THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIANVol. XII-3, 4; XIII-l Including Mexican Bible Seminarji News Spring, 1961

PROFESSOR MILLS VISITS MEXICO(Reprinted from the Pacific Bible Seminary

Bulletin, August, 1960)One of the severe criticisms heard re

cently concerning many missionaries is thatthey do not bother to identify themselveswith the people they are trying to win, butestablish a little American colony in a foreign land. Perhaps they do not even overcome the first hurdlethe language hurdleand cannot preach and teach in the vernacular, but must rely on interpreters. Thesepeople remain foreigners to each other.

During the recent spring vacation, DeanRichard C. Mills and his wife Dr. DorothyHurst Mills traveled witli four other members of the Lakcwood Church of Christ tovisit the Western Mexico Christian Missionwhere the Bowlins (ex '46) and the Wat-kinsons ('54) and the Gilsons are doing suchan outstanding work. Gerald Bowlln andhis wife Geneva first started this missionamong tlic Mexicans at the border townof Nogalcs, but have since moved it deepinto Mexico, at Plerniosillo, State of Sonora.Mexico.

Gerald Bowlin is not considered a foreigner by these Mexican people. They say,"He is not an American. He is a Mexican 1"In fact, he has so identified himself withthem as a servant of Christ, in knowledgeof tlicir ways and language, and in deepsympathy and concern, that they think ofhim as their "patron."

A "patron" in Mexico is usually that agedpatriach or matriarch of the village who islooked for advice and counsel, for leader-

(Continued on page 4.)

Another Pacific Bible Seminary professor, G. B.Gordon, visits with Gerry Bowiin

ON THE JOB TRAINING iOF MISSIONARIES

By Gerald D. Bowlin

Much has been said of late concerning thetraining of missionar-es by our colleees andseminariesspecial departments have beenopened, extra teachers hired, and one collegeis planning a separate School of Missions.We applaud these efforts and would onlyadd the time proven formula: Nothing takesthe place of experience.

Our goal at Western Mexico ChristianMission has been and is the evangelizationof the West Coast of Mexico, and brotherJulian and I had thought to train othermissionaries to take our place here, andthen he and T pioneer in new fields, but inpart the reverse lias proven to be the case.We have indeed been able to train othermissionaries, but thev. not we. have gore onto pioneer in new fields! With the openingof the new fields of Central Sinaloa andthe Pacific region of Lower California announced elsewhere in this issue, we findthat about 25% or one-fourth of the adult.American missionaries laboring in Mexicohave had from a vear to 5 vears on the iobtraining with Western Mexico Christian

(Continued on page 5.)

SEVENTH WESTERN MEXICOCHRISTIAN CONVENTION 1960

By Alejandro JulianTranslated from"El Heraldo."

When tiie first Convention was held in1954, we thought, one day it will be great,and although that future day seemed faroff, not many years have gone by: we in1960 saw at least the beginning of thatdream fulfilled.

Under a simple brush arbor we opened theConvention in that year never to be forgotten. Today in a church building, thohumble, yet a sanctuary, we thank God he

(Continued on page 2.

Page 2 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1961

DIRECTOR'S COLUMN

Thank you each one who prayed for usand who gave as you were able the past year.And special thanks goes to those who responded to "It Ail Depends On You" withstudent sponsorships. Enough were pledgedso that we squeaked thru with offeringsthat came in. More arc still needed atMexican Bible Seminary$30.00 per month.

Seems we have so many special projectsnow that old "Mr. General Fund," alias,"Where Needed," stays in the red most ofthe time, so you might pray for him oncein a while too! God bless you.

BowUa's ioster son, Oscar, member, Mexican Na-tionat Little League Championship team with

1960 National Trophy

SEVENTH WESTERN MEXICOCHRISTIAN CONVENTION 1960

(Continued from page 1.)is letting us see some of that "future" fulfilled. And a brighter future yet it will bewhen we see tully realized that honorablename, Western- Mexico Christian Convention, when we have representatives fromchurches all along the Pacific.

How many things we have to say aboutthe Seventh Convention! How well we remember the theme of the Convention:"Reaching The Goal of the Church inMexico," and the Round Table discussionsdealing with such subjects as. The NewTestament MissionaryWho Sent Him andWho paid Him? Sermons such as. "TheGoal of the Church is Reached by Means ofthe Proper Administration of Her Goods;""The Goal of the Church is Reached byMeans of the Preparation of ChristianWorkers"The Goal of the Church isReadied by Means of Benevolence."

M. B. S. student and graduates, 1960 Convention

In spite of the fact that we speak in thepast tense, the joy of this convention isstill with usthe thrill of three hundredpeople in the evening services and fifty inthe mornings. And now many of thesebrethren can feel what Paul felt when heset out for the meeting in Jerusalem.And how beneficial above all it is for thehost congregation to enjoy the ministry ofthe Word, and in addition, communion withall the oarticipating congregationsto become acquainted with all these brethrenwho, like them, hold and love the Truth.

