THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIANIncluding:

flDeiican 38tble Scmtnari? IWcws

Vol. Vil, No. 2 Nogales, Sonoro, Mexico Spring, 1955

MISSION PLANS MOVE TO INTERIOR SOONBOWLIN APPLIES FORMEXICAN PASSPORT

A few days before Easter,1955, Missionary Gerald D.Bowlin, made application toMexico City for permission toimmigrate to Mexico. As he metall requirements set by theMexican government for application for immigrant visas, officials and Mends alike feel itwicl only he a matter of time(usually several months) beforeBrother Bowlin becomes thefirst Christian missionary toenter Mexico on a permanentresident visa.

It is now planned that mission headquarters shall hemoved to Hermosillo, capitalcity of the state of Sonora, 175miles south of the Mexico-USAborder city of Nogales, wherethe mission is presently located. From the beginning bothmissionaries and trustees havebeen in agreement that the workcould be carried on much moreeffectively if the mission werelocated in the interior, near thecenter of present activitiaa,rather than on the border, andtoward this end much time hasbeen spent in prayer and investigation by the Mission Director, Gerald D. Bowlin. However, as most of our regularreaders are aware there is noprovision in the Mexican im-migragion law for ''mission"aries of religion" as sucn, anothe only passport available todate has been a temporary, sixmonth's tourist permit. Throughthe help of friends an immigrantcategory in the Mexican immigration law, under which it wasfelt Bro. Bowlin could qualify,SPRING SEMESTER

ENDS APRIL 29

The %ring Semester endedApril 29 at Mexican Bible Sem-ary.

Classes were held on Mondays as well as Tuesday thruFriday this semester in orderto close early and have timefor church building construction during the month of May.In June, July and August theyoung men will be preaching

(Pl«a«« Turn to Page 3)

MORE PRISONERS AREBAPTIZED AT SONORA

Two more prisoners werebaptized at the Sonora StatePrison in Hermosillo, making atotal of six baptized this year.Several others immersed by denominational missionaries fellowship with us. Bro. Angel-Palomares, student minister,has asked that we appeal forseveral sacks of cement (costahout 81.25 each) to bring thewall of the trough used as abaptistry up two more feet tofacilitate later baptisms. Theprisoners will do the work.

The Mission recently offered book bound Bibles (81.25each) to all prisoners who leamthe Second Chapter of the Bookof Acts by Pentecost Sunday,May 29.

THE WATKINSONS AREON THEIR WAY!

At the time this copy of the"Christian" goes to press, theWatkinsons are on their wayhome from a recent tour of the

(Continued on Page 3, Col. 3)

0 N A ^

'S'/aln

RESTORATION PLEA TOSONORA MTNS. BELIEVERSNEAR CHIHAUAHUA BDR.By Director Gerald D. Bowlin

As reported in the Mid-Winter, 1955 issue, a small groupof believers in the mountainsof Sonora requested a conference on the Restoration Movement. On Feb. 5, 1955, theAssistant Director of the Mission, Alex Julian, an evangelist, and I left Hermosillo forthe village of Arivechi whereBro. Miguel Harov, the man whohad contacted us, lives. Thehigh-wheeled mission buggy(1952 Plymouth Suburban withwpecial 18-inch wheels anddrag plate under the pan) madethe trip fine. We only drug bottom three times going on 185miles over the worst roads Ihave ever seen. Took us just12 hours to make the trip and 1—as driver—worked all 12 ofthem! Bro. Harov and his wife(now dead) were convertedmany years ago by independent evangelists: both Mexican

(Continued on Page 3, Col. 3)

i.v Ji. •

Page 2

*k

S»vV. • i •'

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION

Pictured above is the adobe,or mud brick building now underconstruction in Nogales, Mexico. Note baptistry at left. Abrick layer was, of necessity,hired but Seminary teachersand students are supplying asmuch of the unskilled labor astheir other activities will allow. Tho the membership iscomposed mainly of women andchildren, church members havecontributed as generously aspossible to the building fund.One of the women washesclothes for a living, earning,if she is fortunate, ten pesosper day, or the equivalent of80 cents in American money.Another is a cook in a Doctor'shome and she earns 250 pesosa month, or roughly 20 American dollars.

Your missionaries appeal toyou in behalf of this new groupof Christians for the necessarySlOO to put a roof on thisbuilding; $50 to buy doors andwindows, and S25 to purchasematerials to pour a concretefloor.

HEY, DON'T FORGET ME!lam the GENERAL FUND of

the Mission. Without me therecould be no Mission, thereforeno special funds such as 'Bibles* or 'Church Construction*.Help these if you like, butPLEASE DON'T FORGET ME!

The Western MexicoChristian

Published by The Western MexicoThrislian Mission (A Part Of TheArizona Corporation. Mexican BibleSeminaryl. Apartado Posta' No.ISO. \oEJles, Sonora. Mexico, an

independent, direct-supiwrt mission. whose purpose is to preachthe Gospel and establish churchesafter the New Testament Pattern

aloHK' the West Coast of Mexico.espe<'ially by means of native

i Christian workers, t-aincd underj competent Christian teachers.

GKRALD D. BOWLIN, Editor

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1955

OUR MISSION DIRECTOR ATWORK

(As a rule not very much issaid in this publication aboutour Mission Founder and Director concerning his own dutiesand activities. Perhaps to somethese activities are not tooclear, therefore we feel thatthe many friends of the Missionwill find this article of greatinterest. J.W.)

Every organization must havea head, a guiding hand, if it isto operate with any efficiencyat all. This is scriptural andpracticed in every organizedbody. Christ is the head ofthe church. The minister is theleader of the individual congregation which is controlledby the elders who also have acnairrnan. Every business liasits president or boss. Eventhe larnily has its head. Evenso, a mission must have a director or leador. Bro. GeraldBowlin is that innn.

