Members of Our Father Lutheran Church (Centennial, CO) enjoyed the music of Mariachi San Pablo during an Oktoberfest celebration

Since its beginning in 2001, Mariachi San Pablo of the Adelante Ministries of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) has been traveling throughout the United States, and in Mexico, to help spread the Good News through the joyful sound of mariachi music. Through their multiple tours, they’ve spread the news of God’s work being done through YLM, sharing how God uses individuals and their unique skills and talents in many different ways to further His kingdom.

Mariachi San Pablo were part of Our Father’s worship service Sunday morning

This year, Mariachi San Pablo has slowly begun to get back on the road, working with different churches and organizations to bring the Gospel, mariachi style, to hundreds of individuals who are eager to praise to the sound of trumpets, guitars, violins, vihuelas, and the guitarron.

Our Father Lutheran Church from Centennial, Colorado invited Mariachi San Pablo to join them for their weekend Oktoberfest, where many people enjoyed the wonderful mariachi music that has roots to German polka music. Families attended the weekend festivities, enjoying the opportunity to praise with joyful exuberance. One of their previous violinists who now lives in Colorado, Vivian, joined them during their Saturday and Sunday performances, easily falling into place along with the other violin players.

Mariachi San Pablo share about the origin and history of mariachi music, as well as the instruments, during Concordia-Texas’ Hispanic Heritage Celebration

The group of dedicated musicians flew back to El Paso on Sunday evening, rested on Monday, then hit the road on Tuesday morning towards Austin, Texas, where they were asked to perform for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration that took place at Concordia University-Texas. On their way there, they stopped by San Antonio to pick up Gabry, their base player who is a freshman at the University of the Incarnate Word.

Mariachi San Pablo share about the work taking place through Ysleta Lutheran Mission everywhere they go

During their time at Concordia, Mariachi San Pablo had the opportunity to “show and tell” about their instruments, the origins, history and style of mariachi music to students and professors interested in learning more.

“We played during chapel and afterwards, while people ate their Mexican style pastries,” Miguel, the director of Mariachi San Pablo, shared with a laugh, “And in the cafeteria…so we played for our food, just like in the old mariachi times.” A laugh was shared by all as memories of when they used to do just that came to mind.

The members of Mariachi San Pablo enjoyed the time spent at both locations, getting to see old friends at Our Father in Centennial, as their congregation has been partnering with YLM for over 25 years, and meeting new people at Concordia-Texas, where several of the students recognized the musicians due to prior mission trips taken through YLM or past performances at their own churches.

After the packed time spend flying and driving, Mariachi San Pablo is returning to their normal rhythm of rehearsals and music classes, preparing for the coming Advent and Christmas services at local churches where they are asked to join in the worship of the coming Savior.