One Pastor Can Make a Difference-Ciudade Juarez

h1. Ciudade Juarez, MX h2. One Pastor Can Make a Difference March 2007 Our recently released documentary DVD, Transformational Churches, now available at our bookstore, tells the stories of four diverse congregations that have each embraced the ambitious challenge to retool their entire ministry and corporate life to serve the mission of transforming their communities. The following story is about one of those congregations, located in a city where it was obvious that not only did the gates of hell exist, but, until recently, they were controlling the city. This inspiring story illustrates how even the darkest area can be transformed when a few people dare to take God at His word. Read on and be encouraged! —Ed Silvoso Ciudad Juarez In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, a city notorious for violent crime and drug cartels, Pastor Poncho Murguia and his congregation Cruz de Gracia are a vivid example of what happens when Christians take the kingdom of God to where the gates of hell are. The story begins 12 years ago when Pastor Poncho decided to visit Argentina. He had heard the stories of what God was doing there and wanted to see it for himself. His stay in Argentina included a visit to Olmos Prison where he met prisoners who had once been the most depraved, violent and discarded of society and were now serving God and man with an intensity that startled him. Realizing these were not nominal “jailhouse conversions,” Poncho observed that Olmos prisoners occupied nearly every waking moment in prayer, worship or service to others. Many prisoners, for example, would spend hours on their faces in intercession; others actively gathered packages of food and small gifts they had received from family and friends to give to orphans and those they considered “less fortunate.” The impact of this experience was all the greater because, at the time, his city was receiving international attention for the growing epidemic of violent homicides against young women. Back in Mexico, Poncho had built a very successful church which was considered “cutting edge.” People were getting saved, the congregation was growing and positive things were happening. Now, however, he found himself confronted with a vision for change that was much bigger and deeper than what he previously believed possible. The inmates at Olmos were doing more from behind bars to change their nation than most “free” believers he knew. The passion for God they exuded was something he longed to see in everyone, especially back in his beloved Ciudad Juarez. Poncho returned to Mexico a desperate man. He knew there was more, and he had to have it. A DESPERATE ACT They say that desperate people do desperate things. From the perspective of conventional wisdom what Poncho did next would classify as a desperate act. Despite the fact that his church was a vibrant growing body of believers, the Lord clearly directed him to resign his post as senior pastor, turn the leadership over to others he had trained up, and then plant a new church with just a small core group of leaders. This was to be a radically different type of church – one built entirely on transformation principles, committed to seeing their city and nation transformed, designed not only to reach individuals, but to disciple their city, bringing lasting change to society. It was to be a new wine skin for the new wine. This was the birth of Cruz de Gracia, a transformation church.