For twenty years, Mariachi San Pablo from the Adelante Ministries of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) has been spreading the Gospel mariachi style throughout the United States and Mexico.  From the first ensemble in 2001, many of the members have gone on to serve their church, their communities, and their country.

Among the first members of Mariachi San Pablo, Miguel and Maritza Muñoz, who were high school students at the time, and Stephen and Krysia Heimer, are still part of this talented and dedicated group of musicians.  Stephen, now the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, helped co-found Mariachi San Pablo alongside Pastor Jose Ruiz Ovalle.

“I would follow him, observe him, and take notes,” Pastor Stephen shared during the Anniversary concert held the last Saturday of July at San Pablo Lutheran Church, “He was very knowledgeable about mariachi music, with years of experience, and he loved God.  I learned a lot from him.”

In the last twenty years, Mariachi San Pablo has traveled to over 106 cities, playing beloved Christian hymns and songs arranged for the mariachi, along with popular mariachi songs.  They have helped lead worship services, performed at conferences, conventions, and community wide events.

“I had the privilege of going to my first LWML Convention this year,” Luz, YLM’s communications person, shared after the trip to Kentucky in June for the 39^th Biannual LWML Convention, “So many people came by the YLM exhibit booth to share their memories of the times they’ve heard and seen Mariachi San Pablo.  I lost count of how many ladies shared they had enjoyed their playing for the Albuquerque convention—two years ago!”

Their 20^th Anniversary celebration started off at the end of July with the concert held at San Pablo Lutheran Church, with over 40 people attending.  Several of the attendees were hearing Mariachi San Pablo for the first time, buying some of their CDs afterwards.

“We have recorded and released 4 CDs in the last twenty years,” Miguel Muñoz, present director of Mariachi San Pablo, explained, “And we’re now recording tracks for a couple more, one of them being our 20^th Anniversary CD.”

Thanks to the 2019 LWML grant for YLM’s music ministry, the renovated building for the music ministry now has a fully functioning and equipped recording studio.  Recording began taking place the last week of July.

“The first concert we did at San Pablo is one of many,” Pastor Stephen shared, “We’re heading to South Dakota the last weekend of August for several concerts, as well as a worship service at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre.”

This out-of-town trip will have Mariachi San Pablo playing in Pierre, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, SD in a 3-day period.  It’s been a couple of years since Mariachi San Pablo has traveled a long way from home, but all the members of the team are excited and ready to get “back on the road.”

“We’re definitely wanting to travel more,” Maritza, violinist with Mariachi San Pablo, shared after a rehearsal, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to share the Gospel, as well as the work God is doing through YLM.”

With rehearsals taking place weekly, sometimes twice a week, this ministry team is dedicated to fulfill their calling with excellence, ready to share the Gospel, for to Mariachi San Pablo, music comes with a mission.