The Officers of the 1961 Convention areas follows: President, Regino Aguilar, Minister of the La Mesa church; Vice-president,Dionicio R. Atondo, Minister of the churchin Culiacan, Sinaloa; Secretary. AlejandroJulian, Director of Mexican Bible Seminary, Hermosillo. The 1961 Convention willbe held at the San Benito, Hermosillo,church, October 3-5. Remember that thisconvention incurs certain expenseswe depend upon you.

^5.

Closing prayer by new president, I960 Convention

Spring, 1961 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Page 3

ii'm

1

American visitors viewing La Mesa bidg.

BRICKS, MORTAR, ROCK ANDCEMENT

Thanks to the generosity of Christianfriends across the land the work of layinga physical foundation for the work of Christin Western Mexico goes slowly forward.

The minister's room at San Benito hasbeen completed and is occupied by the newminister (See, Changes of Ministry). Themembers built a small kitchen.

The adobe church building at La Mesa,begun under the guidance of Jack Gilson,was roofed and rough finished in time forthe Convention last November. The members are planning to do their part by plastering inside and out and pouring a concrete floor. Each family has agreed to furnish a bench, and some are already in use.The minister's home was also renovatedand concrete floors poured. (Also seeChanges of Ministry).

The caretaker's house on the Clinic property has been completed and occupied.Dispensary-Clinic plans are still not completed as we were advised to draw plansfor the complete unit and have all approvedat once, even the we take .several years tocomplete construction.

Our big project the two story Villa dcSeris church building, for which JerryWatkinson drew the rough plans, has beendelayed due to various factors such asgovernment red tape as to specifications andplans (and the money to pay for them!);also, the fact that several of our other projects seemed more urgentrain would havemelted the adobe walls at La Mesa for

Alex and Esther Julian with some Seminarystudents

1960 Mexican Bible Seminary ; 1961Mexican Bible Seminary, in its eleventh

year of service to the Mexican churches,continues its training of the leaders of thechurch of tomorrow.

This Spring semester, as in the Fall one,.eisbt students are enrolled, about the maximum we can handle with present facilitiesand finances. Several sponsorships are stillavailable at $30 per month. Write for details.

THE WESTERN MEXICOCHRISTIAN

Published four times each year,funds permitting, by the Missionariesassociated with Western MexicoChristian Mission, Apdo. Postal 350(Office; Tlaxcala 109 Pte.), Hermo-sillo, Sonora, Mexico.Gerald D. Bowlin Editor

instance. We hope however to pour the basement unit this summer.

The Seminary continues to use the classrooms at Villa de Seris, but urgently neededboys' dorm space. And the Lord heard oursupplications, for a dear brother in So.Calif, sent in enough to build two rooms..As this goes to press we are pouring thefoundation for four much needed rooms,with the expectation that God will touchother hearts.$100. per room, brick, concrete floor and roof.

These building projects can only progressas rapidly or as slowly as you supply thefunds. Choose a project and help us givethese wonderful Mexican minister."! andChristians the tools to work with.

Page 4 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1961

TWO NEW FIELDS OPENEDIN WESTERN MEXICO

Following through on their most commendable desire to pioneer in a new fieldin Mexico, Jack and BilUe Gilson, aftertwo years labbr in Sonora moved in theearly summer to central Sinaloa, the nextstate soutli. Sponsored by the CentralChurch of Christ of Phoenix, .Arizona, theyare assisting Dionicio R. Atondo, a 1959graduate of Mexican Bible Seminary, in theestablishment of a congregation in one ofthe suburbs of Culiacan, the state car-hal.Bro. Atondo reported at the Western Mexico Christian Convention in November, 1960that attendance- was averaging 30-40, thatthe group had made "a down pavment on alot and built an arbor for services.

Jerry and Deloris Watkinson. who begantheir furlough in June of 1960 have sinceannounced their intent to preach the Cos-pel on the peninsula of Lower Californ'a,snonsored by the So. Santa Ana. Calif.Church of Christ. Another graduate of Mexican Bible Seminary, Epifanio Gutierrez(1953\ is already on the field, laying thegroundwork for the evangelism program.

Western Mexico Christian Mission feelsfortunate to have liad a small nart in thepreliminary planning, and training of personnel for these new ventures for Christ inWestern Mexico.

PROFESSOR MILLS VISITS MEXICO

(Continued from page 1.)ship and authority. Gerald Bowlin hasearned this title among them, in his devotion to them as individuals in their needfor a personal Savior. He has made Him. theSavior, personal toono foreigner!

