THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Including:

flDeiican 38tble Scmtnari? IWcws

Spring, 1955

Nogales, Sonoro, Mexico

Vol. Vil, No. 2

MISSION PLANS MOVE TO INTERIOR SOON

BOWLIN APPLIES FOR
MEXICAN PASSPORT

0 NA ^

A few days before Easter,

1955, Missionary Gerald D.
Bowlin, made application to
Mexico City for permission to
immigrate to Mexico. As he met
all requirements set by the
Mexican government for appli
cation for immigrant visas, of
ficials and Mends alike feel it
'S'/aln

wicl only he a matter of time

(usually several months) before

Brother

Bowlin

becomes

the

first Christian missionary to

enter Mexico on a permanent
resident visa.

It is now planned that mis

sion headquarters shall he
moved to Hermosillo, capital
city of the state of Sonora, 175
miles south of the Mexico-USA

border city of Nogales, where

the mission is presently locat
ed. From the beginning both
missionaries and trustees have

been in agreement that the work

could be carried on much more

effectively if the mission were

located in the interior, near the

center of present activitiaa,

toward this end much time has

MORE PRISONERS ARE

BAPTIZED AT SONORA

been spent in prayer and in

vestigation by the Mission Dir

baptized at the Sonora State

rather than on the border, and

ector, Gerald D. Bowlin. How

ever, as most of our regular
readers are aware there is no

provision in the Mexican immigragion law for ''mission"

aries of religion" as sucn, ano

the only passport available to

date has been a temporary, six

month's tourist permit. Through

the help of friends an immigrant
category in the Mexican immi
gration law, under which it was
felt Bro. Bowlin could qualify,
SPRING SEMESTER
ENDS APRIL 29

The %ring Semester ended

April 29 at Mexican Bible Semary.

Classes were held on Mon

days as well as Tuesday thru

Friday this semester in order
to close early and have time
for church building construct

ion during the month of May.

In June, July and August the
young men will be preaching
(Pla Turn to Page 3)

Two

more

prisoners

were

Prison in Hermosillo, making a

total of six baptized this year.

Several others immersed by de
nominational missionaries fel

lowship with us. Bro. AngelPalomares,

student minister,

has asked that we appeal for

several sacks of cement (cost

ahout 81.25 each) to bring the

wall of the trough used as a

baptistry up two more feet to

facilitate later baptisms. The

prisoners will do the work.

The Mission recently offer
ed book bound Bibles (81.25

each) to all prisoners who leam

the Second Chapter of the Book
of Acts by Pentecost Sunday,
May 29.

RESTORATION PLEA TO
SONORA MTNS. BELIEVERS
NEAR CHIHAUAHUA BDR.
By Director Gerald D. Bowlin

As reported in the Mid-Wint

er, 1955 issue, a small group
of believers in the mountains

of Sonora requested a confer

ence on the Restoration Move

ment. On Feb. 5,

1955, the

Assistant Director of the Mis

sion, Alex Julian, an evangel

ist, and I left Hermosillo for

the village of Arivechi where
Bro. Miguel Harov, the man who
had contacted us, lives. The

high-wheeled

mission

buggy

(1952 Plymouth Suburban with

wpecial 18-inch wheels and

drag plate under the pan) made
the trip fine. We only drug bot

tom three times going on 185

miles over the worst roads I
have ever seen. Took us just

THE WATKINSONS ARE

ON THEIR WAY!
At the time this copy of the
"Christian" goes to press, the
Watkinsons are on their way

as driverworked all 12 of
them! Bro. Harov and his wife

home from a recent tour of the

ent evangelists: both Mexican

(Continued on Page 3, Col. 3)

(Continued on Page 3, Col. 3)

12 hours to make the trip and 1

(now

dead)

were

converted

many years ago by independ

i.v J i .

Page 2

OUR MISSION DIRECTOR AT

WORK

(As a rule not very much is

*k

said in this publication about

our Mission Founder and Direc

tor concerning his own duties

and activities. Perhaps to some
these

SvV.

interest.

Pictured above is the adobe,

or mud brick building now under

construction in Nogales, Mex
ico. Note baptistry at left. A
brick layer was, of necessity,
hired but Seminary teachers
and students are supplying as
much of the unskilled labor as
their other activities will al

low. Tho the membership is

composed mainly of women and
children, church members have

contributed as generously as
possible to the building fund.
of

the

women

activities

are

not

too

clear, therefore we feel that

the many friends of the Mission
will find this article of great

'

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION

One

washes

J.W.)

practiced in every organized

body.

Christ is the head of

the church. The minister is the

leader of the individual con

gregation which is controlled

by the elders who also have a

cnairrnan. Every business lias

its president or boss. Even
the larnily has its head. Even
so, a mission must have a di
rector or leador.

Bro. Gerald

Bowlin is that innn.

Brotiier

Bowlin

began the

establish

can dollars.

New Testament Pattern by

now with the in

churches

after

the

means of native Christianwork-

students in Mexican Bible Sem

inary as ministers and Christeachers,

but

also

tiie

work on the field. In an article

entitled

"Prof.

Julian Named

Vice-president,"Mexican Bible
Seminary News, April, 1953,
Bro. Bowlin wrote these words:

"We have long advocated the

yes the wisdom of
training Mexican Christians,
then gradually integrating them
propiety,

Published by The Western Mexico

into the mis sion work so that

Thrislian Mission (A

someday tiiey will be able to

Part Of The

Arizona Corporation. Mexican Bible

Seminaryl.
ISO.