Brotiier Bowlin began theMission in 1950 and has been inactive charge since that time.The Mission was begun and con

tinues until now with the intent 'To preach the Gospel andestablish churches after theNew Testament Pattern — bymeans of native Christianwork-ers, trained under competentChristian teachers.'

This means not only trainingThis means not only trainingstudents in Mexican Bible Seminary as ministers and Chris-tain teachers, but also tiietraining of those who have already graduated from anotherBible College in the more practical aspects of guiding thework on the field. In an articleentitled "Prof. Julian NamedVice-president,"Mexican BibleSeminary News, April, 1953,Bro. Bowlin wrote these words:"We have long advocated thepropiety, yes the wisdom oftraining Mexican Christians,then gradually integrating theminto the mis sion work so thatsomeday tiiey will be able tomanage the work of evangelism in their own country."

( The following is a quote froma letter to one of the liowlin'sliving-link cliurclies):

"I wonder if yon haven't letirn-ed a few skills in your lifetimethat you in turn passed along toothers? Thai is. explained anddemonstrated how sometliingsliould be done, tiien tiatl him tryit. only to find he didn't do it 'your

way' . . . you watched him do it,not .quite right, wanted to do it fwhim, but .knew lie couldn't justleani from your instructions, norcould you do it for him, but lie iiadto learn, by liis own experience.That's the way I feel at times,for all tiie skills I have acjuiredin everyday life, as cliihl, student,fanner, factor)' worker, in tlie seminary. as a minister, an«! in almost 10 years on tiie Mexicanmission field as teacher andmissionary, I am now passingalong to my Mexican fellowworkers so that the Church ofChrist in Western Mexico willsomeday operate its own e-vangelistic program and evensend missionaries to otherLatin American countries."

Brother Bowlin worked withall those who are now teachersat Mexican Bible Seminarywiiile teaching at Colegio Bibli-co, in Eagle Pass, Texas.Asst. Director Julian graduated from that school in 1950and has labored with BrotherBowlin since that time. Believing that a native shouldhave a voice in the administration, he has worked with andhelped Brother Julian that hemight efficiently handle hispresent job, that of director ofthe Bible seminary itself. Thechurches and students areproud to have one of their ownin cliarge and his help as anative born has been invaluableto the Mission. However, Bro.Oowlin must still stand by tohelp him with his many tasksof planning, discipline, andtraining.

We tell you these things a-bout the Mission, its work andpolicy so that you will understand the type of Christianmission we operate; also thatit is continually expanding. Inthe beginning there was onlythe seminary and Brotiier Bowlin did all the directing of activities, taught classes, didthe bookkeeping, put out thepublicity and just about everything e^e there was to do.

Gradually we exparuied-^two.self-trained native evan^listswere brought to Brother Jlow-lin and he tauglit them aboutllie Ciiurch Revealed in tlie NewTestament; one young mangraduated after four years oftraining; Seminary studentswere preaching. Result: churches (people, not buildings) began to spring up and theseneeded advice and counsel onhow to proceed .Scripturally.

Spring, 1955

(Remember, this was a newfield —there were no 'old'churches to serve as a pattern.)More and more time was spentin this phase of the work. Also, it was necessary for Brother Bowlin to increase the publicity in order that the fundsmight someway keep pace withthe expansion on the field.

In short, one cannot say thatthe Directors work is 'suchand such*, for he does some ofeverything. He teaches—nol theseminary students but theteaches and other missionworkers; He preacAes—throughout all the mission field; tiecounsels; He does office work;He does publicity work—editthe "Christian", materials forpublication in our nationalpapers, visit nearby churches;He does benevolent work—YieXpswith the distribution of usedclothing and foods and medicine, takes charge of specialfunds for benevolent purposes;Does translation—several Spanish text books, tracts, etc.;He does maintenance work; Hemanages a business: generaloversight of the receipt anddisbursement of all missionfunds, purchase of equipmentand supplies, business and public relations with various government agencies—both American and Mexican; He doesprtnttng—duplication of studentmanuals, class schedules,tracts, sermon outlines, etc.;He prays and plans-prays formore workers and tries to planhow we can reach all the places who ask us to send workers

with the Gospel when ourworkers are already overburdened.

(The following is a quotefrom Brother Bowlin):

"The future of this work islimited only by our financesfor the Mexican people haveundergone an educational revolution in the past few yearsand many desire to at leasthear the Gospel. I believe withall my heart that if we'Ameri-cans just prepare sufficientnative workers and help themget started that they will setthe West Coast of Mexico onfire for Jesus Christ in ourgeneration."

Can you help us get the jobdone?

(ContiniMd Pr»m Peg* 1) — •and the young ladies will holdDaily Vacation Bible School.Six regular and two specialstudents are in attendance.

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Page 3

Bro. VfatkiiiMon settingcopy for the bulletin.DO YOU LIKE PRINTING

USED IN THIS ISSUE?

Does that title sound familiar?

In the Mid-winter issue weran an article with this heading introducing the need for aMultigraph printing press. Thatissue was printed on the Model 1250 by Henry Moore whoworks for the Multigraph Co.in Sao Francisco, to give youa sample of the type of workthe press will do.

I have talked with a numberof churches and individualswho use this type of machine.They are in unanimous and enthusiastic agreement that theobtaining of such a press formission printing would be avery wise investment.

The first reaction of some ofthe people we have met whowere not familiar with themachine was that that was anawful lot of money. In onesense it is a lot of money, butlet us figure this out financially. A rebuilt model of thismachine would cost us about411400.00. At the price weused to pay for the bulletin(and that was the smaller size—about 5x7 inches) this machine would pay for itself in a-boutfour years. The life of thepress is just about indefinateas long as it is cared for. Doesthat not seem like a good investment? And we have notconsidered the great amount oftracts, study materials, textbooks, etc., that are so greatly needed and could be printed in the native language forlittle more than the cost of thepaper.

