Mexico Update Spring-Summer 2026
Blessings from Los Angeles, California! I arrived back home on August 10 as I have officially been reassigned to continue expansion of SEPE International in Tocoa, Honduras in 2027. I am currently on furlough to reconnect with my family, sending church, and donors. As I write this, I am saddened to have left my home in Mexico, but also excited to begin this new chapter of ministry. I pray this update is of encouragement to you as I share what the Lord has been doing in my last couple of months in Mexico. I also write with gratitude for you taking the time to read these updates, pray for me, and support me. May the Lord bless you greatly.
February
My dad and I had the opportunity to attend Vintage Conference in Phoenix, AZ. We were both immensely blessed by the preaching, teaching, and fellowship that we were able to experience there.
March
I had the great privilege of going back home to reconnect with friends and family, attend a TMU chapel service, the TMAI Symposium, and Shepherds Conference.
On March 13 we had pastors from California, Bethel Christian Church and Neighborhood Church, give a conference on evangelism at Bethel Baptist Church in Nogales, Sonora. They were very kind to donate the IXMarks book "Evangelism" by J. Mack Stiles to each attendee.
April
Friends came to visit me on Easter weekend! I was invited to preach on Good Friday at Principe de Paz Baptist Church and it was very encouraging to have my friends there.
May
I got baptized! When I was 13 years old, I was baptized as an unbeliever. In one TMU chapel service, Dr. Chou preached on the topic of the local church. I remember he emphasized baptism as a believer, and if I remember correctly, he looked directly at me and repeated 3 times; "believe and be baptised". So, during the membership process at Iglesia Bautista Bethel (my home church in Mexico) I shared my desire to obey and be baptized to my pastors, and they were on board to baptize me at the church camp. My parents came to visit as well, so it was a great time with church family in Mexico.
I was also able to visit a friend in Agua Prieta, Sonora and his church. He has recently taken up the responsibilities of the lead pastor because the old pastor is struggling with health issues. I preached from Mark 15, the crucifixion of Christ, and I was glad to see the congregation encouraged as we fellowshipped after. We were even able to drive from Agua Prieta to Cananea and visit another couple that we knew (who are expecting a baby soon)!
Toward the end of May, Pastor Jonathan Dale and his wife from Kansas came to Nogales for a vision trip. They were able to connect with several pastors and their families, and visit two church plants. They left encouraged and willing to help with a VBS in one of the church plants.
June
My brother Caleb visited for two weeks while on vacation from school. He served with the maintence guy at the seminary, serving in cleaning and yard work. I was super encouraged by his stay with me. I also was able to preach at my mexican home church, Bethel, on the love of God. It was a great month!
July
My dad started seminary classes in the beginning of July. He came to sit in his first class in-person. He is continuing his studies from home/online. You may pray for him as he finishes the challenge of this first class; Spanish grammar, and that he may be diligent to study well as he begins hermeneutics soon.
I was also invited by church families to join them on a 4-day trip to San Carlos, Sonora. We enjoyed the fellowship and much time on the beach.
August
A friend came from LA to help me pack and drive, and thankfully he was able to enjoy some time in Sonora too. I enjoyed my last moments in Mexico visiting families, preaching one last time, and teaching one last lesson to the youth group on godly friendships. It was a sad sunday night when I was going around saying goodbye to the church families. It's only been a day and I already miss them so.
Petitions
That I would find my new rhythm back home while still handling my SEPE International work well (that being marketing, communications, and STM planning for 2027).
As I preach and present my mission-field work in churches, that they would respond favorably by committing to pray for me, and if the Lord wills, give as well.
That I would especially be an encouragement to my sending church in LA as I minister through preaching and teaching to the youth as much as I can.
In Christ,
Jonathan Lopez
Dios bendiga tu vida hoy y siempre, saludos.