members.

Pablo immediately embraced this vision and encouraged 2 of his friends to join with him. "Now I see that we are the ones that need to work," he says. "This is the work of those who are inside the school."

Students United by EM Staff to Start a Movement
March 10, 2008
by Kat Gately

Week two of Spring Breakers. We headed out to campus at IPN Turismo. In January, we had met two students, Navi and Melissa, while speaking at a local church. So we brought a Spring Break team to help them really launch a movement on their campus. We hit campus looking for more Christian leaders and sharing our faith alongside the Mexican students.

Through a series of events, God led us to meet with the director and secretary of the campus, who we found out were Christians. In their office, they explained how they could lose their jobs for helping Christians start a group (the campus is closed to religious affiliation), but they would grant us special permission to enter the campus whenever we needed because they wanted their students to know the power of Christ.

In the cafeteria, the Spring Break students found two more Christians who had been praying to start a group but were never able to find other students to help them. Attempts had been made, but they felt their dreams had failed. We connected the two groups, and in one day we finished with four students committed to praying for their campus. Just two days later they held their first meeting!

Student Comes to Christ and Wants to Start Movement
March 5, 2008
by Matthew Wiley

During the first week of Spring Break groups, we focused on a private, prestigious campus called Universidad Panamericana. Although difficult to enter, we were able to convince the security to let us tour the campus for a few hours. We had a few good conversations with students, but no one seemed interested in starting a Christ-centered movement.

A bit discouraged, we walked toward a courtyard area where several students were gathered. Since we had a number of folks in our group who did not speak Spanish, I decided to ask whether any of them spoke English. To my great surprise, one of them quickly answered that they all did. That gave us a burst of optimism, but as we pursued the conversation, it was clear that they were disinterested in our topics of choice. They all left to go to class a few minutes later, and we were left feeling the same as we had before.

Suddenly, from behind us, we were approached by a student who had overheard us speaking English with the other group and had been intrigued by our discussion. Diana explained that her mother had accepted Christ just last year and she had seen a wonderful change in her mother’s life since that time. Diana had been wanting to pursue the same avenue, but had not found anyone her own age that was a believer.

We spent the next hour or so speaking with her about Enfoque México’s vision for colleges in Mexico City and how she could start a movement on her campus. We agreed to meet on Friday, at which point we spoke more about the Gospel and why it was important for her to receive Christ. Though she didn’t feel ready at that point to make a decision, later that night at our weekly party for Spring Break and Mexican students, Diana prayed to receive Christ with Beth, one the Spring Break students.

The Lord was truly moving on campus that day. At just the moment when we started wondering whether we might find anyone interested in reaching their peers, a student who we ourselves had not even approached overheard our conversation and decided to approach us. She was ready to receive Christ, but needed someone with whom she could relate in order to make that decision. Diana is now in the process of finding other students at Panamericana to start a movement as she begins her walk with Christ in earnest.

First Movement Launch of 2008
January 21, 2008
by Joe Cross

Our newest team member, Matthew Wiley (pictured right with Andrea Byl), has already jumped into the fun in only his second day on campus. He pioneered at Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana today, along with Becky Choate (another great new staff woman pictured below) and Andrea Byl. Matthew put his newly acquired movement launching skills to the test as he searched for a movement leader. After talking with a few students, he was told he should wait to talk with a girl who would be out of class in 15 minutes.

When she appeared, the trio cast the vision to the unsuspecting young lady. The look on her face made Matt ask if she thought this was weird. To his surprise, she said that she had just been wondering how she could have more of an impact for Christ!

They walked the student through some basics and made a follow-up appointment. Upon returning for the follow up visit, they were introduced to another strong leader who helped initiate a new movement that continues to this day.

EMERGE

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:27:00 +0000

It's coming...the first major student mobilization event to hit Mexico City. 3,165 college students seeking the Lord for their city, joining a vast network of leaders ready to initiate missional Christ-centered movements on more than 400 college campuses across the world's second largest city.

Saturday, September 20th, in one of the most spectacular venues in Mexico City, a new generation of leaders will emerge to heed the calling of the Lord Jesus Christ to impact their world. It's not an event, it's an emergence.

Experience God's story of redemption.

Engage in the power of the cross of Christ.

Emerge ready to change your world.