1havetakencare of the printing of several issues of theing. or severat issues oi ine"Cnristian" and have becomefamiliar with how it is done.I am a photographer and havehad this type of experience in

the Armed Services. I am confident that I could handle theoperation of this equipment.

We had little response tothis announcement in the Midwinter issue. What do youthink about this printing press?Let us hear from you so wcmay know how you feel. Writeto me, Jerry Watkinson, in careof the Mission.

(Piaos* Turn to Poga 6)(Continuad from Poga 1, Col. 2)

Northwest. They have a fewspeaking dates on the wayhome expecting to arrive theresometime in the latter half ofJune. As soon as the necessarypreparations can be made therethey will be on their way to thefield where they are so verymuch needed.

A sincere thanks is extended to all those who have beenso faithful ill supporting themin the past few months. Because of your support, theWatkinsons have been able toraise nearly all of their livinglink support in a very shorttime. Now that they are readyfor service, they will be depending on you faithful supporters more than ever.

Some extra expense will beincurred in moving to Mexicofor hauling furnishings, etc. Ifyou have intended making apledge or offering towards theWatkinson's support, now wouldbe a very beneficial time tosend it.

The new forwarding addressof the Watkinsons is: Care ofthe Mission, Apardo postal No.150, Nogales. Sonora, Mexico.

(Continued from Page 1, Col. 1)

was discovered and thus application was made to Mexico City,

Brother Bowlin has appliedfor the "pilot" passport; afterhis application is approved,others will perhaps be able toqualify also. However, it isplanned that as soon as hispassport is issued the missionstaff will also move to Herm-osillo, the other Americanstraveling on tourist permits,which have been thus employed for a number of years byother missionaries to Mexico.It is felt that Bro. Bowlin, as apermanent resident of Mexico,will be able to protect his fellow missionaries from the har-rassment of unsympathetic officials which has been so detrimental to the work of othermissionaries to Mexico in thepast. "Brethren, pray for us."

Page 4 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1955

(Continued from Page 1)and American missionariesworked in the area and he andhis wife helped them. They hadgoing congregations in all thelittle villages roundabout,, thensome of the workers left and apentecostal group moved in andtook over the churches, and 1mean literally. They set uptheir bishop in the largest townand pastors in the more promising villages. Most of thememoers fell in line but a fewdidn't and even those who arein the churches aren't veiy happy with the pentecostal doctrines and the despotical bishop. Bro. Harov meets with asmall group in Sehuadehuactlii(try your tongue on that! VSeh-wah-deh-wah-chee") across theriver and a little north of Ari-vechi. He informed us that wecould hold services in one ofthe homes as he did, but thatmany of the members of thepentecostal church would liketo hear the sermons on Christian Unity and the Church Revealed in the Scriptures, butwould not come to a homethrough fear of the minister.This minister had even gone sofar as to strike one of the members in the mouth with a pieceof stovewood when the member disagreed with him!

Bro. Harov went to the minister and told him of our proposed conferences. Just whatelse transpired I do not know,but we were invited to hold ourconference in the pentecostalchureh building. Personally 1would much have preferred thecalm atmosphere of a friendlyhome, but we were there as hisguests and I thought I couldtake pentecostalism for fournights. Frankly, I didn't knowwhat 1 was getting into! Theminister conducted the services and we just did thepreaching. What "shout andholler, holy roller" meetingsthey were too! I don't believethere is anything more primitive in the heart of the junglethan we saw in the mountainsof Sonora. When I watchedpentecostalism in the raw 1sooQ. saw why it has been compared to voodooism as bothwork on the emotions and I believe are of the Devil. Thereare to my knowledge only twosources of spiritual power,God and the Devil, and I couldnot see how these things wereof God for certainly they werenot d.ijic "decently iind in ord

er" (I Cor. 14:40). Also, Godwarns us in II Cor. 11:13, 14y15—"For "such are false aposj-les, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into theapostles of Christ, and no marvel; for Satan himself is Irans-formed into an angel of iiph;.Therefore it i.s no gToa.' '."hii!;:-if his ministers also be tcer.formed as ininistc s oirighteousnes.s; whose rr. s <1!be according to their v.otks.

Each night during the prayerservices the con^egatioh, andespecially the minister, wouldwork themselves up omotioii-ally to a fever pitcli, then theminister would begin a line ?'igibberish: "Cree, crcc, ( .cree, cr'.e. r.rcc: ciof- '•! icienci;;.' !'<• ai-'ay-. rniiedwitii ii' i I (rvcieiu.eI, ml.'-r-pretame Senor. (interpret it forme LonI)." 1lie last night ofour meeting he did the samething with *Cree, cree, cree"and "cien-, cien-, ciencia,"then he started yelling at thetop of his lungs, "Ciencia,ciencia; ciencia oculta; ciencia antigua! (Science, science;the occult science; the ancientscience!)" I about fell off mychair, thinking to myself, "theOld Devil finally betrayed himself, for there is certainly nothing Christian about the Ancient,the Occult Sciences, fur eventhose who practice Black Magic always attribute their powers to the Devil." Little wonder that the natives were a-fraid of this "minister." As Isaid previously, just like thedark jungles.

In spite of all this disorderand long hours of "testimonies," we were able to preachChristian Unity £md the Churchfor four nights. All of our messages were well received. Thesmall group which Bro. Harovcares for were thrilled almostbeyond words to know therewere others who wished onlyto follow God's Word. Severalmembers of the pentecostalchurch, whom we did not know,came to Bro. Alex Julian andtold him how much they enjoyed the sermons and thatthey would like to leave pentecostalism as "they put suchheavy burdens on the membersthat they just couldn't bearthem."

