At the 2023 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Convention in Wisconsin, Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care’s (YLM) exhibit caught the eye of Nila Rodriguez, president of the LWML Pacific Southwest District. She was keen to feature Mariachi San Pablo as the main entertainment for their 2024 Pacific Southwest Conference and so, connected with the director of Mariachi San Pablo through YLM’s exhibitor.

Held in Rosedale, CA, the conference became a launching pad for Mariachi San Pablo to bring their unique Gospel mariachi style to surrounding churches and communities. They organized anniversary concerts, Sunday worship services, and various events across the Los Angeles area in the months leading up to the conference.

Before heading to California, Mariachi San Pablo performed a full concert at Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, TX, supported by Zion’s Handbell Choir. Zion Lutheran, a long-time supporter of YLM, welcomed a diverse audience who enjoyed the vibrant, faith-filled music. The concert was a significant moment, especially for the two newest and youngest members of Mariachi San Pablo, who donned their full mariachi regalia for the first time, joining their parents and other seasoned members in a professional and heartfelt performance.

The highlight of the conference was Mariachi San Pablo’s concert on Saturday evening, where upward of hundreds of ladies and gentlemen attending the conference enjoyed the opportunity to praise with joy and exuberance. Sunday’s closing worship service was moving, as Mariachi San Pablo played traditional Lutheran hymns known by many.

The next four days consisted of mariachi boot camp –a time spent honing their skills, sharing fellowship, and engaging in Bible study. Improving as musicians and as a team without distractions or interruptions was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

Their California tour continued with a performance at Hope Lutheran Church in San Diego, followed by an event at Canoga Park Lutheran Church. On their final Sunday, they played at Iglesia Luterana Santisima Trinidad in San Bernadino in the morning and at First Lutheran Church in Fontana in the afternoon. The joy and encouragement their music brought were evident in the enthusiastic responses from the attendees.

If you’d like to bring Mariachi San Pablo to your church or community, please contact
Miguel Muñoz at (915) 858-2588 or via email at miguel.munoz@ylm.org.