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Espinoza Named Superintendent of IEMM in Mexico
OAXACA, MEXICO (September 19, 2002) - OAXACA, MEXICO (
September 19) - Everado Espinoza has been named as the first superintendent
of the Evangelical Missionary Church (known in Mexico as the IEMM) during
the organization's 30th Annual Meeting.
That action by the General Assembly came during the 50th anniversary
celebration of the IEMM September 13-15.
Four pastoral couples were also recognized for their service, including:
Austreberto and Quirina Alvarez, who served 35 years; Ignacio and Gloria
Alvarez (no relation), who served 33 years; Luis and Miryea Chavez, who
served 33 years; and Ricardo (who
died three years ago) and Consuleo Lira, who served 24 years.
The IEMM is one of two organizations doing ministry as part of the
Evangelical Covenant Church. It includes 13 churches and two developing
ministries involving about 500 people in the northern district of Mexico.
The other governing body, the Evangelical Missionary Covenant Church (known
as the IEMP), includes southern and central districts.
The IEMM Annual Meeting adopted the theme "Begin It With Me" as the IEMM
focused on renewal for its members and ministries. It was founded in 1952,
according to the denomination's Department of World Mission, although
mission efforts began in 1946 under the former home missions department.
Ministry began with Latin American people in southern Texas and Mexico
under the leadership of Ralph Hanson, who served as executive director 19
years for the denomination's missions department. Hanson hoped that
southern Texas congregations could reach a vast population of migrant
workers near the Mexican border.
On November 19, 1950, The Evangelical Missionary Church (Iglesia Evangelica
Misionera) in La Villa, Texas, was dedicated with 49 charter members under
pastor Levi Hagberg. Shortly thereafter, Andy and Marie Rojas became
pastors at the La Villa church. They are credited with being the founders
of what is now the IEMM because of their exemplary evangelistic work and
practical helps to numerous areas of in Mexico.
Andy and Marie Rojas expanded Bible training and helped save the lives of
many children by helping to improve medical care. Before their arrival,
about half the babies in the area died before the age of one, according to
a video produced by the Department of World Mission and shown to IEMM
delegates.
For more information about the IEMM and its recent annual meeting, email
Nancy Reed, coordinator for Hispanic church relations in the Department of
World Mission, at nancyreed@compuserve.com. More information about
ministries in Mexico can be found on the world mission/countries link via
www.covchurch.org.
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