Date: 2009

Time:
10:00 - 1:00 Morning Session
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch
2:00 - 5:00 Afternoon Session

Location:
Metropolitan Theater
Av. Independencia # 90
Col. Centro
México D.F. C.P. 06050

Registration: Coming soon through Ticketmaster

Transformation México

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:23:00 +0000

The Church as a Force of Global Transformation
"Defeating the Five Giants that Destroy our World" Rick Warren

"Catalyzing Transformation in Mexico"
Enfoque México

Website (in Spanish)

Dr. Rick Warren will begin the morning by highlight the five global giants and outlining a Christ-centered approach to tackling these issues through the P.E.A.C.E. Plan.

Mexico Focus will follow Rick with a presentation of the effort already underway in Mexico City. We hold the responsibility of connecting the pastors and university leaders to the citywide movement and creating a network to begin the transformation.

Date: August 8, 2008

Time: 9:00 - 1:00

Location: World Trade Center, Mexico City

Thank you to everyone who prayed for this event, and a huge thank you to those of you who made the journey down here to help us move forward in transforming this supercity! More than 3,000 people gathered in the WTC to hear Rick speak about transformation and how they can begin to join in the process.

Keynote in Mexico City

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:14:00 +0000

The band, Giants of Silence, worked alongside Mexican student leaders in February 2008 to host events on eight different university campuses.

During their time in Mexico City, they exposed just over 1,000 students to Christ, surfaced 200 people interested in talking more, and saw 15 surrender their lives to Christ.

Big Break Acapulco Registration

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:14:00 +0000

Register today as spots are very limited, and take advantage of this unique Spring Break opportunity!

Take me to the Big Break Acapulco registration page.

Passport

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:46:00 +0000

As of January 8, 2007, ALL persons traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport.

If you do not have a passport already, you will need to obtain one for your trip to Acapulco. The process is not hard, but it can take several weeks. Start the process today. (Please note that your passport may not expire within six months of your travel dates.)

For more information on obtaining a passport, visit www.americanpassport.com.

Travel

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:38:00 +0000

You will be flying into Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) on March 15th and departing on March 21st. We will provide free bus transportation for you from Mexico City to Acapulco. Book your flight now, as flights will fill up quickly with other Spring Breakers. You need to arrive at the airport before 2:00 p.m. on March 15th. Do your best to find a return flight in the evening on March 21st because your departure time will set the schedule for when we need to leave Acapulco to get you to the airport. If any of this is a problem, please tell us. You may use one of the following options to book your flight:

Campus Crusade’s travel agency BCD Trave l
Online booking company, such as www.bookingbuddy.com or www.sidestep.com.
After searching an online booking company, check the individual airline website to ensure that you find the best deal.

Once you have booked your flight to Mexico City, email your airline, flight number, and arrival time to Kevin at kevin@enfoquemexico.com, so we can be sure to greet you at the airport.

Accomodations

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:09:00 +0000

Strategically located in Acapulco's Golden zone, the 400 room hotel Club del Sol Acapulco is spread over five different buildings. Rooms offer the convenience of a kitchenette with a refrigerator, so you can keep your favorite foods within arms reach.

Location: The hotel sits close to numerous shops, markets, restaurants, nightclubs and one block from Acapulco's hip beach, Playa Hornitos.

Facilities: Facilities and services at the Club Del Sol include conference rooms, one restaurant, two bars, a nightclub, a currency exchange counter, travel agency, car rental, boutique and convenience store.

Other facilities include four swimming pools, a squash court, ping-pong tables, and pool tables. Optional motorized water sports, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing excursions are available from the travel agency.

The club Del Sol Acapulco also offers a Kids Club and a special play area for children between the ages of 4 to 10. Other features include a concierge, babysitting, wheelchairs and laundry.

Virtual Tour

Cost

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:53:00 +0000

We estimate your trip to Big Break Acapulco will cost between $699 and $899. The Lord will provide for your expenses! Trust Him and invite others to partner with you financially to reach 3,000 college students for Christ.

Registration (includes hotel, transportation from Mexico City, insurance, and materials): $209 (based on 4 per room for 6 nights)
Flight: $400-$600
Food: $90

Big Break Acapulco

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:06:00 +0000

In March of 2008, a group of Americans teamed up with students from around the Republic of Mexico to share the message of Christ with thousands of party-goers on the beaches of beautiful Acapulco. This four day conference allowed students to understand how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, share their faith effectively and launch missional Christ-centered movements on their campuses.