Apartado

\oEJles,

Sonora.

Posta'

No.

Mexico,

an

independent, direct-supiwrt mis

sion. whose purpose is to preach
the Gospel and establish churches
after the

New Testament

Pattern

aloHK' the West Coast of Mexico.

espe<'ially
i Christian

by

means

workers,

of

t-aincd

native
under

j competent Christian teachers.

GKRALD D. BOWLIN, Editor

all those who are now teachers

at

Mexican

Bible

Seminary

wiiile teaching at Colegio Biblico, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Asst. Director Julian grad
uated from that school in 1950
and has labored with Brother
Bowlin since that time. Be
have a

voice

in the adminis

helped Brother Julian that he

might efficiently handle his
present job, that of director of
the Bible seminary itself. The
churches

and

students

are

to the Mission. However, Bro.

training of those who have al

ready graduated from another
Bible College in the more prac
tical aspects of guiding the

Christian

missionaries
to other
Latin American countries."
Brother Bowlin worked with

This means not only training

This means not only training
tain

The Western Mexico

send

Christian teachers.'

HEY, DON'T FORGET ME!

PLEASE DON'T FORGET ME!

operate its own e-

vangelistic program and even

proud to have one of their own

in cliarge and his help as a

ers, trained under competent

floor.

these if you like, but

someday

tration, he has worked with and

tinues until

bles* or 'Church Construction*.

workers so that the Church of

Christ in Western Mexico will

lieving that a native should

tent 'To preach the Gospel and

could be no Mission, therefore

no special funds such as 'Bi

missionary, I am now passing

along to my Mexican fellow

active charge since that time.

The Mission was begun and con

home and she earns 250 pesos

a month, or roughly 20 Ameri

lam the GENERAL FUND of

the Mission. Without me there

him, but .knew lie couldn't just

leani from your instructions, nor
could you do it for him, but lie iiad
to learn, by liis own experience.
That's the way I feel at times,
for all tiie skills I have acjuired
in everyday life, as cliihl, student,
fanner, factor)' worker, in tlie sem
inary. as a minister, an! in al
most 10 years on tiie Mexican

Mission in 1950 and has been in

Another is a cook in a Doctor's

Your missionaries appeal to

you in behalf of this new group
of Christians for the necessary
SlOO to put a roof on this
building; $50 to buy doors and
windows, and S25 to purchase
materials to pour a concrete

way' . . . you watched him do it,

not .quite right, wanted to do it fw

mission field as teacher and

Every organization must have

a head, a guiding hand, if it is
to operate with any efficiency
at all. This is scriptural and

clothes for a living, earning,

if she is fortunate, ten pesos
per day, or the equivalent of
80 cents in American money.

Help

Spring, 1955

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

manage the work of evange

lism in their own country."
( The following is a quote from
a

letter to one of the liowlin's

living-link cliurclies):
"I wonder if yon haven't letirned a few skills in your lifetime
that you in turn passed along to
others?

Thai

is.

explained

and

demonstrated
how
sometliing
sliould be done, tiien tiatl him try
it. only to find he didn't do it 'your

native born has been invaluable

Oowlin must still stand by to

help him with his many tasks

of

planning,

discipline, and

training.

We tell you these things about the Mission, its work and

policy so that you will under

stand the type of Christian
mission we operate; also that
it is continually expanding. In
the beginning there was only
the seminary and Brotiier Bow
lin did all the directing of act
ivities, taught classes, did
the bookkeeping, put out the
publicity and just about every
thing e^e there was to do.
Gradually we exparuied-^two
.self-trained native evan^lists
were brought to Brother Jlowlin and he tauglit them about
llie Ciiurch Revealed in tlie New

Testament; one young man

graduated after four years of
training;
Seminary students
were preaching. Result: church
es (people, not buildings) be
gan to spring up and these
needed advice and counsel on

how

to

proceed .Scripturally.

Spring, 1955
(Remember,

the Armed Services. I am con

fident that I could handle the

this was a new

field there were

no

'old'

operation of this equipment.

We had little response to

churches to serve as a pattern.)

More and more time was spent

this announcement in the Mid

in this phase of the work. Al

so, it was necessary for Broth
er Bowlin to increase the pub

winter issue. What do you

think about this printing press?
Let us hear from you so wc
may know how you feel. Write
to me, Jerry Watkinson, in care

licity in order that the funds

might someway keep pace with

the expansion on the field.

of the Mission.

In short, one cannot say that

(Piaos* Turn to Poga 6)

(Continuad from Poga 1, Col. 2)

the Directors work is 'such

and such*, for he does some of

everything. He teachesnol the

seminary students but the
teaches

and

other

mission

workers; He preacAesthrough
out all the mission field; tie
counsels; He does office work;
He does publicity workedit
the "Christian", materials for
publication in our national

papers, visit nearby churches;

He does benevolent workYieXps
with

the distribution of used

clothing and foods and medi

cine, takes charge of special

funds for benevolent purposes;

Does translationseveral Span

Bro.

VfatkiiiMon

setting

copy for the bulletin.

USED IN THIS ISSUE?
Does that title sound fam
iliar?
In the Mid-winter issue we

so faithful ill supporting them

in the past few months. Be
cause of your support, the

in Sao Francisco, to give you

I have talked with a number

churches and individuals

prtnttngduplication of student

who use this type of machine.

