Celebrating 40 Years of Grace in Juárez, Mexico
An update from Carlos Contreras, Lead Pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Gracia Soberana, Juárez, and National Leader for SGC Mexico…
On September 19, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of our church. While our original group of young people began meeting in a local park nearly 50 years ago, it took another decade before we were officially established as a church. During those formative years, People of Destiny International (which became Sovereign Grace Churches) played a significant role in helping us understand what it meant to become a local church.
Our celebration was simple yet deeply meaningful. We gathered on Saturday for a special worship service centered on thanksgiving for the countless evidences of God's grace throughout the past four decades. A worship team and choir of thirty people led us in singing songs that have marked different seasons of our church's history. For those who have been part of the congregation since its early years, it was a moving and nostalgic experience; for many newer members, it was a wonderful glimpse into our heritage.
Several special guests joined us for the occasion, including some of our founding members. Also, we had the joy of having Mario and Margarita Jacobo, who traveled from Tijuana to celebrate with us. They were sent out in 1995 as one of our first church plants and they have served that church faithfully for over 30 years.
As part of the event, our production team prepared a commemorative video highlighting significant moments in our history. These included the founding of our Christian school 33 years ago, the construction of our church facilities 25 years ago, and the faithful perseverance of our congregation through the difficult years of violence and instability that affected our city from 2008 to 2012. We also reflected on God's remarkable work in the years that followed, including our national expansion, the launch of the Fieles Pastors Conference in 2014, and the eventual formation of Gracia Soberana México as an ecclesiastical family of churches.
Following the video, I shared a message on why we celebrate and, more importantly, whom we celebrate. The focus was not on our accomplishments, but on God's faithfulness, grace, and glory. I also had the opportunity to recall some treasured memories and recognize a number of leaders who have served faithfully over many years.
One particularly meaningful moment was something we had never done before: a memorial display honoring many of those who have gone home to be with the Lord. Through photographs and personal memories, we remembered saints whose lives and service have left a lasting impact on our church family.
The service concluded with a special arrangement of a song written by Lalo and Roxana Muñoz. We chose this song to honor their immense contribution both to our church and to Gracia Soberana. For more than twenty years they faithfully led worship, and they were among the first to work with Bob Kauflin in translating and recording Sovereign Grace Music in Spanish. Hearing this song again after forty years was a deeply emotional experience for many of us and especially for them.
After the service, everyone made their way through a large gallery of photographs, videos, and memorabilia that chronicled the story of God's faithfulness over the years. The exhibit led out to the patio, where tables, chairs, and games for the children had been arranged. Food trucks and local vendors served tacos, flautas, enchiladas, and tamales, allowing us to enjoy fellowship together as one large family.
It was a joyful day of remembering God's faithfulness, celebrating His grace, and giving Him all the glory for forty years of ministry. As we reflected on His goodness throughout the years, we were reminded that the Lord who has sustained us thus far will continue to guide, strengthen, and uphold us in the years ahead. Our prayer is for the next generation, that they would be firmly committed to remaining faithful in all that God calls them to do as He continues to build His church. We ended all reading this passage out loud:
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”.
Ephesians 3:20-21
