Thiago was the respected cantor of his Mixtec community in Mexico, appointed to lead worship ceremonies for a local idol. Everything changed when he heard the gospel and committed his life to Christ. Convicted that he could no longer lead his people in false worship, Thiago stepped down, telling his community he had decided to follow Jesus. The decision cost him. The village had funded his training and demanded he continue; when he refused, they jailed him for five days. He remained firm, and when he was released without penalty, it marked a turning point. International Mission Board missionaries Chris and Sara Armstrong had been discipling believers among the Mixtec and encouraged Thiago in his stand. Today he is training for church leadership, preaching, leading the Lord’s Supper and baptizing new believers in a congregation that has grown to about 50 members worshiping in their heart language.
Pray for Thiago and the growing Mixtec church as they raise up leaders and plant new congregations, and for the Armstrongs as they reach more Mixtec communities with the gospel.
Southern Baptists’ generous giving through the Cooperative Program sends and sustains missionaries like Chris and Sara Armstrong to live among the Mixtec people and disciple new believers like Thiago.