Mosaic Mennonites

Missional - Intercultural - Formational

RIMI

In An Upper Room in Mexico City

by

by Noel Santiago

Leaders from Mosaic Partner in Ministry RIMI met in Mexico City from September 19-21, 2024. Coming from Mexico, the USA, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia, they gathered for their annual meeting. RIMI is the Red de Iglesias Misioneras Internacionales (International Network of Missionary Churches). The meeting took place in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities. 

The La Paz congregation was started by Franconia missionaries Kirk and Marilyn Hanger, along with Mennonite Brethren missionaries Jonathan and Juanis Pritchard from Kansas and Mexico. Leticia Cortes, who had worked with the Hangers at Palabra de Gozo church in Mexico City, helped start Iglesia Cristiana La Paz. Later, Leticia married Fernando, moved to the US, and together they now pastor Centro De Alabanza, a Mosaic member congregation in South Philadelphia. 

Amid Mexico City’s noise—barking dogs, street vendors shouting, a constantly-ringing mini church bell used as a doorbell, and the sounds of cars, buses, motorcycles, and people— we had to focus hard on listening to make sure we heard each other clearly over the noise. 

The purpose of this annual gathering was to worship, pray, and connect. Leaders shared ministry updates from each country, supported and prayed for one another, and planned how to best organize a growing and multiplying movement of churches, leaders, and groups. 

The work involved reviewing RIMI’s mission and priorities to keep ministry aligned with its vision. The main challenge was creating a structure that stays organized and flexible without becoming rigid. Like Mosaic, they used pillar statements as part of their guiding principles and have focused them on missional discipleship; building lasting relationships; developing self-sustaining churches; sending called individuals to other cultures; starting and multiplying churches; and organizing in organic, life-giving ways. 

The highlight of the meeting was hearing stories of God’s work in different countries, with people coming to faith in Jesus. One story involved a RIMI leader who was invited to speak at a community funeral. The family appreciated his message so much that they asked him to return a month later to share more from the Bible. Three months later, a Bible study group formed. Similar stories were shared from all the countries. 

Current numbers churches connected with RIMI. Image provided by Noel Santiago. 

RIMI focuses on finding and empowering leaders with a vision for starting new churches or groups. When they identify such people, they come alongside them, and if agreeable to all involved, they start working together. 

They accompany and equip pastors of established congregations and sponsor Generación Sana, an annual international youth gathering focused on raising up and empowering young people for ministry. 

Many in these countries face challenges for ministry, including concerns about personal safety due to violence, travel uncertainties, and limited resources. Despite these obstacles, people shared stories of God’s faithfulness and how God supported them in their work. 

A crucial part of RIMI’s leadership meetings is the intercessory team. In addition to being active members, they listen for how God is speaking and moving among them. Their insights are regularly sought during decision-making. 

RIMI’s vision is to see people transformed by Christ to impact all nations. Their mission is to connect and multiply churches and ministries to fulfill God’s purpose. They value leaders who serve in underserved areas and who demonstrate healthy relationship skills, discipleship and empowerment, teamwork, and holistic ministry engagement. 

Pastor Kirk Hanger sums up a central piece of RIMI’s as follows: “We provide mentoring, coaching, encouragement, training, and spiritual support to leaders as well as a network of people who share a common vision and commitment to Christ”.  

In Mexico I was struck by the deep gratitude those present expressed for the opportunity to serve. Whether it was through preparing meals, ministering to one another, hosting guests, or running errands, their joy was truly evident. I pray I can capture a bit of this joy in my own heart as I seek to serve others. 

God keeps inviting and expanding Mosaic’s reach across the world. May God continue using this church-planting network to share the good news of Jesus in our broken and beautiful world. 

RIMI leaders meeting in an upper room at Iglesia Cristiana La Paz, México. Photo provided by Noel Santiago.  

Noel Santiago

Noel Santiago is the Leadership Minister for Missional Transformation for Mosaic Conference.

A Life Well Lived: Remembering Ruben Mercado

by

Ruben Mercado, a pastor and missionary with close ties to Mosaic Conference, died on June 9, 2021 from COVID-19. He was 50 years old. Photo provided by Kirk Hanger.

Ruben Mercado grew up on the streets of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a drug addict who stole and ran with gangs to survive. At the age of 19, he had a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ that transformed his life. He became a pastor and leader in the Evangelical Anabaptist Church of Bolivia (LIEAB).

In 1997, the Mercado family was sent to Mexico City as missionaries to work with the United Committee for Anabaptist Mission (CUMA), an inter-Mennonite effort to plant churches in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. After 12 years of ministry in Mexico, the Mercados returned to Bolivia where Ruben was the pastor of the Light and Truth Church in Santa Cruz and a mentor to pastors and leaders.

Sadly, Ruben Mercado passed away on June 9, 2021 from COVID-19. He was 50 years old. He is survived by his wife, Guadalupe, daughters Heidy and Abigail (married to Franz), and a granddaughter, Hannah.

I met Ruben and his family the day they arrived in Mexico City where we had been sent by Franconia Mennonite Conference to serve as church planting missionaries. We became close friends and worked together for 24 years. Out of our shared vision for church planting, leadership development, and sending Latinos to areas with little or no Christian witness, we formed the International Network of Missionary Churches / Red de Iglesias Misionaras Internacional (RIMI), a partner in ministry with Mosaic Mennonite Conference. Today RIMI is made up of over 100 churches and church plants in 13 countries.

In 2012, while visiting Ecuador, Ruben noticed the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations. The modern building was surrounded by the colorful flags of its member nations. Ruben thought, how much more should Christian youth of Latin America come together to be encouraged and equipped to participate in God’s mission in the world? Out of that experience, the vision for Generacion Sana / Wholesome Generation was born.

Generacion Sana holds an annual conference that brings youth together from different countries for training and building relationships. Since 2014, Generacion Sana conferences have been held in Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Bolivia and most recently in Venezuela where over 1000 youth participated. Due to the pandemic, Generacion Sana conferences were suspended in 2020 and 2021, but plans to resume in 2022, possibly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As a gifted evangelist, Ruben preached in churches, stadiums, streets and fields. He effectively used radio, television, and the internet to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ. Several years ago, Franconia Conference provided funds to produce a video of Ruben’s testimony which has been used as an evangelistic tool in many countries. Through Ruben’s encouragement, new radio stations were started in Mexico. He was also the co-host of the weekly program, Consejo Oportuno / An Opportune Word.

Ruben never ceased to be amazed by the grace and power of God who took a young drug addict off the streets of Santa Cruz and gave him the opportunity to preach to the nations. He rejoiced to see other lives transformed by the same Lord who changed his. Ruben now joins that great cloud of witnesses. The memory of his life well lived for Christ encourages and challenges us to live our lives fully for Christ and God’s mission in the world.

Ruben Mercado (right) with his wife, Guadalupe. Photo provided by Kirk Hanger.