Brother Harov is a very sensitive man, and after years ofbeing alone and without outside fellowship with "brethreuof like precious faith," ourvisit was just too much for

him—he cried several times,especially when he remarked

especially when he remarkedabout the poor food (which wasreally excellent) and facilities he had to offer us (he i.s a.shoemaker l?) trade). Also hecrie(3 bitterly after we went to))ay our respects to the bishopof the penir rr sial churches inthat area. 1lie bishoj) rvas in)lcouileousi tic was v.-ry angrywith Bio. I'larov and the localand the Ioch! pentecostal pastor as he said no such meetingsliouid have been held withoutHIS EXPRESS PERMISSION!1 fell sorry fo,-" Bro. Harov andtold him so as wo were return-

'o:.', to his i.':'.;. B.c .said heJ idji I mind about himself—hewas u.sed to such abuse; whathe hated was for us to hear anyone who claimc-l to be a Christian talk that way about ourEreaching 'services. Then he

egan to sob so hard we hadto stop the car and pray withhim before he could .controlhimself! It had been a longtime since I had seen a grownman cry. I wondered how manyAmerican Ciiristians have criedover the lost souls that needChrist or because the churchhas been defamed?

This group has asked for aminister. All here in WesternMexico are busy. Perhapssomeday—. In the meantimewe hope to hold a Daily Vacation Bible School there thissummer and keep in contactwith Bro. Harov. He and thegroup there request your prayers.

DVBS TEACHERS ARENEEDING HELP

Eight Daily Vacation BibleSchools are planned for Sonora this summer. SeminaryProfessor Elva Garcia and agirl student will make up oneteam and two more advancedstudents will compose the other team so that schools can beheld simultaneously in twoplaces.

Miss Garcia receives a salary from the Mission, but wemust give the girls about $5per week allowance for foodand travel. Each school alsorequires the expenditure of S5to 810 depending on its size,for pupils' work books, supplies, such as crayolas, scissors, Kool aid, ice, and sugar.

Registration for the first twoschools wid be held June 19.

Spring, 1955

WATKINSONS PLAN TO

BE ON FIELD IN JULY,

THE LORD WILLING

(There follows o letter sent toNogales by flrotber Jerry Wotkln-son for publication In this issue.):

"Greetings, brethren in thename of Ctirist Jesus, ourLord.

We write to say many thanksto all the wonderful churcheswe have visited on our travelsin the Northwest. We have en

joyed a fine fellowship withyou our Christian brethren andare indeed tliankful to you foryour help that we may soon beable to go to the mission field.Our pledges are still comingin. Living-link support for oneof the children plus severalsmall pledges have come insince the last bulletin waspublished. Now only about 850per month is needed for us tobe able to come to the field.Our plans now are to completeour sneaking dates which wealready have booked tiiruughMay and by that time we arepraying that the Lord will haveprovided the means that we maygo to Mexico to work wilii theBowlins in this field where theGospel of Christ is so badlyneeded.

"We are also thankful tothose many cliurches in the a-reas wiiere we have spokenwho have seen the need forfood and clothing for theseneedy neighbors and have donetheir part by collecting andsending used clothing, shoes,and foodstuffs. .Several tonshave been shipped since weleft home in November, 1954.A little over a ton was sent

at one time by a San Jose,California "congregation. Thesetilings are indeed a blessingto those in need and also provide a contact to preach thethe Gospel to many who couldnot otherwise be reached.

"Again we say thanks toall those who have had a partin this mission work, eiliierfinancially, with foo<i and clothing, or by prayer. May the Lordtruly bless and keepyou in Illsservice."

Yours in Christ,THC WATklN.SON.S

Address for Letters Only:The Western Mexico ChristianApdo. Postal 150Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

(Postage to Mexico is the'same a.sin U.S A.—3c Regular; 6c Air Mailt

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Page 5

Home where Kancniiu Cuurcn

Now MeetsDirector Bowlin and Mother

Brick Building Under Construction By Hanchito Church

JULIAN AIDS HERMOSILLO

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION

Assistant Director of theMission, Alex Julian, is atpresent engaged in directingthe construction of the Nogales church building (see thepicture on another page). Assoon as this building is com-pleteil he plans completion ofthe Hanchito church buildingin llermosillo. Its brick con-slruction is ijuite in contrastto the home, average for theneighborhood (see pictures)where services are being heldai present. Construction isprogressing slowly.

With an average wage of 12.to 18 pesos per day ($1.00 to"S1.50 American money), largefamilies, and high food prices,it is easy to sec why the Mission of necessity has solicited, and continues to solicithelp from brethren in the United Stales to erect church buildings in Western Mexico.

Approximately 4,000 Mexican pesos are needed to purchase the material to completeconstruction. This is equivalent to 4,000 dollars in theUnited States, BUT at the present rate of exchange, 320American dollars will buy 4,000Mexican pesos!

Think of it, brethern! S320.will build a complete church

in Mexico! You might add twociphers to that and it stillwouldn't buy the majority ofthe buildings we meet in inthis country.

Bro. Julian hopes to havethe money on lianil to completethe Hanchito Church buildingin time for the Western Mexicofinristian Convention, August16-1-9, 19.55,

TRUCK LINES CONTINUEFREE FREIGHT SERVICE

.Many of tiie churches havebeen assisting with the workin Mexico by sending usedclotliing which is helpful notonly in relieving liie dire needsof these people but also oftentimes affords an opportunity toreach these people for Christ.If you would like to help andyou live in one of these areas,you can now take advantage ofthe free freight arrangementswhich Bro. Walkinson has beenfortunate enough to make withseveral of the freight lines.