There are many discouraging factors inthis mission field, as in others, but the typeof service described above will be the mostsuccessful, other things being equal. If wewant to know if our missionaries are doinga good job, perhaps we should ask the people they serve: "Do these, our missionaries,identify themselves with you, or do youregard them a.s foreigners ?"

Mrs. Bowlin helps Kathy dis'ribute Christmasgilts to her Bible School class

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Thank you one and all for the fine giftsof toys, candy and money you sent in tohelp make the Christmas season a Joyousone for our Mexican boys and girls. Sackscontaining toys, candy and oranges werepassed out to all our Bible schools attheir programs, and sacks of candy andoranges were given to all visitors.

Christmas may seem a long way off, butD.V.B.S. time isn't, and that's a real goodtime to have your own Mexican Christmasparty with each child bringing a card containing some change to hang on the tree(In other years we have asked for dimestore toys, but with Mexican customstightening up we can better use the moneythis year.)

Bro. Bowlin passing out Christmas sacks to bisJr.-lnter. class

spring, 1961 THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Page 5

EACH ONE TEACH ONEJALISCO

Such was the title of an article in theSpring. 1959 "Christian" telling of membersof the Nogales congregation who were evangelizing in their home villages. A recentletter from Poncitlan tells of continued interest despite persecution. Also, the desireof some of the families to build a chapel.Bible school supplies have been sent. Howwe wish we had the time and means tovisit these far flung battle fields and encourage the brethren.

Seminary graduate leads La Mesa D.V.B. S. groupla song

D.V.B.S.

Our Daily Vacation Bible schools inI960 were tlic usual slam-bang success withattendance in all schools averaging over50 per day, and one school, Bacobampo,with an average of 60 for the 10 days.Another mark of success was the active participation of the local church, with severalholding their own schools; the others ofcourse received help from Mission personnel, and all .schools were supplied withworkbooks and handwork materials by theMission.

Plans are being laid by Mrs. EstherJulian for the 1961 summer schoolsworkbooks have been ordered, and we shouldbegin stockpiling the other supplies. Wehope you will again wish to have a partin this vital service to the churches ofSonora. May we have a generous checktoday?

CHANGES OF MINISTRYAs Regmo Aguilar asked for a Her-

mosillo ministry in order to concentratemore on his Seminary work, the La Mesavillage churcli called bro. Marcario Martinez. He and sister Mercedes are alreadyon the field.

The Triguera mission, where Bro. Martinez ministered, is being cared for tliis semester by Bro. Aeuilar and Bro. Julian.

Alejandro Hernandez married and movedto Arizona from the San Benito church.Bro. Jesiis A. Rojo fM.B.S. '59), who hadjust comnlefed hi.s Mexican Army Reservetraining in Nogales. was called as minister.He has been with the church since Christmas : his mother recently arrived to makea home for him.

Both the San Benito and La Mesa churches furnish as much of their minister's salary each week as able; the Mission contributes the rest.

ON THE JOB TRAININGOF MISSIONARIES

(Continued from page 1.)Mission. These missionaries and their respective fields are:Mary Walden GilmerErnest WaldenEugene MorganMarian MorganJerry WatkinsonDeloris WatkinsonJack GilsonBillie Gilson

2 yrs. Chihuahua2 yrs. Chihuahua1 yr. Chihuahua1 yr. Chihuahua

5 yrs. Lower Calif.5 yrs. Lower Calif.

2 yrs. Sinaloa2 yrs. Sinaloa

In his excellent book, Missionary Principles And Practice, Harold Lindsell saysof on the job training: "He (the new missionary) is there as a learner, and whilein theory lie has equality with the senioror older missionaries and has the privilegeof expressing his opinions he had betterlearn in silence at first. He must give theolder missionary tlm benefit of the doubt.Some day he himself will be an older missionary and would like to enjoy from hisyounger colleagues the same patience andforbearance liis older colleagues would likefrom him now."

We pray that some of the experiencegained by these young missionaries hasand will prove useful to the work of HisKingdom in Mexico. May both these new"senior missionaries" and thc'r younger colleagues be blessed with patience and forbearance as they continue the On the JobTraining of Missionaries for Mexico.

Page e THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN Spring, 1961

Bro. Julian baptizes "Maniacita" (Little Mother),friend of the Bowlins

BAPTISMSThe success or failure of any Christian

endeavor cannot be measured by statisticsalone, we do rejoice that the churches ofSonora reported a total of 25 baptisms dur-

/ ing the year 1960. San Benito (Hermosillo)led the way with 13, several coming fromtheir mission in Colonia Olivares.

