Drug Cartels Threaten Ministry
Crossroad Bible Institute’s Cynthia Williams recently visited Juarez, the most dangerous, drug-riddled city in Mexico, to speak to seminary students who help prisoners.
Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., CBI is a prison ministry that is approved for support by the Christian Reformed Church.
Williams, a missionary with CBI, entered the unstable city of Juarez -- just across the border from El Paso, Texas -- on a day in which “there had been a mass shooting at the mall in Juarez and several people were killed,” she says.
Despite the violence, Williams says, she visited the city without reservation, putting her trust in the Lord.
The widespread violence stems from notorious drug cartels competing for control of the smuggling routes between Juarez and El Paso. Mexican authorities have failed to keep the violence at bay as conflict has led to the deaths of over 2,000 people already this year.
Williams visited the Seminario Todas Las Naciones (All Nations’ Seminary), just outside Juarez, where she met with seminarians correcting CBI Bible study lessons from Spanish-speaking prisoners.
Mainly, Williams visited to encourage the students and offer additional training. These students are impacted by the turmoil in Juarez as their friends and relatives fall victim to senseless acts of violence, says Williams.
“The students are studying the Bible and correcting inmate lessons in a very stressful situation,” says Williams. “Their experiences have made them even more empathetic to human tragedy, but they live with a heavy heart.”
Though violence enshrouds the region and seems to be closing in on the seminary, Williams experienced only one tense moment during her time in Juarez. While leaving the city via a remote area, the car she traveled in had a flat tire. As another car with some rough-looking characters pulled up alongside them, Williams thought, “I wonder how this will play out.” But, Williams explained, God watched out for her group: the men who stopped simply offered to help.
Despite the ongoing bloodshed and chaos in Juarez, hope glimmers in helping with the work going on at the seminary, says H. David Schuringa, president of CBI.
“This opportunity is invaluable for these seminarians as they prepare for church leadership, and we are grateful for their willingness to encourage prisoners even while their own city is in turmoil,” he says.
CBI is in its 25th year of operation. With over 40,000 students, Crossroad has eight international distribution sites with three more openings pending. CBI’s programs are provided at no cost to prisoners and their families. For more information on the ministry, go to CBI.
