January – March 2026

January – March 2026

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New Church Plant: Rosarito Real

(Written by: Staff)

We have started a number of churches in different communities throughout Tijuana, and each one presents its own unique challenges, obstacles, and unexpected blessings. When we started Calvary Chapel Santa Fe, we focused on children’s outreaches in the parks. That strategy had worked well in Xochimilco and Granjas as we planted church works in those areas but, despite our best efforts, in Santa Fe we could barely get 50 children to attend. Later, when we went to Del Prado with a large group, I tried to prepare the team for a similarly low turnout—but instead, hundreds of children showed up! We actually had to drive through the community and buy up every bit of candy we could find for the carnival. It was such a huge difference and such an unexpected blessing.

Presently, we are starting a new work in Rosarito Real. Following the model of our other plants, we hosted a couple of outreaches over the holidays and saw an incredible response. Many adults and children made the decision to follow Jesus. We also met several people who had attended church before moving to the community but had stopped because there wasn’t a local church available.

This has created a “good problem:” how do we disciple them all? To meet the need, we have been holding large discipleship classes on Sundays. While we aren’t ready to launch full church services yet, we are following the pattern of our previous plants by starting with a home fellowship. This is growing steadily, giving us the necessary time to disciple new believers and develop leaders before the formal church launch.

We are praying that God will continue to direct the way forward for this new plant in Rosarito Real, and we’re excited to see what the Lord will do next. <top>

Tables, Teeth, and Transformations

(Written by: Pastor Ron Brink)

For over 30 years, we’ve hosted groups from all over the U.S. here in Mexico, but in all those years we had never hosted a medical outreach. So, when Inga-Lill Guzik of Global Dental Relief offered to lead a mission here, we didn’t know what to expect and I was apprehensive. To be honest, after some nightmare dental experiences in Mexico, I had developed a firm conviction that dentists were an existential threat to my well-being.

The preparations to receive the team, including trying to line up some dental chairs, only added to my nerves. This was especially heightened when we asked for an equipment list and there wasn’t a single dental chair on it—just six or seven folding tables. I asked for clarification, and they confirmed: the work would be done on flat tables! No armrests to grip, no cushioning to soften the blow as you discovered muscles you never knew you had while tensing in fear.

When Friday arrived, the first day of ministry, the team set up at the Santa Fe building like a well-oiled machine. It was an impressive thing to watch. As they treated the boys from the local rehab center along with members of the surrounding community, the light of Jesus truly shone through them. Patients were told to raise a hand if they felt any pain; I didn’t see a single hand go up. One man even received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Imagine that: lose a tooth, gain eternal life. What a trade!

The team spent the following Monday through Wednesday at Calvary Chapel Xochimilco, ministering to a total of 145 people, plus 20 more at an orphanage on Saturday. This included a certain pastor (me) with severe dentophobia – an intense, irrational fear of dentists or dental procedures – who had a tooth extraction. My previous extractions had been grueling—one even took four hours. The team gently encouraged me onto the table, and I thought, “This dentist has no idea what he’s getting into.” Yet, this extraction was quick and painless.

By the end of the week, several people had come to faith, and everyone left encouraged. It was an incredible blessing. <top>

The Rising Shadow of Santa Muerte

(Written by: Staff)

Two recent situations at the Xochimilco church illustrate a growing problem in both Mexico and the U.S.: the rise of the cult of Santa Muerte (Holy Death) – a Grim Repear-like figure. Unlike the traditional “Grim Reaper,” who is generally viewed as a collector of souls or a guide to the afterlife, Santa Muerte is seen as the personification of death itself. As death’s incarnation, her worshippers believe she can help them avoid it. While the cult has existed for over a century, its numbers exploded in 2001 after a public shrine was built in Mexico City. Since then, it has grown to over 12 million followers, making it the fastest-growing religious movement in the world.