Pastors Martinez and Juliancandidates

with baptismal

U]=tll=lll=lllsill=lll=tll=lll=lll=ill=lll=l!l=lllslll=|yNew Colored Slides Of lij

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN lOMISSION I

(Including, Mexican Bible Seminary) fijNow Available From 2

IDill

MISSION SERVICESBox 968, 509 W. Jefferson

Joliet, Illinois USAIII

lll=lll=lll=lll=m=lll=lil=lll=IIIEIIIEIIi=lll=lll=lll=FORWARDING AGENTPACKAGESWestern Mexico Christian MissionP.O. Box 1530Nogales, Arizona U.S.A.

Long Beach. Calif, visi'ors view well on Seminaryiarm

SEMINARY FARMThru the generosity of a fine Christian

friend, Mrs. Nora E. Simmons of Oxnard,Calif, (deceased) we have been able tliisspring to take one more step on the roadtoward an indigenous Mexican church, thepurchase of a small river bottom farm nearthe La Mesa village, to be known as theSeminary Farm. She "being dead yet speak-eUi."

This .small farm is partly cleared and partis in mcsquitc and cactus. A portion of theuncleared land we believe will be suitablefor fruit trees. A dug well was cleared ofsand and deepened and a small pump installed to irrigate a few acres of wheat andsome beans which bro. Julian planted forSeminary use.

Your suggestions and funds for improvement of the Seminary Farm will be mostwelcome.

OFFERINGSChurch ChecksLiving-Link and Service-Link sent via

church check may be made payable to theindividual missionary. Project checksSeminary. Benevolence, Evangelism. Construction. and GENERAT. FUNDshouldbe made payable to the Mission. Mail toMission address.

OFFERINGSPersonal ChecksIncome Tax

Make all your personal checks payableto MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY, ourFederally Tax-Exeinpt corporation.

MAILING ADDRESSLETTERSWestern Mexico Cliristian Mi.ssionApdo. Postal 350Hermosillo. Sonora. Mexico

A X A

P^SC/^' *

s^OA>

/

Send Checks to:EASTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSIONApdo Postal 350Hermosillo, Sonora, MEXICO

M MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSIONIs aVon-denominational, independent,faith \ission, operating -under charterissued W the St^te of Arizona, U.S.A.It is entirelyXdependent financiallyupon giftk sent directly to the fieldby Churches^ Church Groups and byindividuals. ."r-YOUR GIFTS SOLICITED..

XI CO

D D. BOV-/"

ofFIFTE.G\T YEARS

on theMEXICi^N MISSION FIELD

Send Packages to: Agent.WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSIONP. 0. Box 1530Nogales, Arizona, U. S. A.

A SHORT HISTORY OF V/SSTFRH MEXICO CHHISTIAH MISSION(Third Revision, 1^6l)

The following is a story, in "brief, of WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSION, told that youmight knov; its history, understand the v;ork in Western Mexico and analyze the needs ofthe field. As is often the case it is largely the history of the impact of a dedic=!tedlife. GERALD D. BOWLIN, Founder and Director of Western Mexico Christian Mission, tellsthe story: .... "The Mission v;as "begun end continues until now with the intent to preachthe Gospel and esta^blish churches after the Net-r Testament pattern hy means of nativeChristian v/orkers, trained under competent Christian teachers. This means not onlytraining students in MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY as ministers and Christian teachers, "butalso the training of those who have already graduated from Bi"ble College or Seminary inthe more practical aspect of the v;ork of soul winning,"

"We have long advocated the propriety, yes the wisdom of training ITexican Christians,then gradually integrating them into the mission work so that someday they will "be a'bleto manage the work of evangelism in their own country. Believing that the native shouldhave a voice in the administration, we named Bro. Alejandro (-^lex) Julian as Director ofthe Seminary itself. The Mexican Churches and students are proud to have one^of theiroT-m in charge and his heln as a native Christian, raised in the Church of Christ in theState of Coahuila, has "been and is invaluahle to the work of the J^ission. As Deah, Ihelp with planning, discipline and training."

Gradually the program of teaching and evangelism expanded and hore fruit; Churches"began to develop and these needed help, advice and counsel on hov; to proceed Scripturally.This was done first "by trips to the field from headquarters on the Mexican-Americanborder at Hogales, Arizona, Then in the fall of 155) I became the first AmericanMissionary of the Churches of Christ to enter Mexico with a permenant visa. The otherMissionaries who h^'ve worked with the Mission and other Missions have done so on avisa which requires renewal every six months on a viaitor's basis. In the fall of I960after 5 years of probation, I was granted permanent residence, with all the rights ^dorivileges of a Mexican citizon with the exception of political and military activities.The center of the work now is Hermosillo, Sonora, 1S5 miles south of Nogales, Arizona.