For the higiiway 99 northarea: pack, tie, and take boxesor barrels to the Los AngelesSeattle Motor Fxpress depotnearest yovi, tell the agentwliat llie things are to be usedfor (mission ciiarily purjioses),and ask for free hauling. Address shipment: Western Mexico Christian Mission, Box1530, Nogales, Arizona, viaL.A.-S.M.L. to L. A.—WesternTruck Lines to Nogales.

For those served by the Consolidated Freiglitways: lakethings to their nearest depotand make an application forhauling, ( riiis may take several days to clear.) When theokay comes through from llieirhead office, send the shipmentaddressed as follows: WesternMexico Christian Mission, Box1530, Nogales, Arizona, viaConsolidated Freightways toL.A., Western Truck Lines toNogales.

Sonora .Slate Hrison Administration Building ami \ isilors'Lnlrance. (.Sec \rtii ie <m i-cvuj..ige.)

Page 6 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1955

DO YOU LIKE THE PRINTING OF THIS ISSUE?(Continued from Page 3)

Visit A Foreign Mission Field

This Summer

WESTERN MEXICO

CHRISTIAN CONVENTION

August 16-19, 1955(180 miles south of Nogales,Arizona, on a paved highway)

*******

All Services^Bilingual:Spanish— English

*******

Air-Conditioned Hotel and Motel Rooms Available by Reservation. Write;

GERALD D. BOWLIN, Dir.W. Mexico Christian MissionApdo. 150,Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

MTWOfOLOMmiO

Orin H. Hardenbroolc

Representing:THE WESTERN CHRISTIAN

MISSIONin the Intermountain Area

***************

Colored Slides—Late News airmailed direct from the field.***************

Write or contact:ORIN H. HARDENBROOKc/o Eastside Church of ChristE. 10th & TroyRural Airoort Sta.Pueblo, Colorado

The Western Mexico ChristianApdo. Postal 130 (Independencia 1.89 Int.)Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

St. Jolint Cl'''''rtian

iUj 16, 1966

Mr* Jorry WfttidtttenTtf (fottern Mnloo Chriatttnipdo. Postnl 160HoroIos, Aritoa*

Door Ur* Watkioeon,

. sjJhtmti, MAOOSUtTmen.

Wa purehased tho Multllith (nodal 76) laat yoar and I haaa •dona nost of tha vork that baa baan dona on It, both In tha linoof printing and rapair work* lot baing at all naohanieally aindad,it haa baan quit# a taak at tlsaat hoaoTar, I an oonfidaat nowthat 1 haaa naatarad that part of tha naehina* And If 1 oan dothat, aoyoaa can, ballaaa sal

lha Mttltillth la, of oonraa, a caehlna daslgnoA for a particular typa and kind of printing* Wa hara had axcaptlonal cneoaaa(eonaldaring our laok of azparianoa and ksowladga about it tobegin with) in getting outatanding raaulta on OTorything frooBBall onvoiopaa to ttia largaat ahaata of paper tha snohina willtake .and hare aueeaaafully dona two ax)d three oolor work* Wa hawafound that natal plataa are aaaiar to handle and gira batter raaulta than tha paper saatarai howavar, both are vary worthwhile*Wa hawa dona a codi larger quantity of printing of a highar q^ali^than waa poaaibla whan wa had tha printing dona fbr ua. ocotaroially,qnd atill have eoaa out on top finanoially* 1 would aatlBata thatwa aawad enough on printing ooata in the firat aiz caontha that wabad tha oachina to pay for tha coat of it* Wa qppraoiata Ita war-aatllity and tha wariaty of work wa can do with it* Bnoloaad araaoaa aasplaa of dlffaront joba wa hawa dona*

X hope thia la helpful to you* Xf you hawa any quaationa orother faoata you want corarad, X proaiaai to write iModiataly uponraoaipt of a lattarl

Xa Hia ^ad aarrioa.

m pmA mt mnthm t

U.S. POSTMASTER — FORM 3547 REQUESTED

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

P.O. Box 1530

Nogales, Arizona

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIANIncluding::

noexican Seminary IRews

Vol. VII—No. 3 & 4 Nog:ales, Sonera, Mexico S. & Pall 1955

Mexico^ Here We Come!BOWLIN RECEIVES

MEXICAN PASSPORTAN ANSWER TO PRAYER —We

prai.se God that in late October I wa.sis.sue(l a Mexican immigrant passfX)rt.When after years of prayer and workI finally held that precious documentin my hand it seemed as though I werein a dream, Truly it Ls a prayer victory, for what was thought impossibleby men. God made possible in His owntime.

Mission Director Gerald D. BowlinHolding Mexican Passport

MUST BE IN MEXICO BY NOV. 21.1955—As I must register in Mexico before Nov. 21, 1955 to fulfill requirementsof my passport, we are in the midst ofa mad rush trying to get all the necessary arrangements made. As this iswritten we are ready to journey toHermosillo to seek the house the Lordhas for us there.

MISSION PERSONNEL PLAN TOMOVE LATER—It is planned that theother missionaries, the Jerry Watkin-.sons and Miss Lorene M.irtin, employing t) mo. tourist permits, shall followthe Bowlin family to Hermosillo a.s soonas housing is available. The personnelof Mexican Bible Seminary will moveat the close of the fall semester.

How You Can HelpPRAYER—Plea.so continue to pray

for us as we move to the interior ofMexico.

FUNDS—Few general appeals forfunds have been made by your mkssionstaff in the past, but now that we havea time limit on our op>erations we mustask youi- help. We are on the verge ofa great victory for Christ and HisChurch in Western Mexico, yet ourGeneral Fund offerings have fallen offduring these last few months to sucha place that we are about one monthbehind on all our expenses, includingsalary to our native workers. Brethren,these things ought not to be. Ourworkers must pay their grocery billsand we must pay all mission bills before we leave Nogales. We need yourhelp immediately. We urge you tosend an offering; make it as generousas possible and send it today—tomorrowmay be too late to help us win thisvictory.