They are in unanimous and en
thusiastic agreement that the
obtaining of such a press for
mission printing would be a
very wise investment.

manuals, class schedules,

tracts, sermon outlines, etc.;

the people we have met who

can

and

Mexican; He does

He prays and plans-prays for

more workers and tries to plan
how we can reach all the plac

The first reaction of some of

were

not

familiar

with

the

machine was that that was an

with the Gospel when our

workers are already overburden

awful lot of money. In one

sense it is a lot of money, but
let us figure this out financial
ly. A rebuilt model of this

ed.

machine would cost us about

es who ask us to send workers

(The following is a quote

from Brother Bowlin):
"The future of this work is

411400.00. At the price we

used to pay for the bulletin
(and that was the smaller size

limited only by our finances

for the Mexican people have
undergone an educational rev
olution in the past few years
and many desire to at least
hear the Gospel. I believe with
all my heart that if we'Ameri-

ine would pay for itself in aboutfour years. The life of the
press is just about indefinate
as long as it is cared for. Does
that not seem like a good in

cans just prepare sufficient

native workers and help them

considered the great amount of

tracts, study materials, text

about 5x7 inches) this mach

vestment?

And

we

have not

get started that they will set

books, etc., that are so great

the West Coast of Mexico on

Christ in our

ly needed and could be print

ed in the native language for

generation."
Can you help us get the job

little more than the cost of the

paper.

fire

for

Jesus

done?

1havetakencare of the print

(ContiniMd Prm Peg* 1)

ing
ing. of
or several
severat issues of
oi ine
the

and the young ladies will hold

Daily Vacation Bible School.
Six regular and two special

"Cnristian" and have become

familiar with how it is done.

students are in attendance.

A sincere thanks is extend

ing introducing the need for a

Multigraph printing press. That
issue was printed on the Mod
el 1250 by Henry Moore who
works for the Multigraph Co.

of

funds, purchase of equipment

and supplies, business and pub
lic relations with various gov
ernment agenciesboth Ameri

much needed.

ed to all those who have been

disbursement

mission

June. As soon as the necessary

preparations can be made there
they will be on their way to the
field where they are so very

ran an article with this head

a sample of the type of work

the press will do.

all

Northwest. They have a few

speaking dates on the way
home expecting to arrive there
sometime in the latter half of

DO YOU LIKE PRINTING

ish text books, tracts, etc.;

He does maintenance work; He
manages a business: general
oversight of the receipt and
of

Page 3

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

I am a photographer and have

had this type of experience in

Watkinsons have been able to

raise nearly all of their living

link support in a very short
time. Now that they are ready
for service, they will be de

pending on you faithful sup

porters more than ever.
Some extra expense will be
incurred in moving to Mexico

for hauling furnishings, etc. If

you have intended making a
pledge or offering towards the
Watkinson's support, now would
be a very beneficial time to
send it.

The new forwarding address

of the Watkinsons is: Care of
the Mission, Apardo postal No.
150, Nogales. Sonora, Mexico.
(Continued from Page 1, Col. 1)
was discovered and thus appli
cation was made to Mexico City,
Brother Bowlin has applied
for the "pilot" passport; after
his application is approved,
others will perhaps be able to
qualify also. However, it is
planned that as soon as his
passport is issued the mission
staff will also move to Herm-

osillo,

the

other

Americans

traveling on tourist permits,

which have been thus employ

ed for a number of years by

other missionaries to Mexico.

It is felt that Bro. Bowlin, as a

permanent resident of Mexico,

will be able to protect his fel
low missionaries from the har-

rassment of unsympathetic of
ficials which has been so detri
mental to the work of other
missionaries to Mexico in the

past. "Brethren, pray for us."

Spring, 1955

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Page 4

er" (I Cor. 14:40). Also, God

warns us in II Cor. 11:13, 14y

(Continued from Page 1)

and
American
missionaries
worked in the area and he and

his wife helped them. They had

going congregations in all the
little villages roundabout,, then

15"For "such are false aposjles, deceitful workers, trans

forming themselves into the

ties he had to offer us (he i.s a

if his ministers also be tcer.

.shoemaker l?) trade). Also he

crie(3 bitterly after we went to

oi

))ay our respects to the bishop

of the penir rr sial churches in

rr. s <1!

that area. 1lie bishoj) rvas in)l

be according to their v.otks.

Each night during the prayer

couileousi tic was v.-ry angry

with Bio. I'larov and the local

formed

as

ininistc s

mean literally. They set up

their bishop in the largest town
and pastors in the more prom

righteousnes.s; whose

memoers fell in line but a few

didn't and even those who are

services the con^egatioh, and

especially the minister, would

py with the pentecostal doc

especially when he remarked

apostles of Christ, and no mar

took over the churches, and 1

in the churches aren't veiy hap

several times,

vel; for Satan himself is Irans-

formed into an angel of iiph;.

Therefore it i.s no gToa.' '."hii!;:-

ising villages. Most of the

cried

especially when he remarked

about the poor food (which was
really excellent) and facili

some of the workers left and a

pentecostal group moved in and

himhe

work themselves up omotioii-

ally to a fever pitcli, then the

and the Ioch! pentecostal past

or as he said no such meeting
sliouid have been held without

HIS

EXPRESS

PERMISSION!

trines and the despotical bish

minister would begin a line ?'i

1 fell sorry fo,-" Bro. Harov and

op. Bro. Harov meets with a

small group in Sehuadehuactlii
(try your tongue on that! VSeh-

gibberish: "Cree, crcc, ( .

told him so as wo were return-

cree, cr'.e. r.rcc: ciof-

'! i

'o:.', to his i.':'.;. B.c .said he

cienci;;.'

rniied

J idji I mind about himselfhe

was u.sed to such abuse; what

wah-deh-wah-chee") across the

river and a little north of Arivechi. He informed us that we

could hold services in one of

the homes as he did, but that

many of the members of the

pentecostal church would like
to hear the sermons on Christ

ian Unity and the Church Re

vealed in the Scriptures, but
would

not

come

to a

home

through fear of the minister.

