For more than sixty years, Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey has shared the Gospel in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. This October, the historic congregation celebrated a joyful new chapter as Rev. Guillermo Leyva was installed as its pastor.
Established in 1962, Cristo Rey was the first Lutheran congregation planted in Ciudad Juárez. During the 1970s, Pastor Jaime Martínez, alongside Pastor Steve Hughey of Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, faithfully served the community through Word and Sacrament. Following Pastor Jaime’s retirement in the early 2000s, Cristo Rey continued its ministry without a formally called pastor.
Three years ago, as Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) and the Mexico Lutheran Synod (SLM) renewed their partnership, efforts began to bring Cristo Rey and two other independent Lutheran congregations into the Synod.
Earlier this year, Cristo Rey called Rev. Guillermo Leyva through the SLM. Having previously served in Matamoros, Mexico, Pastor Guillermo moved to Ciudad Juárez in late July to begin preparing for ministry with his new congregation.
And on a joyful Sunday afternoon, years of prayer and preparation came together as Cristo Rey celebrated both its reception into the SLM and Pastor Guillermo’s installation.
The small sanctuary was filled with members, visiting pastors, family, and friends. Newly received church pews, provided by Orphan Grain Train just weeks earlier, offered seating for the celebration. Members had worked together to clean and prepare the sanctuary, while freshly painted walls brightened the space thanks to an earlier Servant Event team of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) volunteers from the Utah-Idaho District.
Little did these volunteers know their work would help prepare the church for such a special occasion!
Mariachi San Pablo filled the sanctuary with joyful music, its rich sound carrying beyond the church walls and into the street. Pastor Guillermo’s happiness was evident, especially as his parents traveled from Mexicali to celebrate alongside his new congregation family.
Yet beyond the music and celebration was the greatest blessing: Cristo Rey had received a pastor to shepherd its people through Word and Sacrament.
For this historic congregation, the installation represents both a continuation of its Lutheran heritage and renewed opportunities to share Christ with future generations.
We praise God for His faithfulness and for the many hands He brought together to prepare Cristo Rey for this new chapter of ministry.
The newly painted walls and donated pews are beautiful reminders of what can happen when God’s people come together in service. But the greatest work within those walls is just beginning. With Pastor Guillermo now serving Cristo Rey, there are opportunities for worship, biblical instruction, pastoral care, reaching families who have yet to hear the Gospel, and formation of future leaders.
And just as volunteers and ministry partners helped prepare the sanctuary, you can help sustain the ministry taking place within it.
Through YLM’s Build Up in Love campaign, your generosity can provide ongoing pastoral support for the Church in Mexico.
With $31,500 still needed before the end of 2026, your gift can help carry this work forward.
The celebration may have lasted an afternoon, but the work of sharing Christ’s love continues every day. Be part of what God is doing in Mexico. Give to Build Up in Love and help these congregations carry the Gospel into the future.