SAME ADDRESS —Until notified,please use our old addre.ss as shownbelow.

Mailing Address:

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

MISSION

Apartado Po.stal No. 150

NOGALES. SONORA. MEXICO

(Postage to Mexico is the same asIn U.S.A.—3c Regular; Gc Air Mail)

Christmas GiftsChristmas is Just around the corner.

Please send your small toys for children's (.'hristmas sacks now. Parcel

Post address: Box 1530, Nogales, Ariz.

NEEDED—BICYCLESFOR OUR NATIVE EVANGELISTS

Even this inexpensive form of transportation is a big help In isolated posts.

Page 2 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN S. &c Fall 1955

Convention Audience

'55 Mexican WestCoast Convention

Held In HermosilloIT'S CONVENTION TIME—We are

speaking of the Western Mexico Christian Convention. Just a few weeks ago,Augast 16-19 to he exact, it was "Convention Time" for all the congregationsof the Church of Christ on the WesternCoast of Mexico and the words of thissong were heard in botli Sp.inish andEnglish.

Although the convention was lield inHermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, some 180miles south of the border, there wereseveral visitors from the states. Theywere Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Peterson ofPhoenix, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hoff ofSoutli Gate, Calif., and Paul Rathbern,visiting from Colegio Biblico.

Mes.sages were brought by Bro. Peterson and by Bro. Hoff. Bro. Rathbernaided in the translation. All agreedthat the convention was one of the

Brush Arbor "Ramada"

most inspiring they had ever attendedin any language.

Perhaps this convention wouldn'tmeasure up exactly to some in regardsto the beautiful convention halls wherethey are held. Pictured at left below isthe "ramada" constructed by the hostchurch at Hermosillo.

As you can see, it is a leanto construction covered with coiTugated tarpaper. Occasionally the neighborhoodchickens or dogs would wander in tolisten and there was always plenty ofair. As I said, this convention didn'thave a lot in physical attraction but.spiritually it was way up in front!

Although not overly spacious, on theclosing night there were approximatelyone hundred adults under the roof andanother hundred standing in the shadows. being afraid to come in because of

t::--

Convention President Gutierrez

possible persecution from the Catholicchui'ch.

Bro. Andres Gutierrez, teacher at theSeminary and minister at BenjaminHill, had the opening addre.ss. Thisman is really a preacher!

Even though some of the quality andoriginality is lost through translationto those who do not speak Spanish, theAmerican visitors still thought hismessage was very good. The theme ofthe program was "The Church ofChrist Ls Not a Denomination Because—". The New Testament Churchis quite new to these people and muchteaching is needed.

In addition to the preaching by Bro.Andres, messages were brought by Bro.Alejandro Julian. Director of MexicanBible Seminary: by Bro. Watkinson,missionary; by Bro. Hoff; and by Bro.Peterson, Bro, Gerald Bowlin. Director

S. & Fall 1955 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

of the Mission, and Paul Rathbemtranslated.

This Andres Gutierrez fellow is quiteversatile. When it comes time for thespecial music he picks up the guitarand accompanies the little portableorgan, which, by the way, was donatedto the mission by Oren Hardenbrook,Pueblo, Colorado. It's surprising theamount of music that they can get outof these two instruments.

The man playing the organ is SamuelPierro, a musician formerly with Mexico's largest circus.

Not only was the music gcod but someof our churches in the U.S. could takesome tips in the singing as well. Perhaps it is well that there were no wallsin the building!

One of the highlights of the convention was when the host chimch, theRanchito congregation in Hermo.silio,

Special Music

held the ordination services for EpifanioGutierrez, the first graduated studentof Mexican Bible Seminary. Bro. Gutierrez graduated in Dec., 1953, and hasbeen a hard working native evangelistwith the mission .since he finished hisschooling.

We are indeed proud of him and hopethat before long we have some morejust like him. You can take pride inhim, too. if you have had a part in thework of the mls.slon through your .support.

These people are neither slack norbackward in their woi-k. The entireconvention was planned and carried outby the native churches and workers.They decided on the theme, chose thespeakers, built the building and selectedtheir own officers.

Here we .see Bro. Andres Gutierrez,President for the 1955 convention, pre

ordination Service

siding at the presentation of the officers for the 1956 convention. Fromright to left they are Alejandro Julian,president: Epifanio Gutierrez, vicepresident: Esther Julian secretary: andBro. Guerrero, treasurer.

Considering that this New Testamentwork has been here only a little overfive years, we think that these peopleare doing remarkably well. Please prayfor the mission that there might be asmuch progress in the next five years!And. incidentally, maybe you would liketo back those prayers with some dollar'sto make .sure they come true.

11 More Victories For

Christ In Mexico

Since this issue was set up about twoweeks ago there have been eleven morebaptisms. Bro. Alex Julian reports ninein the Nogales congregation and Bro.Epifanio Gutierrez sent word of twomore baptisms in his work near Her-mosillo. The Lord continues to blessthis work. Please pray for us!

Officers. 1956 Convention

Page_.4^. THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRIS

THE WATKINSONS "FIELD NEW§ fN BRIARE ON THE FIElA

Off t!^*^ld at Nogalesand are rejoicing in the Lord that wecan work here with this Mexican Mission where there is so much opportunityto serve him.

We ai-rived on the field early inAugust, in time to help with the Western Mexico Christian Convention in

I Hermosillo. Immediately after thei convention we began om* search for a

place to live. The Lord supplied ourevery need.

