Seeing a Ministry Up Close in Mexico City
Recently, our son Gilbert had the opportunity to travel to Mexico City, Mexico, alongside Bro. Micah McCurry, his family, and Bro. Cameron Weage. The purpose of the trip was to record a 4–5 minute ministry update video for missionary Bro. Kevin Wynne. While the filming project was the primary goal, the trip quickly turned into a firsthand look at a thriving ministry in one of the largest cities in the world.
Mexico City is fast-paced, crowded, and full of opportunity for Gospel outreach. Gilbert had heard about this ministry for years, but seeing it in person gave him a completely different understanding of the scale and organization required to reach such a large population.
Arrival in Mexico City and First Impressions
The team arrived on a Friday after a long day of travel. Instead of immediately diving into filming, they took time to experience part of the city. They went out to eat and visited a well-known flower market before heading back to the hotel to rest.
That first evening provided a helpful introduction to the culture and environment. Ministry trips often include tight schedules, but understanding the community and surroundings is an important part of preparing for effective outreach.
Saturday Outreach and VBS Ministry Filming
Saturday began with a visit to the church for their soul-winning and bus ministry meetings. One of the biggest impressions Gilbert noticed was the number of people involved in outreach. Volunteers, workers, and leaders were all coordinating efforts to reach families across the city.
After the meetings, the team waited for Missionary Kevin Wynne to finish another ministry appointment before traveling to a Vacation Bible School being held in a town about an hour outside Mexico City. The drive took longer than expected, and by the time they arrived, the VBS program was nearly finished. Even so, they were able to capture valuable footage that would later be used in the ministry update video.
After filming, they started heading back toward the hotel with plans to enjoy some authentic Mexican food. Both restaurants they planned to visit were completely full. Instead, they ended up eating at what Gilbert jokingly described as an “authentic Mexican Applebee’s.” While it was not the taco experience they expected, it became one of those memorable travel moments that makes ministry trips unique.
Inside One of Mexico City’s Largest Churches
Sunday was easily the busiest day of the entire trip. The church operates with two Sunday school hours and two Sunday morning services to accommodate the large number of attendees each week. Gilbert and the filming team captured multiple camera angles during the services to help create a well-rounded ministry video.
They also spent nearly an hour walking through the church building, visiting numerous classrooms during Sunday school times. Each room represented a different teaching opportunity, discipleship group, or ministry training session. Capturing footage from these classrooms helped demonstrate the full scope of the church’s outreach and educational programs.
After the second morning service, the team set up lighting and audio equipment to record an interview with Missionary Kevin Wynne. Filming ministry interviews requires careful planning to produce clear and professional video content that supporting churches can easily follow.
After lunch, they recorded the interview and later traveled to Missionary Tim Wynne’s home to rest before returning for the evening service. The evening service provided additional filming opportunities, and once everything was finished, the team finally made time to enjoy tacos after already spending two full days in Mexico.
Exploring Culture During a Mexico City Missions Trip
Monday through Thursday were spent sightseeing and learning more about the culture and history of Mexico City. These experiences helped Gilbert better understand the environment where ministry takes place.
Highlights of the week included visiting ancient pyramids, exploring the downtown area of Mexico City, and riding an elevator to the top of a skyscraper. Gilbert joked that climbing pyramids was much more enjoyable than standing on top of a skyscraper, especially since heights are not his favorite thing.
Cultural exposure plays an important role in ministry preparation. Understanding how people live, work, and communicate helps missionaries build relationships and connect more effectively when sharing the Gospel.
Returning Home and a Major Weather Shock
Friday morning arrived quickly. The team packed their equipment and headed to the airport. The flights back to Illinois went smoothly, but they encountered one final surprise when they landed.
They had just left temperatures ranging from about 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Mexico and returned to temperatures between -20 and 8 degrees Fahrenheit. One unique part of the trip was going from a warm climate to experiencing one of the coldest days of the year in Illinois.
Why Trips Like This Matter for Missions Training
Although the primary goal of the trip was to film a ministry update video, the experience provided much more. Trips like this help young ministry workers understand how large urban ministries operate, how outreach programs are organized, and how important teamwork is in missions work.
Gilbert returned home with a deeper appreciation for ministry logistics, video production, and the preparation required to communicate mission field needs to supporting churches. Experiences like this provide valuable training and help prepare the next generation of missionaries for long-term ministry around the world.
You have been given a wonderful opportunity to see God’s workings. I am sure God will use all this for your future. Thank you for sharing. We will continue to pray for you!