CRWRC began working in Mexico in 1969 and continued until 1998. In 2003, CRWRC agreed to work with the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico to begin a diaconal program with the Chol presbytery in Chiapas, the poorest state of Mexico. Since CRWRC has no staff in Mexico, they made an agreement with AMEXTRA (Mexican Association of Rural and Urban Transformation), their former partner, to oversee the day-to-day development of the work while Moisés Colop, CRWRC staff in Guatemala, visits quarterly for training and supervision. In July 2005, administration was shifted from AMEXTRA to the Chol Presbytery, a big step and new responsibility for them.
Fast Facts
Population: 111,211,789 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Literacy Rate: 91%
Life Expectancy: 76.06 years
Population below the poverty line: 13.8% using food-based definition of poverty; asset based poverty amounted to more than 40% (2006)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $14,200 (2008 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% (2000 census)
Languages: Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Mexico)
CRWRC Partners in Mexico
Reformed Presbyterian Church – Chol Presbytery (IPR – Iglesia Presbiteriana Reformada) The deacons of the Chol Presbytery reach out to people in need in the Chiapas area of Mexico through programs in:
Agriculture: The deacons train members of area churches in topics like land use and animal husbandry. These church members then share their knowledge with other farmers in their communities. As a result, farmers across the region are increasing their production of crops like maize, beans, and fruit.
Diaconal Training: The diaconal committee trains deacons and church leaders in how to identify needs in their communities and respond with appropriate community programs.
CRWRC Staff in Mexico
CRWRC does not have any staff in Mexico. Instead, Moises Colop (CRWRC-Guatemala) provides consultation to the deacons of the Chol Presbytery and visits there regularly.
EMAIL: crwrcgua@itelgua.com