Hot long after the move to Hermosillo, the front porch of the Bowlin home began to fillwith sick children, pregnant women and the crippled, looking for the mercy of Christ as

given by the "Doctora", Missionary Nurse, Geneva S. Bowlin.V/'ith each treatment went a book of the Gospel of Luke witha special cover drav/ing attention to the story of theGood Samaritan. Perhaps one third of the church membersin Hermosillo came as a results of Geneva's program. Asdirect results of this soul vanning effort in MedicalEvangelism, a need for a clinic building apart from theBowlin home has become acute. Property has been purchasednear the Seminary lots on the Guaymas (Pan-American)Highvray. Plans are being drawn by the Health DepartmentEngineers, and we are confident that God v;ill lead andbless this effort.

In Mexican Bible Seminary, Bro. Julian makes use of theresident ministers in Hermosillo as teachers. From thebeginning the Seminary has been supported by the AmericanChurches who have seen the need of trained workers tolead in Church planting efforts in Mexico. Each studentcosts an average of $30,00 dollars a month, so of coursewe are limited by finances: the number we can care for.

When we "began our students were "youth" converts^ by now most are the children we taughtin Yesterday's Sunday School. Each school year six to eight students are enrolled. Theclassrooms are shared with the Yilla de Seris Church in Hermosillo; also the chapel(first story complete). In i960 a caretaker's house was built on Seminary property, andearly in I96l a four room brick boy's dormitory was constructed. In I96l another of myand Bro. Julian's dreams became a realitya small plot of land was purchased near oneof the nearby villages, a portion of it cleared of mesquite and cactus then planted tovrheat and pinto beans to help feed the Seminary students.

As mentioned it was found necessary from the beginning to train vrorkers that the groupsof believers vron by traveling evangelists might become Churches, As soon as theseChurches come into being, help is needed in a building programthese desperately poorbrethern go as far as they can, then the 'Tission steps in and helps them finish the Job.Buildings constructed or being constructed are; adobe building for Church services,Nogales, Sonora; brick church building and three adobe classrooms, Ranchito, Hermosillo;brick chapel and minister's quarters, San Benito, Hermosillo; brick chapel (first floor)and three classrooms, Villa de Seris, Hermosillo; adobe church building and minister'shome, village of La Mesa del Seri; plus various temporary chapels. A lot is held forChurch construction in Benjamin Hill, 100 miles north of Hermosillo.

Due to the unstable economic conditions as v/ell as the handicap of little or no Christianhome training, -lexican Bible Seminary has only averaged a little over one graduate foreach year of its existence. However, and this is important, some 100 young people havebeen trained in Seminary classes and have gone back to their home congregations to laborfor Christ, and the churches have been strenghtened immeasurably by these students whomight seem at first glance to be "lost" because they did not graduate. Because graduatesof the Seminary have gone on to pioneer in a number of new fields in Itexico, Lov/erCalifornia, Sinaloa and Chihuahua, to mention a fev;, Sonora is still short on ministers.

Another type of training carried on which has had considerable impact upon the Mexicanfield has been the training of missionaries. To date nine missionaries have been trained;these make up 30^ of the entire force of missionaries in Mexico I They are, togetherwith their respective fields; Mrs. Mary Walden Gilmer, Ernest Walden, Eugene and I-iarionMorgan (Chihuahua); Jack and Billie Gilson (Sinoloa); Jerry and Deloris Watkinson andMiss Lorene Martin (Lower California).^^ur Heaven3^ Father has blessed His work here in Western Mexico. Our hands are smalland our arms are so very short, and we so often lament the fact that we can't meet allthe needs of the field, but let's salute and pray for the Church in Western Mexico andMexican Bible Seminary with its first dormitory ready, with 5 churches or chapel buildingsconstructed and others under way. Two congregations completely self governed; 6 congregations and k missions meeting regularly; about 300 members of the body of Christscattered throughout Sonora. 30 more precious souls obeyed Christ in baptism in 160:Seminary students, ministers, evangelists and missionaries are busy in evangelism.GOD GRA^^T TTS (jpaqe TO CO'^TUHJE HIS TASK.

PROFESSOR RICF!\.RD MILLS VISITS MEXICO (Reprinted from the Pacific Bible Seminarybulletin, August, 160

One of the severe criticisms heard recently concerning many missionaries is that theydo not bother to identify themselves with the people they are trying to v/in, but establish a little American colony in a foreign land. Perhaps they do not even overcome thefirst hurdlethe language hurdleand cannot preach and teach in the vernacular, butmust' rely on interperters. These people remain foreigners to each other.

During the recent spring vacation, Dean Richard C. Mills and his wife, Dr, Dorothy HurstMills traveled to visit the Western Mexico Christian Mission where the Bov^lins (ex'i^)are doing such an outstanding work, Gerald Bowlin and his wife Geneva first started thismission among the Mexicans at the border town of ?'ogales, hut have since moved it deepinto I'iexico, at Hermosillo, State of Sonora, Mexico.

