Howard L. Schug
The Word and Work, 23(May 1930), 145-6.
The New Testament has always been our model and pattern for missionary service for the extension of Christ's church throughout the world, and it must remain so always. The zeal and devotion of the early disciples, the their self-denial and consecration, their mutual love and fellowship which they expressed in a very active unity, praying for each other, helping each other, contributing to each other "giving until it hurt and then giving until it did not hurt any longer"--a unity that resulted in rapid growth of the new truth and fellowship--all these are exemplified beautifully in the Mexican missions of the past year, in those responsible for the work, in the workers, and in those who believed. In this present age a church that gives ten per cent. for missions, feels that it is doing well enough. I believe that the early church reversed this, giving at least ninety per cent for others. And they grew and were blessed because of that. I believe that the Mexican work has succeeded for that very reason.
The Sweetwater church of Christ has been responsible for one full-time missionary, Brother Daniel R. Sanchez. The El Paso church has been responsible for Brother John Wolfe. Other churches have helped. The church meeting in the auditorium of Abilene Christian College has aided in the support of Bro. Hilario Zamorano. Colorado, San Benito, Harlingen, Ranger, Sinton, and other place have helped freely in finances, in prayers, /146/ and in brotherly fellowship. The self-denial, zeal, and consecration of such workers as Brothers Sanchez, Brother Wolfe, Brother Zamorano, and Brother Jesse Gill, need to be seen and felt to be appreciated. The prayers, letters, counsels, dollars and cents, and the love that these and many other self-sacrificing Christians have sent to every frontier of the work cannot be measured. In fact each one would prefer that God alone should have the praise, but they have all aided in the victory.
In November, 1928, when Brother Wolfe began his work in El Paso, there were about eighty members of the church of Christ among the Mexicans in Sweetwater, Abilene, Colorado, and Sinton, and a few scattered members in other places where they could find no scriptural worship their tongue. But now there are scattered over Texas some two hundred and fifty members, besides those in Old Mexico. Harlington has 14 members who meet in a rented hall. Bro. Steve D. Williams leads the American congregation there and Brother Sanchez founded the Mexican church there in 1929. Bro. Rosendo Cantu, of San Benito, preaches to the Mexican church.
San Benito has 33 members who meet in a rented hall. Bro. Foy. E. Wallace, Sr., was one of the leading spirits to encourage this work and to sacrifice for it. Bro. Sanchez started the Mexican here in 1929. Bro. T. C. Sauceda preaches for them and for ten members at Mercedes.
Sinton has a fine congregation of about 30 members. This congregation was revived, "taught the way more perfectly," and restored to activity, by Bro. Hilario Zamorano, about two years ago. Bro. Moody is a good friend and helper in the American church. The Mexican brethren have a fine new church building and Bro. Jorge Sanchez preaches to them.
Corpus Christi has 19 members meeting in a rented hall. Bro. Sanchez founded this church in January, 1930. Brother L. E. Carpenter is preacher to the American church, and a strong friend of the Mexican congregation.
Bayside has a congregation of 25 members. They need a church house. Brother Jorge Sanchez preaches to them.
Sweetwater, Colorado, and Big Spring are the field ("husbandry") of Bro. Jesse Gill, through whose efforts, aided by the American congregation, and by Bros. Sanchez and Zamorano, many members have been led to Christ. The American congregation has helped the Mexican brethren build a fine little church-house at Sweetwater, where there are about 40 members; Colorado has 15; Big Spring, 4.
El Paso has about 25 members and is steadily and firmly growing, led by Brother Wolfe. Through Bro. Wolfe's earnest, efficient and consecrated efforts, they are planning to reach out into New Mexico and Old Mexico.
Abilene, the oldest field of all, has a good church building. The twelve members are led by Bro. Hilario Zamorano and Bro. Schug.
There are also scattered members at Barstow, Eastland and Bess, that need a preacher and shepherd.
These reports are very encouraging, but we must not close our eyes to the great needs of the field. Some of the preaching brethren are not fully supported; some smaller congregations are burdened too heavily; some centers of Mexican population (five large cities in Texas, especially) have not even started; there are probably a half million Mexicans on this side of the Rio Grande and there are sixteen and one-half millions on the other side. Can we shove the responsibility of their salvation over on the Catholics and others who use unscriptural names and ways or are we responsible for them? Let us work and pray for their salvation.