This minister had even gone so
far as to strike one of the mem

bers in the mouth with a piece

of stovewood when the mem

ber disagreed with him!

Bro. Harov went to the min

ister and told him of our pro

posed conferences. Just what

else transpired I do not know,
but we were invited to hold our

conference in the pentecostal

chureh building. Personally 1
would much have preferred the

calm atmosphere of a friendly

home, but we were there as his

guests and I thought I could

take pentecostalism for four
nights. Frankly, I didn't know
what 1 was getting into! The

witii

!'<

ai-'ay-.

ii' i I (rvcieiu.eI, ml.'-r-

pretame Senor. (interpret it for

he hated was for us to hear any

me LonI)." 1lie last night of

one who claimc-l to be a Christ

thing with *Cree, cree, cree"

Ereaching 'services. Then he

our meeting he did the same

and "cien-, cien-, ciencia,"

then he started yelling at the

top of his lungs, "Ciencia,
ciencia; ciencia oculta; cien

cia antigua! (Science, science;

the occult science; the ancient
science!)" I about fell off my
chair, thinking to myself, "the
Old Devil finally betrayed him
self, for there is certainly noth

ing Christian about the Ancient,

ian talk that way about our

egan to sob so hard we had

to stop the car and pray with

him

before

he

could .control

himself! It had been a long

time since I had seen a grown

man cry. I wondered how many
American
over the
Christ or
has been

Ciiristians have cried

lost souls that need
because the church
defamed?

This group has asked for a

the Occult Sciences, fur even

those who practice Black Mag

minister.

ers to the Devil." Little won

we hope to hold a Daily Vaca

ic always attribute their pow

der that the natives were afraid of this "minister." As I

said previously, just like the

dark jungles.
In spite of all this disorder
and long hours of "testi
monies," we were able to preach
Christian Unity md the Church
for four nights. All of our mes
sages were well received. The
small group which Bro. Harov

All here in Western

Mexico are
someday.
tion

busy. Perhaps
In the meantime

Bible School

there this

summer and keep in contact

with Bro. Harov.

He and the

group there request your pray

ers.

DVBS TEACHERS ARE

NEEDING HELP

Eight Daily Vacation Bible

Schools are planned for Son

cares for were thrilled almost

ora

just did the

beyond words to know there

were others who wished only

Professor Elva Garcia and a

holler, holy roller" meetings

they were too! I don't believe

to follow God's Word. Several

minister

vices

conducted

and

we

the

ser

preaching. What "shout and

there is anything more primi

tive in the heart of the jungle

than we saw in the mountains

of

Sonora.

When

watched

pentecostalism in the raw 1

sooQ. saw why it has been com
pared to

voodooism as both

work on the emotions and I be

lieve are of the Devil. There

are to my knowledge only two

sources of spiritual power,
God and the Devil, and I could

not see how these things were

of God for certainly they were
not d.ijic "decently iind in ord

members

of

the pentecostal

church, whom we did not know,

came to Bro. Alex Julian and

told him how much they en

joyed the sermons and that

they would like to leave pente
costalism as "they put such
heavy burdens on the members
that they just couldn't bear
them."

Brother Harov is a very sen

sitive man, and after years of
being alone and without out
side fellowship with "brethreu
of like precious faith," our
visit was just too much for

this

summer.

Seminary

girl student will make up one

team and two more advanced

students will compose the oth

er team so that schools can be

held simultaneously
places.

in

two

Miss Garcia receives a sal

ary from the Mission, but we

must give the girls about $5
per week allowance for food
and travel. Each school also

requires the expenditure of S5

to 810 depending on its size,
for pupils' work books, sup
plies, such as crayolas, scis
sors, Kool aid, ice, and sugar.
Registration for the first two
schools wid be held June 19.

Spring, 1955

Page 5

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

WATKINSONS PLAN TO

in Mexico!

You might add two

ciphers

that

BE ON FIELD IN JULY,

wouldn't buy the majority of

the money on lianil to complete

the Hanchito Church building
in time for the Western Mexico

"Greetings, brethren in the

of

Ctirist

Jesus,

finristian Convention, August

16-1-9, 19.55,

our

Lord.

We write to say many thanks

to all the wonderful churches
we have visited on our travels

Home where
Now Meets

Kancniiu Cuurcn

Director Bowlin and Mother

in the Northwest. We have en

joyed a fine fellowship with

you our Christian brethren and
are indeed tliankful to you for
your help that we may soon be
able to go to the mission field.
Our pledges are still coming
in. Living-link support for one
of the children plus several
small pledges have come in
since

the

last

bulletin

of these people but also often

times affords an opportunity to
reach these people for Christ.
If you would like to help and
you live in one of these areas,
you can now take advantage of
the free freight arrangements
which Bro. Walkinson has been

be able to come to the field.

already have booked tiiruugh

Brick Building Under Con

struction By Hanchito Church

May and by that time we are

praying that the Lord will have

JULIAN AIDS HERMOSILLO

provided the means that we may

go to Mexico to work wilii the

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION

Bowlins in this field where the

Gospel of Christ is so badly

needed.

are

also

thankful

to

those many cliurches in the a-

reas wiiere
who

have

food

and

we have spoken
seen

the

clothing

need

for

for

these

needy neighbors and have done

their part by collecting and
sending used clothing, shoes,
and

foodstuffs.

