Online Resources Help Ministry Leaders in Mexico

Many of us today might not picture a pastor having to spend time in a library looking for books and commentaries while working on a sermon. But that’s what many pastors in Mexico do, because digital book licenses and services have been hard to come by for many of the ministry leaders there.

In response to this need, Resonate missionaries Dave Gifford, Abe Lee, and James Lee worked recently with Resonate donors to help put resources in the hands of ministry leaders with whom they work—pastors who have graduated from All Nations Seminary and ministry leaders who work with COMPA Mexico campus ministry. Scattered throughout Mexico, these leaders are preaching, leading Bible studies, and discipling believers.

Gifford, Lee, and Lee asked supporters to give to a special project fund that would help ministry leaders gain access to a digital library through Logos Bible software. The library provides access to a variety of biblical commentaries; dictionaries; translations of the Bible in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek; and other books and tools that help ministry leaders dig deeper—both for personal Bible study and for crafting sermons and other materials that they share through their ministries.

Mary Olguin, national director of COMPA Mexico, said that the library has been helpful for her and her staff as they disciple students and young professionals in Mexico. 

“This tool enables them to prepare more in-depth studies, giving access to new insights that broaden our vision and understanding of the Bible—its context, the purpose of specific passages, and how each part contributes to the Bible's overall message,” said Olguin.

“One of the key aspects of COMPA’s ministry is deep engagement with Scripture—the discipleship of the mind,” she continued. “Loving and studying the Bible are essential to being and making disciples of Jesus Christ in ministry with students and graduates . . . this tool helps us grow to know the Lord more deeply and to make him known.”

Pastor Hernán Almaraz Ortega is another ministry leader who has benefited from this project. He leads a small missional church called Jesús el Salvador (Jesus the Savior).

Before he had access to resources through Logos Bible software, he was limited in what he could research—it depended on how many books he could afford to purchase and carry home on the bus. He says that having access to Logos software is like having help from a librarian whenever he needs it.

But he is careful to say that the software enhances study and doesn’t replace it.

“It is only a means to bring the student closer to the resources, but it doesn’t do the work for us,” he said.

“I really love being able to do all that work more simply – something that previously took me too much time,” he added. “Now I have the information at a moment's notice. I love being able to immediately answer the doubts that arise in biblical studies.”

Overall, Gifford, Lee, and Lee were able to raise $15,000 through supporters and provide digital library access to 38 ministry leaders. And the project has ensured that the ministry leaders will have access to Logos resources for many years to come.

In addition, said Gifford, “These packages have a ripple effect. They are a blessing to pastors and other leaders, but then through that, they bless many others.”