As a result of the conference:

3,300 people were exposed to Christ
208 people received Christ
110 Mexico Focus students committed to being a part of a movement
70 Mexico Focus students committed to helping a friend start a movement

High School Focus

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:45:00 +0000

An incredible opportunity exists right now among the youth of Mexico. A wave of ambitious adolescents now in high school have been dubbed the NAFTA generation. Growing up under the influence of the free trade agreement, these hip youngsters have seen an influx of commercial goods and prosperity and have been exposed to a bastion of ideas. They do not settle for their parents' views and have higher educational and economic goals. Yet with this new prosperity, they have seen a marked separation between the rich and the poor and stand poised ready to do something about it. We want to help them.

We work with high school leaders to help them learn how to live out their faith and impact the world around them. They have a greater hunger for life than the generation before them and simply need someone to come alongside them and help them find their purpose.

Currently we work on high school campuses that are directly linked with a university campus. We help student leaders launch movements and also engage in service opportunities.

In the summer of 2008, nearly 70 high school students from over 25 different nations gathered in Mexico City to reach out to other high schoolers and bless the city. One student put his perspective of the city into a video. Some of it looks like motion film, but it was all done with stills.

For information on upcoming opportunities with high school students, or if you want to work with this emerging generation in some way, contact us at info@enfoquemexico.com.

Business Focus

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:18:00 +0000

Mexico City is one of the most important economic hubs of Latin America. According to a study conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Greater Mexico City had a GDP of $315 billion in 2005, ranking it as the eighth richest urban agglomeration in GDP in the world and the richest in Latin America. In 2020 it will climb to the seventh largest with a $608 billion GDP. Mexico City alone would be the 30th largest economy in the world with a higher GDP than whole countries like Sweden and Switzerland.

The Mexican stock exchange and the country's largest banks and insurers as well as many international financial services conglomerates for Latin America are headquartered in the city. Televisa, the world's largest media corporation, calls Mexico City home.

God has begun to move in the hearts of businesspeople across the city in recent years. Several influential churches have begun to reach out to businessmen and women in order to help them develop their spiritual lives. The millions of businesspeople in the city also need to learn how to apply biblical principles to their daily lives and in their workplaces.

In order for this to happen, businessmen and women need other businesspeople to help equip them to live out their purpose in the workplace and serve the needs of their city.

How you can help: Through a partnership with some national and international leadership organizations, we help connect business leaders in order to facilitate biblical leadership and citywide transformation.

Would you consider coming to Mexico City to help equip and mobilize the current economic leaders of this great city?

Email us at info@enfoquemexico.com for more information.

Faculty Focus

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:24:00 +0000

Faculty and administrators from around the world will find an open door to exchange ideas in Mexico City. The student network here consists of some of the best and brightest emerging leaders in Latin America. And the university administrators enthusiastically welcome professors from other countries that would wish to come and help these students engage in the global community.

In partnership with Faculty Commons, we invite university faculty and administrators from around the world to come to Latin America's most influential city.

The vision: Develop dynamic relationships with top Mexican universities through faculty exchange in order to help current and emerging leaders engage in global affairs and local transformation.

How we can help: Because we work with hundreds of universities here in the city, we can setup several lecturing opportunities. We will help you connect with several different colleges and provide you with a translator when needed.

Most recently, we have had faculty speak at:

Tec de Monterrey - Ciudad de México

Universidad CNCI

These institutions have asked for return visits from faculty working with Enfoque México and have recommended our program to other universities.

If you are interested in the possibility of coming to Mexico City, email us at info@enfoquemexico.com.

University Focus

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 05:09:00 +0000

One million college students. Over four hundred universities, institutes, and campuses. The largest college campus in the world. The top university in the Spanish-speaking world.

You find them all here in Mexico City.

The vision: To launch missional Christ-centered communities on every one of these 400 campuses so that each of the one million students in Mexico City will know someone who truly follows Jesus.

Imagine the transformational power of 4000 spiritual movements committed to winning students to Christ, building them in their faith, and sending them to win, build and send others. They would transform the city and the world through the Good News and good deeds of Christ. This is the faith goal of Enfoque México, and you can have a part in making it a reality!