.Several

tons

have been shipped since we

left home in November, 1954.
A

little over

ton

was sent

at one time by a San Jose,

California "congregation. These
tilings are indeed a blessing
to those in need and also pro
vide a contact to preach the

the Gospel to many who could

not otherwise be reached.

"Again we say thanks to

all those who have had a part
in

this

mission

work,

eiliier

financially, with foo<i and cloth

ing, or by prayer. May the Lord

truly bless and keep you in Ills

service."

Yours in Christ,
THC WATklN.SON.S
Address for Letters Only:
The Western Mexico Christian

Apdo. Postal 150

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

(Postage to Mexico is the'same a.s

in U.S A.3c Regular; 6c Air Mailt

been assisting with the work

in Mexico by sending used

clotliing which is helpful not

was

Our plans now are to complete

our sneaking dates which we

TRUCK LINES CONTINUE

FREE FREIGHT SERVICE
.Many of tiie churches have

only in relieving liie dire needs

published. Now only about 850

per month is needed for us to

"We

it still

Bro. Julian hopes to have

o letter sent to

Nogales by flrotber Jerry Wotklnson for publication In this issue.):

name

and

the buildings we meet in in

this country.

THE LORD WILLING

(There follows

to

Assistant Director of the

Mission, Alex Julian, is at

present engaged in directing

the construction of the Nogal
es church building (see the
picture on another page). As
soon as this building is completeil he plans completion of
the Hanchito church building
in

llermosillo.

Its

brick con-

slruction is ijuite in contrast

to the home, average for the

neighborhood (see pictures)
where services are being held
ai present. Construction is

progressing slowly.
With an average wage of 12.
to 18 pesos per day ($1.00 to"
S1.50 American money), large
families, and high food prices,
it is easy to sec why the Mis
sion of necessity has solicit
ed,

and

fortunate enough to make with

several of the freight lines.
For the higiiway 99 north
area: pack, tie, and take boxes
or barrels to the Los Angeles
Seattle Motor Fxpress depot
nearest yovi, tell the agent
wliat llie things are to be used
for (mission ciiarily purjioses),
and ask for free hauling. Ad
dress shipment: Western Mex
ico

Christian

1530,

Nogales,

L.A.-S.M.L.

to

Mission,

Box

Arizona, via
L. A.Western

Truck Lines to Nogales.

For those served by the Con

solidated Freiglitways: lake
things to their nearest depot
and make an application for
hauling, ( riiis may take sever
al days to clear.) When the
okay comes through from llieir
head office, send the shipment
addressed as follows: Western

Mexico Christian Mission, Box

1530, Nogales, Arizona, via

Consolidated Freightways to
L.A., Western Truck Lines to

Nogales.

continues to solicit

help from brethren in the Unit

ed Stales to erect church build

ings in Western Mexico.

Approximately 4,000 Mexi

can pesos are needed to pur

chase the material to complete
construction. This is equiv
alent to 4,000 dollars in the

United States, BUT at the pre

sent rate of exchange, 320
American dollars will buy 4,000
Mexican pesos!
Think of it, brethern! S320.

will build a complete church

Sonora

.Slate

Hrison

Admin

istration Building ami \ isilors'

Lnlrance.

j..ige.)

(.Sec \rtii ie <m i-cvu

Spring, 1955

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Page 6

DO YOU LIKE THE PRINTING OF THIS ISSUE?

(Continued from Page 3)

Visit A Foreign Mission Field

This Summer

WESTERN MEXICO

MTWOfOLOMmiO

CHRISTIAN CONVENTION

August 16-19, 1955

St. Jolint Cl'''''rtian

(180 miles south of Nogales,

Arizona, on a paved highway)
*******

. sjJhtmti, MAOOSUtT

iUj 16, 1966

men.

All Services ^Bilingual:

Spanish English
Mr* Jorry Wfttidttten

*******

Ttf (fottern Mnloo Chriatttn

ipdo. Postnl 160

Air-Conditioned Hotel and Mo

HoroIos, Aritoa*

tel Rooms Available by Reser

Door Ur* Watkioeon,

vation. Write;

GERALD D. BOWLIN, Dir.

W. Mexico Christian Mission

Apdo. 150,
Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

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 lino
of printing and rapair work* lot baing at all naohanieally aindad,
it haa baan quit# a taak at tlsaat hoaoTar, I an oonfidaat now
that 1 haaa naatarad that part of tha naehina* And If 1 oan do
that, aoyoaa can, ballaaa sal

lha Mttltillth la, of oonraa, a caehlna daslgnoA for a parti

cular typa and kind of printing*

Wa hara had axcaptlonal cneoaaa

(eonaldaring our laok of azparianoa and ksowladga about it to

begin with) in getting outatanding raaulta on OTorything froo

Orin H. Hardenbroolc
Representing:
THE WESTERN CHRISTIAN
MISSION
in the Intermountain Area
***************

Colored SlidesLate News air

mailed direct from the field.
***************

Write or contact:
ORIN H. HARDENBROOK
c/o Eastside Church of Christ

BBall onvoiopaa to ttia largaat ahaata of paper tha snohina will

take .and hare aueeaaafully dona two ax)d three oolor work* Wa hawa
found that natal plataa are aaaiar to handle and gira batter ra
aulta 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 that
wa aawad enough on printing ooata in the firat aiz caontha that wa

bad tha oachina to pay for tha coat of it* Wa qppraoiata Ita waraatllity and tha wariaty of work wa can do with it*

X hope thia la helpful to you* Xf you hawa any quaationa or

other faoata you want corarad, X proaiaai to write iModiataly upon
raoaipt of a lattarl

Xa Hia ^ad aarrioa.

m pmA mt mnthm t

E. 10th & Troy

Rural Airoort Sta.

