Traumatic experiences are part of the context for many missionaries, pastors and leaders who currently work with people who have been affected by some type of tragedy. Rick and Kelly Martínez, International Mission Board missionaries who lead the Gateway team in Mexico City, are witnesses to this reality.
They prayed fervently asking God for an effective way to minister to the churches and families in their convention who were experiencing suffering and trauma due to the loss of relatives or close associates during the pandemic.
It was at this time that the idea of implementing New Hope arose. New Hope, translated into Spanish as “Nueva Esperanza,” is an initiative created by a group of church planters, counselors and oral communicators with the goal of bringing healing to those who have gone through some type of traumatic experience.
New Hope’s ministry aims to address this trauma by studying God’s Word in groups of four to six who meet weekly for a total of seven sessions.
The Martinezes connected with Robin and Charlie Janney, missionaries in El Bajío region of México, who shared with them testimony after testimony of how God has used New Hope to bring healing and salvation to many, as well as to start new churches and deepen discipleship.
The Martinezes were trained by the Janneys every Tuesday, and the following Monday they shared the material learned with one of the groups from their newly planted churches.
Let’s pray for the Martinezes and that God would continue to use the Cooperative Program to reach the lost. For more information about New Hope ministry, visit www.multiplyinghope.org.