, We are now quite busy with work for|he Mission. I teach a class in Englishat the Seminary while Deloris and Iare studying Spanish. Deloris is working on flannel-graph for the youngsters^Anyone have some extra materials oran easel?). Together we try to keepu|> on the correspondence. I am helpingwith the construction of the Nogales,Sbnora, church building by using thettfuck I brought to haul dirt, gravel,adobe, etc. We try to keep enoughpictures ahead to have some to sendto those who are interested. I told mycp-workers the other day that 1 wishedI^were triplets!-.We want to thank all who have

helped us to realize our goal to workwith the Mexican people where therei.%so great a need. We know that youafe faithful and will continue to standIjfehind us as we move on down intoMexico. Please remember that we allwill have extra expenses in moving andit will be necessary to stock up on aifumber of things, especially for thechildren.

BAPTISMS—Approximately 40 baptisms have been reported to date ascompared with 14 for 1954. One wasa 104 year old woman.

CHURCH BUILDINGS—The Nogalesbuilding Ls being roofed. BenjaminHill plans a small chapel. The Ranchitowork is slow due to lack of funds tocomplete walls. Some progre.ss inplans for other buildings.

DVBS—Seven successful schools wereheld in Sonora.

MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY—Seven eager students registered for thefall semester. Prof. Elva Garcia grnnteda leave of absence to nurse molhei'back to health.

OLD HENRY—Surplus military Fordtruck. Hauled furniture to field forWatkinsons. Dirt, gravel and adobefor church buildings. Needs doctoringand something to "eat." Specify."Truck Fund."

The Western MexicoChristian

Published by The Western MexicoCliristian Mission (A Part Of TheArizona Corporation, Mexican BibleSeminary), Apartido Postal No. 150,Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, an independent, direct - support mission,whose purpose Is to preach theGospel and establish churches afterthe New Testament Pattern alongthe We.st Coast of Mexico, especiallyby means of native Christian workers, trained under competent Christian teachers.

GERALD D. BOWLIN, Editor

The Western Mexico Christian^pdo. Postal 150 (Independencia 189 Int.)t NOGALES. SONORA, MEXICO

U.S. Postmaster—Form 3547 RequTHE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

P. O. Box 1530NOGALES, ARIZONA

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIANIncludlnf:

flDeilcan ffilble Seminar? ViewsVol. VIII, Ko. 1

The Gerald D. Bowlin Family

MISSIONARIES NOW

LIVING IN MEXICOOn Friday, Hovenber 18, 1955,

the Gerald D. Bowlin family moved"lock, stock and barrel" to theirnen borne in Bermosillo, Sonora,Mexico. They also took with themDkost of the office files and someof the equipment. As no other fundswere available, they borrowed fromtheir living-link funds to make themove. Thank God this has been repaid and some has come in to helpwith the moving expenses of theother missionaries and native work-

n-ontlnucd on Pase 2)

Uiss Lorene Martin

Mtd-Wifii»«,, IM5-56

kJi)The Jerry D. Katkinson Family

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

By Gerald D. Bowlin

Kith this bulletin the Gerald D.Bowlins, founders of Hestern MexicoChristian Mission, complete a fullterm of missionary service in thisfield: Five years of service anda "furlough yeai" spent on the fielddoing "business as usual" due tolack of sufficient experienced missionary personnel to take overtheir work. flith thanksgiving inour hearts for God* s rich blessingand constant guidance we present toyou a resume of some of the accomplishments of the past six yearsand our bopes and prayers for thefuture. (Continued on Page 4)♦■iHi a a H BKKMt(«-?!-lt4i^;fr»BHHH(4t41

I NEW ADDRESS FOR LETTERS Ji Address all letters for Mission |% and Missionaries to: vi WESTERN MEnCO CHRIvSTIflK MISSION |I Apdo. 550 I% Rerraoslllo, Sonora, Mexico ^T HMHHBKHKH |^ packages should continue to be x^ sent to our forwarding address: SI Box 1530 II Nogales, Arizona |

»IIKKMIIBBgr

^crru (HT^rtstmas mi£» JTappu, prosperous ^ ^'̂ ear to JVII '̂ricu^6 of ^exico

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Mid-Wintor 1955-56

On the ^ay to Hermosillo

THE MISSION DIRECTOR'SCOLUMN

By Gerald D. Bowlin

My heart's desire for years hasbeen to live in Mexico and onceagain in my life God has honoredHis promise found in Psalm 37:4"Delight thyself also .in the Lordand He shall give thee the desiresof thine heart," for we now livein Hermosillo, state of Sonora, republic of Mexico.

Man said it was impossible toobtain a permanent Mexican passport(No provision in the Mexican imiai-gration laws for "missionaries ofreligion"), yet I am now the proudpossessor of one which allows me tolire and labor for Christ in Mexico.

All our friends and acquaintancesin Hermosillo told us "there are nohouses for rent in fierniosillo."One American businessman told me 'of'staying 18 months in a motel cabinbefore be fotind a bousel let, whenmy passport was ready a bouse wasalso ready. In fact, the Lord leaus, by His people, to not only ahouse with electricity and indoorplumbir.g for ourselves, but firstto one for the tatkinsons as well

and just three blocks apart on thesame street. "Kith men this ie

inpossible; but with God all thingsere possible."

God bless you all during thisholiday season.

MISSION PERSONHLL IN MEXICO(CoAilrtuvd Ffsm Pa^* I)

ers. The trip itself was uneventful. They report that they stillhave blankets over some of the

Reina Flores C.

MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARYGRADUATION

Friday evening, December 2, 1955marked another milestone in the history of Mexican Bible Seminary whena second young woman received her"Pastor's Assistant Certificate."