Pueblo, Colorado
The Western Mexico Christian

Apdo. Postal 130 (Independencia 1.89 Int.)

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

U.S. POSTMASTER FORM 3547 REQUESTED

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN
P.O. Box 1530

Nogales, Arizona

Bnoloaad ara

aoaa aasplaa of dlffaront joba wa hawa dona*

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Including::

noexican

Seminary IRews

Nog:ales, Sonera, Mexico

Vol. VIINo. 3 & 4

S. & Pall 1955

Mexico^ Here We Come!

BOWLIN RECEIVES
MEXICAN PASSPORT
AN

ANSWER

TO

PRAYER We

How You Can Help

PRAYERPlea.so

continue to

pray

for us as we move to the interior of

prai.se God that in late October I wa.s

Mexico.

is.sue(l a Mexican immigrant passfX)rt.

When after years of prayer and work
I finally held that precious document
in my hand it seemed as though I were
in a dream, Truly it Ls a prayer vic
tory, for what was thought impossible
by men. God made possible in His own

FUNDSFew general appeals for

funds have been made by your mkssion
staff in the past, but now that we have
a time limit on our op>erations we must
ask youi- help. We are on the verge of
a great victory for Christ and His
Church in Western Mexico, yet our
General Fund offerings have fallen off
during these last few months to such
a place that we are about one month
behind on all our expenses, including
salary to our native workers. Brethren,
these things ought not to be.
Our
workers must pay their grocery bills
and we must pay all mission bills be

time.

fore we leave Nogales. We need your

help immediately.
We urge you to
send an offering; make it as generous
as possible and send it todaytomorrow
may be too late to help us win this
victory.
SAME

ADDRESS Until

notified,

please use our old addre.ss as shown

below.

Mission Director Gerald D. Bowlin

Mailing Address:

Holding Mexican Passport

WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

MISSION

MUST BE IN MEXICO BY NOV. 21.

1955As I must register in Mexico be

fore Nov. 21, 1955 to fulfill requirements

of my passport, we are in the midst of
a mad rush trying to get all the neces
sary arrangements made.

As this is

written we

journey to

are ready to

Apartado Po.stal No. 150

NOGALES. SONORA. MEXICO

(Postage to Mexico is the same as

In U.S.A.3c Regular; Gc Air Mail)

Christmas Gifts

Hermosillo to seek the house the Lord

has for us there.

Christmas is Just around the corner.

MISSION

PERSONNEL

PLAN

TO

MOVE LATERIt is planned that the

other missionaries, the Jerry Watkin.sons and Miss Lorene M.irtin, employ
ing t) mo. tourist permits, shall follow
the Bowlin family to Hermosillo a.s soon
as housing is available. The personnel
of Mexican Bible Seminary will move
at the close of the fall semester.

Please send your small toys for chil

dren's

(.'hristmas

Post address:

sacks

now.

Parcel

Box 1530, Nogales, Ariz.

NEEDEDBICYCLES
FOR OUR NATIVE EVANGELISTS

Even this inexpensive form of trans

portation is a big help In isolated posts.

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Page 2

S. &c Fall 1955

most inspiring they had ever attended

in any language.

Perhaps this convention wouldn't

measure up exactly to some in regards
to the beautiful convention halls where

they are held. Pictured at left below is

the "ramada" constructed by the host
church at Hermosillo.

As you can see, it is a leanto con

struction covered with coiTugated tar

paper.

Convention Audience

'55 Mexican West

Coast Convention

Occasionally the neighborhood

chickens or dogs would wander in to

listen and there was always plenty of
air. As I said, this convention didn't
have a lot in physical attraction but
.spiritually it was way up in front!
Although not overly spacious, on the
closing night there were approximately
one hundred adults under the roof and

another hundred standing in the sha

dows. being afraid to come in because of

Held In Hermosillo
IT'S CONVENTION TIMEWe are

speaking of the Western Mexico Chris

tian Convention. Just a few weeks ago,
Augast 16-19 to he exact, it was "Con
vention Time" for all the congregations
of the Church of Christ on the Western
Coast of Mexico and the words of this

song were heard in botli Sp.inish and

t::--

English.

Although the convention was lield in

Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, some 180
miles south of the border, there were
several visitors from the states. They

were Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Peterson of

Phoenix, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hoff of
Soutli Gate, Calif., and Paul Rathbern,

Convention President Gutierrez

visiting from Colegio Biblico.

Mes.sages were brought by Bro. Peter
son and by Bro. Hoff. Bro. Rathbern

possible persecution from the Catholic

aided in the translation. All agreed

that the convention was one of the

chui'ch.

Bro. Andres Gutierrez, teacher at the

Seminary and minister at Benjamin
Hill, had the opening addre.ss. This
man is really a preacher!
Even though some of the quality and
originality is lost through translation
to those who do not speak Spanish, the
American visitors still thought his
message was very good. The theme of
the program was "The Church of
Christ Ls Not a
Denomination Be
cause". The New Testament Church

is quite new to these people and much

teaching is needed.