How much impact can you have in a week? A summer? A semester? Or a year? More than you will ever imagine! By simply walking on a campus and talking to students, you may just find the future leader(s) who will revolutionize that school for Christ. You may help someone experience the love of Christ for the first time. It could happen in a matter of hours. We truly believe that God is ready to mobilize His people to radically change our world.

How to get involved in Mexico City:

Serve

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 03:56:00 +0000

According to UNICEF, some 43.5 percent of the Mexican population are children under the age of 18. Due to poverty, many children migrate, with or without their families, within rural areas, from rural to urban areas, among urban areas, and to the United States. This results in family instability and a large number of working children. According to 1996 statistics, 3.5 million children aged between 12 and 17 are part of the formal or informal labor force.

Economic growth over the last decade has made Mexico an upper-middle income country, but there remain tremendous disparities and social exclusion. Approximately 24 million Mexicans live in extreme poverty.

In Mexico City, a city of 28 million people, the needs are massive. A stringent adoption system leaves thousands of children in orphanages. Many children live on the streets. A five dollar daily wage provides little with which to survive. Government corruption and inefficiencies make it hard to rise up. Disillusionment and a fatalistic mindset of communism lingers.

However, a new generation is emerging. The current high school and college students have grown up connected to a global community. They live on Facebook and MySpace, spend hours on their cell phones, and communicate with other students around the world. They are not satisfied with the status quo. They want to impact the world.

You have an opportunity to come to Mexico City to help meet the needs of the city, and at the same time, help this emerging generation of leaders engage in citywide transformation. Below are just a few of the service opportunities we offer through Mexico Focus:

Casa Alianza

Mexico City has 1,900,000 underprivileged and street children. 240,000 of these are abandoned children. In 1991, an estimated 11,172 children lived on the streets in the center of Mexico City. Casa Alianza now estimates the number at 30,000 in the metropolitan area. Most of these children live in deplorable conditions and resort to drug use to find an escape.

Casa Alianza is an independent nonprofit organization working with these street children in Mexico City. They help willing kids come off the streets, break their addiction to drugs, reintegrate into the educational system and find a good job at the age of 17. Casa Alianza works within the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to combat illegal adoption, child trafficking and the exploitation of children as a labor force.

Visit their website.

For more information about our partnership with this international organization, email us at info@enfoquemexico.com.

Operation Serve

Mexico is a nation rich with natural resources yet stricken with devastating poverty. The heart of God cries out for the men, women and children suffering with poverty, abuse, neglect and physical afflictions. You can help provide hope and healing by joining an Operation Serve team and ministering to these critical needs. We are looking for:

Medical, Dental, and Optical Professionals
Cosmetologists and Hair Stylists
Interpreters
Mechanics and Engineers
Dramatists and Musicians
Teachers
Preachers
Anyone With a Servant Heart

Find more details here.

Then, contact us at info@enfoquemexico.com if you're interested in working alongside Operation Serve.

Dar y Amar (Give and Love)

For women only.

Come help minister to young mothers and their children who have taken refuge from the streets and from threatening situations. Dar y Amar provides counseling, trauma rehabilitation and personal development to these young women. They bring them into a safe and loving environment and help them recover their womanhood, while teaching them how to live as a mother and raise a healthy family.

For more information, contact us at info@enfoquemexico.com.

Organizational and Church Partnerships

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:42:00 +0000

Citywide transformation can only happen through real partnerships with the local church so that the body of Christ lives and serves as a whole entity. The local church then works alongside other organizations to meet the needs of the city. These are the churches, ministries, and organizations that we call friends and partners:

Asambleas de Dios

Campus Crusade - Denver Metro, Great Plains International, New Orleans, Red River Region,
University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Casa Alianza México

Casa San Francisco

Centro Cristiano Calacoaya

Centro Familiar Cristiano

Cornerstone Church - Boulder, CO

Comunión con Cristo

Conducidos con Propósito

Dar y Amar

Grace Community Church - Overbrook, KS

Jóvenes con Decisión

Juventud Con Una Misión (YWAM) - Pachuca

Hábitat para la Humanidad México

Ministerios de Embajada del Reino

La Película Jesús

Operación Servir

Vida Estudiantil

Enter the Harvest

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:25:00 +0000

“Give me one hundred men who love Jesus with all their hearts and who do not fear men or devils and I care not one whit whether they are clergy or laity, with these men I will change the world and usher in the kingdom of God in one generation!”