Gerald Bowlin is not considered a foreigner hy these Mexican people. They say, "He isnot an American, He is a Mexican 1" In fact, he has so identified himself v/ith them asa servant of Christ, in knowledge of their ways and language, and in deep sympathy andconcern, that they think of him as their "patron,"

A "patron" in Mexico is usually that aged patriarch or matriarch of the village who islooked to for advice and counsel, for leadership and authority. Gerald Bowlin hasearned this title among them, in his devotion to them as individuals in their need fora personal Savior. He hasmade Him, the Savior, personal toono foreigner 1

There are many discouraging factors in this mission field, as in others, hut the typeof service described above will be the most successful, other things being eq^ual. If v^ev;ant to know if our missionaries are doing a good job, perhaps we should ask the peoplethey serve: "Do these, our missionaries, identify themselves v;ith you, or do you regardthem as foreigners?"

BIOGRAPHY: Gerald and Geneva Bowlin

It was in the eyes of this couple th^t Western lexico Christian Mission, Mexican BibleSeminary and the related projects were origionally visioned.Gerald is a native of California, raised in the rich agricultural inland valley of thedesert near the Salton Sea. Gerry lived on his father's acreage and worked with theMexican oecDle on the farm and attended school v/ith them, so he had a good backgroundfor knowing' these -oeople. Gerry's religious training as a boy was in the Baptist Church,and he holds a degree from the Baptist Theological Seminary. It was while working inMexico that he sav/ the need to unite all believers under the name "Christian" and turnedto the New Testament Church and its practices. Following a tenure of indoctrination inPacific Bible Seminary under the late James G. Hurst at Long Beach, Calif, and a termas assistant minister at the Beach Street Church of Christ (Now First Christian ofSouth Gate) he went to Fagle Pass, Texas.

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In 19^5 Gerry and Geneva had married. Geneva was an experienced nurse and trained forthe mission field, having supervised nursing at a Los Angeles Hospital, worked in anemergency Hospital, a Doctors Office and an Old Folks Home, as well as special nursing.She is a native Oklahoman, hut calls California her home because of the many friendsand "homes away from home" the f^ily have, there. Her mother now lives in NorthernCalifornia at Geyserville. '

The idea for a Mission School to train v;orkers for Western Mexico was horn in April 19^7when Gerry visited Colegio Hihlico, Eagle Pass, Texas, to acquaint himself with thatmission nnd personnel.' ' Previous . to this he ha.d realized that- little value was to he 'gained hy making only short:visat.s to the field. The results...obtained hy Colegio Bihlicoin its few short years was impressed upon him, and when he v/as invited to join the staffhe accepted. ^ In 1?50 the, work in V/estern Mexico was organized and the actual WesternMexico Christian ^Ussion work .was underway, in the form of Mexican Bible Seminary.

During this time first Bobby, now ik and Kathy 12 were born. Both the children attendMexican Federal School vath.regular public students, and of course speak Spanish as dotheir classmates, although ^glish is spoken- at homewhen there are no Mexican speakingvisitors,, at least.

Oscar 15, and Mary 9 were added to the Bowlin family after they moved to Hermosillo.Oscar, son of a Christian widow \i^ith a large family in Nogales, Sonera, came to theBov/lins in March 1959. Mary, a daughter of an iliaerant farm laborer from Sinolo.a> rwhp.sehusband abandoned her came in February I960. All the children, including the adopted ones have been prominent in one field or another; Kathy v/as Spring Qp.een of her schoolof 600 students in'i955 (First time an American has been so "honored in Mexico, accordingto Associated press !) Bob won the district v;id& scholarship honors in i960 and is nowv>.,,in first year of Secondary School (Jr. Hi), Oscar Was a member of the Mexican National -.aChampionship Sonora Pony League team in 1?60; and Gerry says, when.i little Mary, who is -learning to speak English, hugs him and says "I luff you Daddy" she really rings thebelli (She does in school tooall 9's and 10's A's andB's).

WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT THE ^rSSTSEN MEXICO FIELD

When you plan a trip,write us for helpful travel information.