Brush Arbor "Ramada"

In addition to the preaching by Bro.

Andres, messages were brought by Bro.
Alejandro Julian. Director of Mexican
Bible Seminary: by Bro. Watkinson,
missionary; by Bro. Hoff; and by Bro.
Peterson, Bro, Gerald Bowlin. Director

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

S. & Fall 1955

of the Mission,

and Paul Rathbem

translated.

This Andres Gutierrez fellow is quite

When it comes time for the
special music he picks up the guitar
and accompanies the little portable
organ, which, by the way, was donated
to the mission by Oren Hardenbrook,
Pueblo, Colorado. It's surprising the
amount of music that they can get out
versatile.

of these two instruments.

The man playing the organ is Samuel

Pierro, a musician formerly with Mex
ico's largest circus.
Not only was the music gcod but some

ordination Service

of our churches in the U.S. could take

some tips in the singing as well.

Per

haps it is well that there were no walls

siding at the presentation of the offi

in the building!

cers for

One of the highlights of the conven

tion was when the host chimch, the

Ranchito congregation in Hermo.silio,

the

1956 convention.

From

right to left they are Alejandro Julian,

president: Epifanio Gutierrez, vice
president: Esther Julian secretary: and
Bro. Guerrero, treasurer.

Considering that this New Testament

work has been here only a little over

five years, we think that these people

are doing remarkably well. Please pray
for the mission that there might be as
much progress in the next five years!
And. incidentally, maybe you would like
to back those prayers with some dollar's
to make .sure they come true.

11 More Victories For

Christ In Mexico
Since this issue was set up about two

Special Music
held the ordination services for Epifanio
Gutierrez, the first graduated student

of Mexican Bible Seminary. Bro. Guti

errez graduated in Dec., 1953, and has
been a hard working native evangelist

weeks ago there have been eleven more

baptisms. Bro. Alex Julian reports nine
in the Nogales congregation and Bro.
Epifanio Gutierrez sent word of two
more baptisms in his work near Hermosillo.

The Lord continues to bless

this work.

Please pray for us!

with the mission .since he finished his

schooling.
We are indeed proud of him and hope
that before long we have some more
just like him. You can take pride in
him, too. if you have had a part in the
work of the mls.slon through your .sup
port.
These people are neither slack nor
backward

in

their woi-k.

The entire

convention was planned and carried out

by the native churches and workers.
They decided on the theme, chose the
speakers, built the building and selected
their own officers.

Here we .see Bro. Andres Gutierrez,

President for the 1955 convention, pre

Officers. 1956 Convention

Page_.4^.

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRIS

THE WATKINSONS
"FIELD NEW fN BRI
BAPTISMSApproximately 40 bap
ARE ON THE FIElA tisms
have been reported to date as
Off t!^*^ld at Nogales
and are rejoicing in the Lord that we
can work here with this Mexican Mis

sion where there is so much opportunity

to serve him.

We

ai-rived

on

the

field

early

in

August, in time to help with the Wes

tern Mexico

I Hermosillo.

Christian Convention

Immediately

after

in

the

i convention we began om* search for a

place to live.

compared with 14 for 1954.

a 104 year old woman.

One was

CHURCH BUILDINGSThe Nogales

building Ls being roofed.
Benjamin
Hill plans a small chapel. The Ranchito
work is slow due to lack of funds to

complete walls.
Some progre.ss in
plans for other buildings.
DVBSSeven successful schools were
held in Sonora.

The Lord supplied our

MEXICAN

BIBLE

SEMINARY

every need.

Seven eager students registered for the

, We are now quite busy with work for

fall semester. Prof. Elva Garcia grnnted

at the Seminary while Deloris and I

are studying Spanish. Deloris is work

back to health.

|he Mission. I teach a class in English

ing on flannel-graph for the youngsters
^Anyone have some extra materials or
an easel?). Together we try to keep

u|> on the correspondence. I am helping

with the construction of the Nogales,

leave

of absence to

nurse

molhei'

OLD HENRYSurplus military Ford

truck. Hauled furniture to field for
Watkinsons.
Dirt, gravel and adobe

for church buildings.

and something to

Needs doctoring
"eat." Specify.

"Truck Fund."

Sbnora, church building by using the

ttfuck I brought to haul dirt, gravel,
adobe, etc. We try to keep enough
pictures ahead to have some to send

The Western Mexico

to those who are interested. I told my

cp-workers the other day that 1 wished

Published by The Western Mexico

I^were triplets!

Christian
Cliristian Mission

(A Part Of The

Arizona Corporation, Mexican Bible

afe faithful and will continue to stand

Seminary), Apartido Postal No. 150,

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, an inde
pendent, direct - support mission,
whose purpose Is to preach the
Gospel and establish churches after

Ijfehind us as we move on down into

Mexico. Please remember that we all

the New Testament Pattern along

the We.st Coast of Mexico, especially

will have extra expenses in moving and

by means of native Christian work

it will be necessary to stock up on a

ers, trained under competent Chris

-.We want to thank all who have

helped us to realize our goal to work
with the Mexican people where there

i.%so great a need. We know that you

ifumber of things, especially for the

children.

tian teachers.

