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Pastor Elias and Teresa Herrera have gone beyond the four walls and four children in their own home in order to obey God’s call and take hope to forgotten children in southeastern Mexico. Elias understands the street. At the age of 19, he was a drug addict and dealer, wise to the ways of the street. At a Christian conference, he heard the Word of God and accepted Christ. For two hours, he cried, as his heart was pierced for the first time by the claims of Christ.
Poza Rica, a city in the state of Vera Cruz, became a city of industry, due to the booming oil industry. Prostitution has become prominent. Men, who came to work in the industry, left their families behind. The prostitution left many unwanted children on the streets. They had to become survivors and sought shelter wherever they could find it. They live by begging and stealing. These abandoned children sleep where they can find a place to make a bed. Paint thinner and cheap drugs become their way of escape from the despair in which they find themselves.
Then God began to reveal His plan. As they prayed, God provided. First, He led them to land and property was purchased, with the assistance of many groups and organizations. Plans were completed and the first phase was begun. A building was built and dedicated in 1999, with a kitchen, dining hall, and 12 bedrooms, along with a separate bathhouse. In 2001, with the assistance of many individuals and groups, including the Church of God’s ministry, Children of the World, a new house for the director and his family, electricity, and a paved concrete road were completed. The ministry has been a mission of faith. The Herreras have walked by faith since the ministry began. During their first years of the ministry, they stretched their pastor’s salary to meet the basic needs of their own children, as well as the children they received. Often, they all shared beans or just the broth from the beans. But they have never complained and have continued to see God’s provision through His people. What’s the need? Expansion of the facilities. Additional paving of the road. Running water. A second story to the orphanage. A Christian school. Transportation for the children and workers. Special projects and needs. Maintenance, including assistance with utility bills. Monthly educational assistance for children required to pay tuition to attend school. Spanish teaching aids and curriculum. Computer equipment. Video cameras. VCR. Bedroom furniture. Ceiling fans. The list goes on and on! What’s New? Sister Teresa has now began reaching out to children and their families living in the trash dump of Poza Rica. She takes food, clothing, and demonstrates God’s love to them. Perhaps your children’s ministry, single adult group, youth group, missions group, or church will respond to God’s calling and say, “Here I am.” The needs are many, but God’s provision is greater! And, you can be His vessel to bless children, who have come from broken families to the Lord’s family. If God speaks to your heart and gives you a desire to be involved, complete the form and return it. God will bless you as you respond! ************************ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…James 1:27. This is the example of ministry Pastor Elias and Sister Teresa demonstrate each time we visit them at the orphanage. They give sacrificially of all that they have, sharing unconditional love, and providing a spiritual habitat for each child God entrusts to their care. Pamela Overbey ************************ As I consider the list of heroes, Elias and Teresa Herrera are at the top of the list. Their commitment to touching children motivates, inspires, and encourages me. Through great personal sacrifice and hard work, they have followed the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to minister to the orphans and the homeless. I have great confidence in this ministry and am thrilled God has given me the burden and charge to assist them in fulfilling the vision and enlarging the borders of ministry. Through this endeavor, I am more clearly understanding the call requires obedience to follow Him down any road, at any cost. All who respond and involved themselves in this ministry will be greatly blessed. Tony Lane ************************ In 1994 the Single Adults of the Church of God caught a vision to build an orphanage in Poza Rica, Mexico. Today, with the help of many people, the Alfa y Omega stands as a fulfillment of the mandate to minister to orphans. It is an exciting testimony of what can happen when a need is matched by commitment. Dr. John Kie Vining ************************** The Orphanage in Poza Rica, Mexico is “one of a kind.” The founders of this ministry have a great love for children who have been abused, neglected and forgotten. In all of my work, I have never seen greater commitment. The children are truly loved and cared for. Dr. John D. Nichols ************************** As we endeavor to reclaim the generation, the Department of Youth and Christian Education is actively showing care and concern for the children of the world. We love kids and enjoy ministering to them through our various range of youth and Christian education ministries. I applaud the children and children’s workers who have been involved in this ministry of showing compassion to the less fortunate, Through the STEP ministry, in joint effort with the National Children’s Leaders Association, the YCE Department has provided the vehicle for this ministry to occur. Thank you for caring. John Childers
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After
attending a Bible institute, he started a pioneer missionary work in
the state of Oasaca, Mexico, planting churches among the Chinanteco,
an unreached tribe. His life was threatened and one of his co-workers
was murdered. Due to poor living conditions among the tribe’s
people he was endeavoring to reach, his health suffered. He persevered.
God blessed and additional churches in unreached tribal areas were
started as the result of his obedience and sacrifice. For 20 years,
Elias and Teresa served the Lord on the mission field. In 1989, they
accepted a call to pastor the Iglesia de Dios in Poza Rica. There they
found a new mission. Alfa y Omega Ministries began. 
Many
of the children found the land beneath a bridge to be satisfactory
as a temporary home. It was there that God exposed Elias and Teresa
to the great need. They began to take clothing and food to them, some
as young as two years of age. One young girl, 12 years old, had given
birth to a baby and was raising the baby under the bridge. As they
developed relationships with the children, they began to hear the voice
of God, responding to the great need. This need, in fact, became the
call of God. They opened their home, the church parsonage, and gave
the children a place to live. There the children heard about Christ,
experienced godly love, and were nurtured. Though difficult to house
children in such small quarters, they persevered. The children were
housed for the first six years, from 1992 to 1998, in two Sunday school
classrooms.