BIOG.-iAIKY: ALEJAlTD:iO IHD E3THEH JULIAN

Amone the first students and helpers in Mexican Bihle Serninary were twoyouni neople showins unusual ability and insight, and it_was w^th joythatVe saw Alejandro Julian and Esther Martinez united in ^arria^e onJuly 13, 1952. (Esther's father, Macario Martinez, our first nativeevangelist still labors for Christ in the Mayo .nver Galley, southHermosillo.)Since Bro Julian joined the work he has advanced from teacher 0^ OldTestament-for the Seminary to President or director of s insti^^^^^^Because of this position and h:^s ability in all phases of ^slonarY'work Bro Julian has earned full missionary statushe is a missionarythat'is he has opened new fields, even tho it be in his own country.nAipv" the son of middl- class parents from the State of Coahuila innorth Central Mex '^cf His father Ls for .any years foreman for an ..n.er-ican mining, company oreratHn^ Jn s home asChurch dur-'no' the earlv years of evanoreli s^ there. isther /;asa minister's dau-hterthus unnin'? two reo-le of ^Church's program ani proving tote extraordinarily fruitful for iKinedom. We believe the future years will provide ayouns cou-le (They are 30 years old) aloneside giants r-f the faith whereever they "^ay beGod grant it mav be so.Alex is a graduate of Colegio Bihlico, Eagle Pass, Texas. Esthera certificate from Mexican Bible Seminary. Esther spears Spanish andtwo Indian dialects fluently and both she and Aex are y^dyingin "spare" moments. (Esther was raised as the darling of twotribes on the Mexican V/est Coast and spoke Mayo, Yaq^i, and Spanish .interchangeably while she was still a young girl.) Alex has preachedin the area where Esther was raised and speaks a smattering of thedialects.

In complete charge of the developement and recruiting programSeminary, the dormitory arranf3:ement, student affairs, as an evangelist,construction superintendent, representative to 1and advisor to the Mexican Ministry, this man and his v/ife are a vitalnart of JESTEHN MEXICO CHPI3TIAN MISSION. (Esther cooks for the seminarystudents, supervises and teaches Bible Schools and the Summer DailyVacation Bible Schools,

Pedro 8, and 3sau a bri5:ht 5 year old complete the family. Alex andEsther have lost two little girls. (Mexicans say they are littleangels" in Heaven.) The boys are a definate rart of the Seminaryfamily ..If you doubt it just ask them!

BSNE70LEMT DEPARTMENT

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN MISSIONGeneva S. BowlinApdo. Postal 350

Hermosillo, Sonera, Mexico

ALL PACKAGES to; P. 0. Box 1530 Nogales, ARIZONA

Many have asked what YOU can do for the mission and how you can help with material things.The follovring list v/as made to give you an idea. In concidering us and our needs here,think of your own family, your needs, your likes and dislikes, "but remember our familynot only includes our ovm four children and ourselves,- hut those of many others, theneedy, our neighbors and fellow Christians, those who have virtually "nothing" by ourAmerican standards. IHiose who are so very pleased v/ith so little, so grateful to beremembered by an unknown friend so far away. If you could only see the smile and thetv/inkle in a childs eye when he or she opens a sack and sees something pleasing to them,(everything pleases) you v/ould feel well rewarded for your interest in helping theseless fortunate than you.

Baby clothes: Diapers, new and used, dresses,pants, receiving blankets (seersucker aswell as flannel). Clothes for 1 and 2 year olds, for both boys and girls.

Clothes for children of all ages; sweaters and jackets, we do not have enough coldweather.to merit extremely heavy clothes. GOOD clothes in all sizes. Childrens shoes.

Clothes for the Bowlin Children; Bob size I6, Oscor size 15 Katly size 12 and Mary size S.And don't forget sox, large "streachies" (both boys and girls) and und^wear i

Medical Supplies; Cotton, tape, iodine, merthiolate, soda-mint tablets, aspirin, vitamins,(pills ^d liquids) calcium, all medical samples that your Doctor v/ill give youandEqUIPMElrT too 1

Bedding; Sheets, (double, twin, and cot sizescrib sheets too) pillows and pillow cases,quilts, blankets, towels and wash clothes, dish towels, sleeping pads. Sleeping padscan be made from any heavy material, the good parts of v;ork pants, for instance,sewed together into a pad about UOxSO inches, filled with a worn cotton or wool blanket,quilted type padding--anythingto make a pad to put on the ground-where most of thepeople sleep. A sheet of plastic inside keeps the cold out.

Christmas in Summer; Balls, jacks, marbles, hair ribbons, combs, bobby pins, razors andblades for the students, note books pencils, ball point pens, spiral note books. Youwould be sunrised how thrilled &, kid ^s over a note book and a pencil for Christmas.

Sev/ing supplies; materials, thread (our thread here is especially poor) needles, pins,bias tape, rick-rack, even pieces of such. It is nothing to see a little girl v;itha dress made out of three or even four different pieces of material. Buttons too I

Vacation Bible School and Sunday School: Colored primary pictures, (WE CAWOH USEPRINTED "A'F'ER IN E^TGLISH). Flannelgraph figures and backgrounds, Crayolas, scissors,construction paper, paints.Plaster molds, in Soanish, or without letters, (Crayolasin boxes of S ploase", they go fartherless argument about "he got more than I did"These kids are "just kids" too.

