The mission of the Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care’s Adelante Ministries is to cultivate musical ability and Christian leadership, reach out to others in love and with God’s saving Gospel, and unite communities, families, generations, and races in celebration and worship.  As part of the Adelante Ministries, Mariachi San Pablo has dedicated itself to this mission over the last seventeen years.  Their dedicated members have traveled throughout the US to share the Gospel mariachi style at conventions, national gatherings, churches and their communities.

The first weekend of September, the group of seven volunteer musicians-three rhythm, two violins, one trumpet and one guitarron-hit the road to Santa Fe, New Mexico for their Fiesta Weekend.  Not only were they the main attraction at a Saturday concern hosted at and by Immanuel Lutheran Church, but they played hymns and popular mariachi songs at Casa Real Health Center and Santa Fe Care Center, assisted living facilities near each other.

“They loved the music,” Miguel Muñoz, director of Mariachi San Pablo and one of the three rhythm players, shared, “We’ve been to Santa Fe twice before but this year was the first time we were invited to play at these facilities.  It didn’t take long for people to be smiling and enjoying themselves.  They started requesting songs and were really enjoying the music.”

Mariachi San Pablo has traveled to cities from California to Florida, Alabama to South Dakota.  Their music was so well received everywhere they’ve been invited, and as soon as they start to play, differences between people, cultures, and languages just seem to disappear.  Although there are plenty of mariachi bands wherever there are Hispanic communities, what makes Mariachi San Pablo unique is they are the only Lutheran mariachi band in the US-this has given them the opportunity to serve as a bridge for outreach between Lutheran churches and their surrounding communities.

“Being a Lutheran mariachi band means we focus the music to the Word, and not the other way around,” Miguel shared in regards to the many well-known hymns they’ve modified and arranged throughout the years, “The lyrics stay true to Scripture-always.  It’s the style we collaborate together to modify.”

On Sunday morning, September 8^th, Mariachi San Pablo helped lead the worship service at Immanuel Lutheran Church by playing their renditions of “Seek Ye First” and “How Great Thou Art.”  Brunch was served afterwards, blessing the church family with fellowship as Mariachi San Pablo continued playing a medley of their best songs.

“It’s such a simple thing, the sharing of music,” Rev Dr. Karl Heimer, CEO of YLM, shared in regards to Mariachi San Pablo and the Adelante Ministries, “It’s also so powerful.  The joy, the peace, the love expressed in the lyrics and through the melody and harmony can become a vehicle through which lives are irrevocably changed.”

If you’re interested in having Mariachi San Pablo visit your church,
you can reach out to Miguel Muñoz at (915) 858-2588 or e-mail him at miguel.munoz@ylm.org