We could spend months discussing possible mission points in New Mexico. There are few churches in The Land of Enchantment which associate with the American Baptist Association, most of those being missions that operate on or adjacent to the Navajo Reservation. These are great works, and the other ABA churches in New Mexico are also doing a great work. I do not intend to discount anyone, but I would like to highlight missions opportunities within the state, and the American Southwest as well.
Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico, boasting a population of approximately 72,000, with the nearest ABA churches being in either Albuquerque, or Pueblo, Colo.
Santa Fe's history dates back to Spanish colonialization. Once it was acquired by the United States as part of the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, Santa Fe became in important stage coach/railroad stop.
Its history is well preserved, with city ordinances requiring that all downtown buildings be patterned after adobe, spanish or southwestern architecture. Santa Fe is also a hub for Arts and Culture, as well as entertainment.
Santa Fe is nearly 45 percent Hispanic, so this is another great field for the bilingual missionary. Santa Fe would also be a great gateway for opening up mission points in northern New Mexico, like Raton, Las Vegas (NM, not Nev.) and mission points along the old Route 66 (like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa and so on.)
As is the case with all New Mexico mission works, funding is available through the ABA Interstate Mission Fund, or by designated offerings.
Just a side note, I heard at the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally this past weekend that a Texas church is indeed sending a Spanish-speaking missionary to Las Cruces, NM, and the building has already been acquired. Praise God! While I know this is not the result of last week's Mission Field Monday feature, it is great to see churches taking on mission works in the great American Southwest.
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