History

 Restoring Hope for Abandoned and Forgotten Children

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.

After attending a Bible institute, he started a pioneer missionary work in the state of Oaxaca, 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 tribes 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.

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.

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.

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 the 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.

Through the gifts of Church of God World Missions, the Church of God single adults through the department of youth and Christian education, under the leadership of Dr. John Vining, Pastor Emory Thompson in Houston, Texas, Children of the World under the direction of Dr. John Nichols and Dr. Gene D. Rice, the ministry has been blessed. Now, the Church of God National Children’s Leaders Association, under the International Department of Youth and Christian Education, has accepted the call to assist. Annual STEP trips for children and children’s ministry leaders expose them to the great need. Sponsors are needed for children, as well as the orphanage workers. Churches, children’s leaders and children’s pastors, have stepped up and are making themselves available. Other individuals and churches are being used by God to bless this children’s ministry to the abandoned and forgotten.

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. Additional monthly sponsors 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 camera. 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 adults group, youth group, missions group, or church will respond to God’s calling and say, ‘Here am I.’ 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!

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