- John Wesley

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

- Jesus

Right now a great harvest is taking place in Mexico City. What God does here in the world's second largest city will send shockwaves throughout Latin America and will impact the rest of the world. If you long to be used greatly by God, we invite you to come to Mexico City and join a faith-filled team that is believing God for revival and citywide transformation.

THE 2008-2009 YEAR IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL AS WE WILL HOLD SOME MAJOR EVENTS TO MOVE US FORWARD IN THE MISSION OF STARTING MISSIONAL CHRIST-CENTERED MOVEMENTS ON 400 CAMPUSES. COME AND JOIN US IN THIS HISTORIC EFFORT.

We currently have a great need for people gifted in these following areas:

Apostles/Pioneers

Men and women who will help pioneer movements on new universities.
Taking new ground and believing God for rapid multiplication.

Shepherds

Caring for and developing hundreds of new student leaders and equipping them to reach their campuses for Christ.
Coming alongside new believers and helping them grow in their faith.

Teachers

Giving students a solid biblical foundation to live as a Christ-centered laborer.

Administration

Helping oversee the creation and administration of The Network of pastors, businessmen, government leaders, organizations, ministries, and student leaders

Video Production

Developing videos to cast the vision of citywide transformation to thousands of pastors, businessmen, city leaders and student leaders
Using your creativity to communicate with The Network on an ongoing basis via video
Creating video training elements to enable students to launch thousands of missional Christ-centered movements

Graphic Design/Web Design (MAJOR NEED)

Designing a website that will facilitate prayer, communication, and strategy development for The Network
Enhancing our ministry materials to help capture the hearts and minds of students

Conference Planner

Organizing the details for a 3,000 person pastors' event and a 3,000 student leader event

Service Coordinator

Helping develop our partnerships with service organizations and humanitarian aid networks in order to meet the needs of the city

Professional Grant Writer

Developing grant proposals that will help Enfoque México minister to the needs of 28,000,000 people (could work on a voluntary basis)

We need you to come and use the skills God has given you to bless this nation! Contact us at info@enfoquemexico.com.

Study With A Mission

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:55:00 +0000

We call it S.W.A.M. You call it study abroad, which it is, but with a missional kick-in-the-pants.

Why just study abroad when you can do it and rock a university or two for Jesus in the process? You benefit by coming alongside an existing ministry that will provide you with biblical training in following Jesus and launching movements, connections to other strong believers, retreats to some beautiful locations, and an opportunity to raise funds to help you cover your ministry expenses. You simply devote a few hours each week to ministry.

This program relies upon the current structure in place with your school, should you desire to receive credit for your classes. Here is how it works:

Check with your international program office to find out which schools you can study at in Mexico to receive credit.
Email us at partner@EnfoqueMexico.com to tell us which university you would like to SWAM at.
We will send you a short application for SWAM and help you start raising your support.

SPRING SEMESTER 2009 SCHEDULE

Mar. 1-31 Spring Break Groups in Mexico City (U.S. college students visiting)

April 5-9 Mission Acapulco (national student conference during Semana Santa)

MEXICO JOURNEY! SUMMER PROJECT (SEPARATE)

You have the option of staying in Mexico to participate in a traveling summer missions project. You can find out more information on that here.

For more information on SWAM, contact us at info@EnfoqueMexico.com.

Contact Us

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:12:00 +0000

For more information concerning the Mexico Focus ministry and opportunities or for website issues, please email us at info@EnfoqueMexico.com.

Need to speak to a human right now? Call us at 310-734-6407.

Budget

powercat50@hotmail.com (Joe Cross) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:20:00 +0000

We estimate your movement-launching trip to Mexico City will cost between $795 and $995. The Lord will provide for your expenses! Trust Him and invite others to partner with you financially.

Flight: $300-$500
Hotel: $210
City Travel: $70
Food: $140
SOS Travel Insurance: $25.50
Registration Cost: $50*

*You only pay $50 to come down (to cover outreach materials) and your SOS Insurance Fee. You will pay for your hotel on your own. Hotel, flight, travel, and food are generous estimations of what you may spend. Your actual cost could be significantly lower.