Not long ago, a man – let’s call him Juan – sat in my office, obviously shaken by an impending sense of doom. He had learned that someone was offering sacrifices to Santa Muerte specifically to have him killed. Like many involved in the drug cartels, Juan had been a follower of the cult. He can still be seen wearing a necklace with her image, which he claims is a gift worn for sentimental reasons. After some prayer and encouragement from myself and another pastor, he left, though he was still carrying a heavy load.

Another young man, who recently finished his program at our Vencedores drug rehab, returned home to a mother who worships Santa Muerte. We had several discussions on this topic as his release date drew near. Having become a follower of Jesus during rehab, he felt a great deal of anxiety about returning to a home where Santa Muerte is worshipped. Thankfully, he continues to attend church and remains strong in his determination to follow Christ.

For years, the Mexican army destroyed shrines to Santa Muerte due to the drug cartel’s devotion and deep ties to her; many consider her the “patron saint” of traffickers. The Catholic Church has also maintained a stance of absolute condemnation, viewing the cult as a “blasphemy” against God and a “degeneration of religion.”

The appeal of Santa Muerte is deceptively strong. She is presented as a “non-judgmental” deity, making her an inclusive figure for the drug cartel, criminals, or those who feel marginalized – whether they are undocumented, sex workers, transgender, homeless, or poor. She is called upon to fulfill any request, including the death of an enemy. However, many followers also view her as vengeful, fearing violent retribution should their devotion wane.

The fear of Santa Muerte prevents some from coming to Jesus, while others secretly continue their devotion even while attending church services. For this reason, deep discipleship is critical to exposing these strongholds and guiding people into the true freedom that only comes through Christ.

Please join us in praying that the Lord would empower us for effective ministry in the lives of those who find themselves in bondage to the cult, allowing them to experience the full freedom that only comes through Christ. <top>

Praises

The COVID shutdowns in Tijuana decimated the youth groups in many of the churches, and they continue to struggle with this age group. We have been working hard to reach out to these young people, recently hosting a special conference for Junior High youth for the churches we work with. It was a huge blessing with about 50 youth participating. It might not sound like very many but, considering the ongoing struggle to re-engage the youth, it’s encouraging progress.
We have been ministering in Mexico for 30 years and, in that time, we have ministered to many people. One of them is Samuel, now 42 years-old, who we first met as a child at an orphanage, Colina del Luz. Claiming that to be responsible for many of my grey hairs, for the next few months he is back from the U.S. helping with our construction – a huge blessing to us.
The goal of Touch Baja from the beginning was to plant and raise up churches that fulfilled the Great Commission. Every time we plant a new church, part of the leadership from the planting church moves over to help lead the new church. This means we must be continually discipling new leaders. The Lord has been faithful to raise up a number of new strong leaders within our churches, for which we can only give praise and thanks to Him.
Calvary Chapel St. Fe just completed another missions trip to Chiapas in Southern Mexico focusing on discipleship training in the churches. <top>

Prayer Requests

The church in Pueblos Magicos lost its pastor a year ago due to threats from the cartel. Over that year, leaders from Calvary Chapel St. Fe have worked hard within Pueblos Magicos in discipleship and leadership, and the church has grown both spiritually and in numbers. Please continue to pray for this church and the preparation of a new pastor.
The church in Del Prado has begun an afterschool tutoring class for elementary students. Twenty-five children, along with some of the parents, are participating – none of them were attending the church prior. Part of the afterschool time is spent in Bible study and several have become followers of Jesus. Please pray for more fruit that remains.
We have been making steady progress on the short-term group building, and in April we are hoping and planning for a huge leap forward. The last major project remains – dividers for both the showers and toilets. Please pray for someone to take on this project or for the finances to accomplish it.
Tomy has been a part of the Xochimilco church for many years. Her son, Salvador, was involved in a car accident and requires almost constant care. The last few weeks have been especially difficult. Please pray for Salvador and Tomy. <top>