Tecate Ministry Spotlight
One way that Cornerstone is obedient to Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations happens two and a half hours south from Long Beach. Missions can be defined as establishing a local church across cultural, geographic, and linguistic boundaries. Cornerstones efforts in Tecate Mexico are just that.
For many years Pastor Dan has come alongside Iglesia Comunitaria de Girasoles in Tecate Mexico. This church is led by Pastor Fransisco Hernandez who is a Tecate local and long time friend of Pastor Dan. Our missional work in Tecate is both a blessing to the community that we serve, and a blessing to us as we get to witness and encourage God’s family across cultural, geographic and linguistic barriers.
What we do.
While in Tecate we stay at Rancho La Paloma (https://rancholapaloma.org/). Here we are accommodated by dorm style rooms, meals, and meeting places for our group. In my experience, our time at Rancho la Paloma has been a place of spiritual rest and meaningful fellowship.
Our service in Tecate varies from trip to trip. Most often, we are in a community called Girasoles or “Sun Flower”. This is where our church partner is located. On trips I have been on we have built houses, constructed additions to their church facility, and worked on various projects in the community. On top of these examples of physical labor, our team has provided training for mothers accompanied by child care, practiced evangelistic outreach in the community, and even had spiritual conversations while getting haircuts at the local barbershop. On top of these things we host a community barbeque and give our best efforts in a soccer game with the local kids which often ends in our defeat.
Why we do it.
These efforts would be incomplete without asking the question, “Why?”. Our “why” is that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We, by our actions, have earned spiritual death (Romans 6:23). There is a spiritual need we all have. More than the physical things we can provide to the community in tecate, we can provide for the greatest spiritual need the community has. The need for the good news of Jesus.
The physical projects are a tool we use to show the love and care of Jesus. As we build we work with community members. This opens doors to spiritual conversations. In the past I have been caught up in getting the work done. The Lord over my past few trips has reminded me to slow down and have “spiritual sight” as I work, not just physical. This has allowed me to pray for the family we are building for, stumble through a spiritual conversation with broken Spanish, and encourage those I work with.
On top of the service and encouragement we provide, we often get to hear testimonies from the community in Tecate about how the Lord has saved them. Along with these testimonies we get to sing praises in both Spanish and English to our great God. By these things we get to be encouraged as well.
How we do it.
With the help of the Lord we get to serve the community of Tecate with glad and generous hearts. We will be tired, there will be times where we feel out of our comfort zone, and we will be encouraged to try new things. But as we participate in the things that the Lord calls us to, we will continue to be formed in the likeness of Jesus. Because of this we get to serve with compassion, hope, and great joy in what the Lord has provided for us, and for the community in Tecate.
How YOU can participate.
We would love to have you join us on our next trip happening October 10th-12th, 2025. We anticipate this trip will look the same as the ones described above. It will start early on October 10th and we will be home about mid day on the 12th. Come as a family, send a highschooler (with prior conversation with youth staff that are going), or come with your junior high student (we ask that junior high students are accompanied by an adult)!
There is a small cost but if finances are holding you back from attending the trip please reach out to cole@cclb.org and we will make sure you are able to go. These costs go towards meals, lodging, and the build projects that we participate in.
Also, if you don’t have a passport there is still time to get one before October!
Sign ups for the trip can be found here: https://www.cclb.org/missions/the-work/mexico
We hope to see you there! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions. We want to be a resource for you and your family as you prayerfully consider this opportunity.
Blessings,
Cole Baker