This far-reaching crusade for the Mexican Union territory was centered in Mexico City from October 17, 1964, to June 12, 1965. God in His infinite mercy poured out great blessings and bestowed significant victories on His cause.
Development of the Campaign
The development of the campaign can be divided into two parts:
- The first series of meetings, ending the latter part of January, 1965. The outstanding characteristic was the overflow attendance at all meetings. A remarkable work was done by the Montemorelos College ministerial students, as well as by workers of other fields, who were associated with the campaign. At the end of this phase two hundred souls had been baptized.
- The second series of meetings was held from March to June 12, 1965. This second phase of the campaign was held concurrently in seven different places, following the modern concept of total evangelism. Carlos E. Aeschlimann spoke in Portales, Tacubaya, Anahuac, and Narvarte; Xavier Soto Valle was speaker in Mixcoac; Samuel Guizar in Moctezuma; and Efrain Piedra in Ramos Milian. During this second phase the evangelistic team was gradually reduced from thirty-three to twelve.
A New Church Is Born
On Sabbath, May 7, a church of 172 charter members was organized in the beautiful new Portales church building—this being direct fruitage of the effort and occurring six months after the first public meeting was held. Enrique Salvador pastors this church of enthusiastic members.
The Anahuac church is full to capacity during the Sabbath morning services, and the large Tacubaya church is unable to accommodate its Sabbath-day worshipers. All of our churches in the capital city have added new members as a result of the crusade.
Finances
Thanks to the efficient way that Efrain Rivera, Sergio Moctezuma, and Velino Salazar handled the financial aspect of the campaign, the first series of meetings ended with only a small deficit. In the second series we worked within the budget. This is unusual in a major evangelistic campaign. Generally there are heavy expenses outside the budget, but this was truly one of the most inexpensive large efforts ever conducted. Although the expenses may have seemed large they were really an investment, for the tithes in the mission have increased gradually and remarkably during recent months.
Quantity of Present Work
In spite of the decrease in the evangelistic team to almost one third of its original number, the work has not decreased accordingly. This indicates the growing efficiency attained by the workers. The work presently carried on is as follows:
Homes in which the Bible is being studied __ |
345 |
Number of persons studying |
732 |
Possible additional candidates by June 30 ________ |
136 |
The workers are laboring resolutely with greater efficiency and God is richly blessing them.
Baptisms
To date (May 15) 16 baptismal ceremonies have been conducted. The newly baptized members have joined the following churches: Tacubaya, 144; Portales, 126; Anahuac, 110; Narvarte; 5; others, 6. This makes a total of 391 persons baptized. The prospects are excellent for exceeding 400 baptized souls by June 30 and 500 by the end of the current year. [NOTE: A June baptism has brought the total to 435.] Well-to-do families have joined the church and are supporting the work with their enthusiasm, education, and means.
This series of meetings stirred the laity. A tremendous work was done by the laymen. They influenced for baptism more than 60 per cent of the number reported. We know that the ministry and the laity working together make a good team.