The exercises were held in theNogules, Sonora church building,and though the night was bittercold and the building unheated,still our hearts were warmed by thebeautiful voices of the Seminarymixed quartet; the shining face oftile gr^uate, Reina Flores 0., ofBacobao^io, Sonora; her words ofdedication to the cause of Christ;and the inspiring sermon of theevening. May her life in His service be long and firuitful.

«iimiiiiiK)!iiwiiiiiiKmi.

windows, but that the house isliveable.

As this issue goes to press theJerry HHatkinson family are readying their truck and small housetrailer for the move to Hermosillo.

Miss Lorene Martin hopes to moveby the end of the year. She verygraciously agreed to be the lastmissionary to move to Hermosillo inorder that we might have the use ofher home for the preparation of theseveral hundred Christmas sacks forthe Mexican Bible School pupils.Native workers are also preparingto move.

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Urs. Rojelina Gamez

NURSE BOWLIN BUSYSickneBS is no respecter oi

country, race, creed or colorj butwhere there is poverty, ignoranceand unsanitary living conditionssuch as those prevalent in Catholicdominated countries such as Mexico,sickness abounds.

Just before the Bowlins left forMexico a shipment of sai^le medicines was providentially receivedfrom the St.John's Christian Churchof Portland, Oregon and-Bdrs. Genevabowlin packed them in with her orahousehold goods. She reports thatthere were so many church membersill when she arrived in KermosiUo

that as soon as she and BrotherBowlin had a path cleared throughtheir house they spent a day and ahalf sorting the medicine, then shebegan treating the sick: Ear infection; rheumatism; bronchitis;anemias; and miscellaneous cuts andabrasions. All these were treatedduring the first week in Mexico!

Then "to top it all off" shebrought ti:e young woman picturedabove (a sister-in-law of Evangelist Epifanio Gutierrez) from a tworoom, dirt-floor adobe house intoher own home where she and a Mexican midwife delivered Urs. Gamez ofa fine baby girl weighing aboutsix pounds.

Mrs. Bowlin requests that thecfaxircbes not only send medicines,

(ConUnued on'Pnge 4)

Church Building, Nogales, Son

CHURCH BLDG. REPORT

Our Goal in 1955 was five newchurch and chapel buildings. Todate we have in spite of many difficulties, including lack of funds,been able to place two in use.Others are in various stages, ranging from negotiations for lots towork on the walls.

Shown above is the Hogales,Sonora building which is already inuse in spite of the fact that floor,ceiling and plaster are lacking.Already over a dozen persons havebeen baptized in its' baptistry,some even before the roof was on.This buiiding was begun with fundsfrom the Emmett G. Wilder Memorialrund, Christian Church,Casa Grande,Arizona. Money was loaned to thechurch by the idssion, and as soonas the congregation is financiallyable, they will begin repaying thisloan in small monthly payments.These payments, along with others,will go into a revolving churchbuilding loan fund to help othercongregations in Weetem Mexico.

Villa de Seris, Hermosillo, Eon.

Pogo 4 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Mid-Winter 1955-56

PAST, PRESENT, FUTDHE(ContiiHMd PfMi Po9« 1)

1950—PAST, PRESENT—1955PREACHERS; 1950, one; 1955, five

plus Seminazy students.CONGREGATIONS: 1950, one regxilar;

1955, five plus five preachingpoints.

BAPTISMS; 1950, few reported; 1955,sixty to December 1.

CHURCH BOIUttNGSt 1950^ none; 1955,one coa^leted, one almost coio-pleted; one under construction^two te^orary buildings completed, one lot being fenced, threelots being negotiated.

SEMMARYt 1950, two students; 1955,average of eight students.

D.V.B.S.t 1950, one; 1955, five.USED CLOTHING; 1950, few boxes;

1955, seven to eight tons,MEDICAL: 1950, Uttle; 1955, sev

eral operations, one hearing aidand many medical treatments.

LOCATION; 1950, Nogales, Arizona,U.S.A.; 1955, HermosiUo, Sonora,Mexico.

MISSIONARIES; 1950, two adults;1955, five adults.

(Centimisd From Pog* 3|

vitamins and layettes (Box 1530,Mogaxes, Arizona), but that theyalso send some money to buy medicines not found in the 8aiiq)le8,bendages and to pay occasionallaboratory and X-ray fees (Mrs.Geneva Bnwlin, Apdo. 350, HermosiUo, Sonora, Mexico).

The Western Mexico ChristianAiKla. Pu.tai ISO (lodepeodcncia 189 IbI.I

NIKIMKN. SANOIM. MCXlCO

IJ..S. Postanster—Fonn 3547 RequestedTIIF. WCSTRKN MEXICO CHKfSTfAN

P. O. am ISMNOOALRS, AKIZONA

1956—FUTURE —1960PREACHERS; Train a minimum of one

each year.BAPTISMS; "God giveth the increase."CONGREGytTIQNS; One preaching point

become a congregation each year.CHURCH BUILDINGS; Complete those

xmder construction; thereafterhave loan fund sufficient to helpbuild one each year.

SEMEBARY; Increase our enrollmentto twenty-five.

D.V.3.S.; Hold schools for all con-gregatloi^ and preaching points.

USED CLOTHING; Cbhtinne this ser-viee of charity.

MEDICAL: Ditto.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS; Ditto.

LOCATION: Purchase land in HermosiUo and build at least Seminaryclassrooms and Mission office.

MOVING FUNDS STILL NEEDEDMany of you have already res

ponded to our appeal for movingfunds and we are grateful. Some'are still to be heard from. Yourmissionaries and native workersstep out on fa).th.

Please send your contributiontoday use the envelope we sentyou just cross out the "150" and"Nogales" and replace with "350"and "Heriy)8illo."

PLEDGE FOBMSPlease let us have your pledge

forms as soon as possible that wenay cooqplete our file. (Our thanksto those who have already mailedtheirs).