Food: Cake mixes are just coming to Mexico at fabulous prices; dry fruit and cannedfruit are just for the "rich" and that doesn't include missionaries '. Dry food ofany sort, beans, rice, macaronis (particularly "Kraft Dinners"). Our kids thinkCanned soups are a treat, (How many Campbell's Vegetable soup would you by at 40 ^(american) a small can? ) Candy for Christmas sacks.

GARDBtl SB3D; Any and all kinds, we have several acres of tillable land, good soil foralmost any type of vegetables, and plenty of water. Flower seeds too, but thesefor our yards and the church yards,

TRAP'S TOOLS;(For seminary students and graduates to support themselves v/hile theyestablish churches.) Carpenter tools, auto mechanics tools, auto shop equipment,acetylene and electric welders, barber's tools, cameras and equipment, d^kroomequipment, cement and brick layers hand tools, electrical shop tools, also used(repairable)small electric appliances (for shop courses.)

All packages MUST be sent to our forwarding agent, P. 0, Box 1530 Nogales,Arizona, Anything that cannot go in an envelope cannot be sent to Mexico !We have to refuse packages sent to Mexico because of the enormous duty charged.We can Bring things into Mexice duty free by making local arnangements.

Trucking conpanies take "Charity" shipments from a church or a group to theMissioninquire locally. BUT be sure your copy of the waybill says "CHARITY"or we will have to pay the freight on arrival.

THAHK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND DON'T FORGET TO PRAY.

SmiMARY OF PAST 12 MONTHS A0TIVITI3S;(Sept. 1, i960 to Aug. 31, l96l)S3RVICIES

A. Services were held regularly "by mission workers or ministers partially supported by the mission in 7 axeas. Average attendance: Sunday School 30>Sunday Evening 25 adults,

B, Work was renewed in the state of Jalisco, 3rd state south, "by members of theNogales, Sonora, church.

D.V.B.S.Schools were held in all mission points and churches fellowshiping with theMission. Materials used were translation of Standard's "Heros of the Cross"printed by missionary Eugene liorgan. El Paso, Texas. Largest attendance reportedwas at La Mesa where about 100 children attended the final service.

SURVEY OP NEW FIELDA new field south of our present one was surveyed by Gerald Bowlin and AlejandroJulian, president of Mexican Bible Seminary, A large home is open for serviceWe pray for workers.

CHURCH CONSTRUCTIONA. A tax-paper chapel vras built by our smallest and newest Hermosillo congrega

tion with their own money. Average wage $ 1.25 (dollars) per day.B. Being built by the ^'ission in the Villa de Seris section of Hermosillo is a

two story brick building, first floor to be completed in l6l. To be usedJointly by the congregation and Mexican Bible Seminary.

C. Adobe building at La Mesa village was roofed in time for our Western MexicoChristian Convention in 1?60. Congregation is slowly doing the finish work.

MEXICAN BIBLE SEJUNARYA. Student body continues steady at 6 to 8 men per semester; students now are

those who have grown up in our Sunday Schools.B. In addition to chapel under construction (see Church Construction) a four

room brick men's dormitory unit is ready to be plastered.CLINIC

A. Mrs. Geneva Bowlin participated in the Health Department's city-wide poliovaccination campaign, in which an estimated 85^ of the children under 5 werevaccinated.

B. Back yard "Clinic" was held two afternoons a week, with approximately 2,000patients being treated.

C. Interior lots ha,ve been exchanged for a block on the Pan-American Highway attiie southern edge of the city. Change of administration in the State hasslowed plans for the clinic now being drawn by the Health Department Engineers.

NEEDS OF THE MISSION: Student sponsors at $30.00 (dollars) a month for students inMexican Bible Seminary. Pledged support (any amount) for Alejandro and Esther Julian.Alex is President of Mexican Bible Seminary, both are second generation Christians,actually missionaries to their own people, and spark-plugs of the work. Prayer for thework here, for each worker, Bowlin and Julian families, for each student, for the native"believers" and Christians. Medical supplies, san^jles and equipment.(To be sent toNogales, Arizona)

FUTURE:Goals for the vrork in Western Mexico are: more church buildings, more ministers,more church trained members, more converts, a more efficient benevolent program, in shorta fully functioning NATIVE MEXICAN church program. At present the work is being cariedon by natives except for the Bowlin Family. (ALL missionaries who have worked with theBowlins in their aprenticeship have cau^t the vision of a Christian ICSXICO and havegone on to open NEl'/ fields.) The Bowlins are often told " AFTER SIX YEARS LIVING V/ITHUS, YOU ARE NOW ONE OF US, YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THE?! ANYMORE J YOU WILL NEVER GO BACK UPTHEEE TO LIVE I"