GERALD D. BOWLIN, Editor

The Western Mexico Christian

^pdo. Postal 150 (Independencia 189 Int.)
t

NOGALES. SONORA, MEXICO

U.S. PostmasterForm 3547 Requ

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN
P. O. Box 1530

NOGALES, ARIZONA

THE WESTERN

MEXICO CHRISTIAN
Includlnf:

flDeilcan ffilble Seminar? Views

Vol. VIII, Ko. 1

Mtd-Wifii,, IM5-56

kJi)

The Jerry D. Katkinson Family

The Gerald D. Bowlin Family

MISSIONARIES NOW

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

By Gerald D. Bowlin

LIVING IN MEXICO
On Friday, Hovenber 18, 1955,
the Gerald D. Bowlin family moved
"lock, stock and barrel" to their
nen

borne

Mexico.
Dkost of

in

Bermosillo,

They also

Sonora,

took with them

the office files

and some

of the equipment. As no other funds

were available, they borrowed from
their living-link funds to make the
move.

Thank God this has been re

paid and some has come in to help

with the moving expenses of the
other missionaries and native workn-ontlnucd on Pase 2)

Kith this bulletin the Gerald D.

Bowlins, founders of Hestern Mexico

Christian Mission, complete a full
term of

missionary service in this

field:
Five years of service and
a "furlough yeai" spent on the field
doing "business as usual" due to
lack of sufficient experienced mis

sionary personnel
to take over
their work.
flith thanksgiving in
our hearts for God* s rich blessing
and constant guidance we present to
you a resume of some of the accom
plishments of the past six years
and our bopes and prayers for the
future.

(Continued on Page 4)

iHi a a H BKKMt(-?!-lt4i^;frBHHH(4t41

NEW ADDRESS FOR LETTERS

and Missionaries to:

i Address all letters for Mission |

i WESTERN MEnCO CHRIvSTIflK MISSION|

I
Apdo. 550
I

% Rerraoslllo, Sonora, Mexico

HMHHBKHKH
T
^ packages should continue to be
^ sent to our forwarding address:

^
|
x
S

Uiss Lorene Martin

Box 1530

Nogales, Arizona
IIKKMIIBBgr

^crru (HT^rtstmas mi JTappu, prosperous ^ ^

'^ear to JVII ^'ricu^6 of ^exico

Mid-Wintor 1955-56

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

On the ^ay to Hermosillo

THE MISSION DIRECTOR'S

COLUMN
By Gerald D. Bowlin

My heart's desire
been

to live

for years has

in Mexico

and

once

again in my life God has honored

His promise found in Psalm 37:4
"Delight thyself also .in the Lord
and He shall give thee the desires
of thine heart,"
for we now live
in Hermosillo, state of Sonora, re
public of Mexico.
Man said

it was

impossible

to

obtain a permanent Mexican passport

(No provision in the Mexican imiaigration laws for "missionaries of
religion"), yet I am now the proud
possessor of one which allows me to
lire and labor for Christ in Mexico.

All our friends and acquaintances

in Hermosillo told us "there are no
houses for rent in fierniosillo."
One American businessman told me 'of'

staying

18 months in a motel cabin

before be fotind a bousel

let, when

Reina Flores C.

MEXICAN BIBLE SEMINARY

GRADUATION
Friday evening, December 2, 1955
marked another milestone in the his

tory of Mexican Bible Seminary when

a second young woman received her
"Pastor's Assistant Certificate."
The exercises

beautiful

ourselves,

but first

the tatkinsons

and just three blocks apart

same street.

"Kith

men

as well

on the
this

Seminary

Sonora;

her

words

of

of Christ;

and the inspiring sermon of the

evening.
May her life in His ser
vice be long and firuitful.

liveable.

plumbir.g for

of the

the shining face of

dedication to the cause

house with
to one for

in the

tile gr^uate, Reina Flores 0., of

Bacobao^io,

windows,

indoor

voices

mixed quartet;

my passport was ready a bouse was

also ready.
In fact, the Lord lea
us, by His people, to not only a
electricity and

were held

Nogules, Sonora church building,

and though the night was bitter
cold and the building unheated,
still our hearts were warmed by the

iimiiiiiK)!iiwiiiiiiKmi.

but

that

the

house

is

As this issue goes to press the

Jerry HHatkinson family are ready
ing their truck and small house

ie

trailer for the move to Hermosillo.

inpossible; but with God all things

ere possible."
God bless you all during this

Miss Lorene Martin hopes to move

by the end of the year.
She very
graciously agreed to be the last
missionary to move to Hermosillo in
order that we might have the use of
her home for the preparation of the

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

ers.

ful.
have

several hundred Christmas sacks for

The trip itself was unevent

They report that

blankets

over

they still

some

of

the

the Mexican Bible School pupils.

Native workers are also preparing
to move.

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

Church Building, Nogales, Son

CHURCH BLDG. REPORT

Our
Urs. Rojelina Gamez

NURSE BOWLIN BUSY

SickneBS

is

no

respecter

oi

country, race, creed or colorj but

where there is poverty, ignorance
and unsanitary living conditions
such as those prevalent in Catholic
dominated countries such as Mexico,
sickness abounds.

Just before the Bowlins left for

Mexico a shipment of sai^le medi

cines was providentially received
from the St.John's Christian Church

of Portland, Oregon and-Bdrs. Geneva

bowlin packed them in with her ora
household goods.
She reports that
there were so many church members
i l l when she

that

arrived in KermosiUo

as soon

Bowlin had

as she

and

Brother

a path cleared

through

their house

they spent a day and a

half sorting the medicine, then she
began treating the sick:
Ear in
fection; rheumatism;
bronchitis;
anemias; and miscellaneous cuts and
abrasions.

Goal in 1955

was five

new

church and chapel buildings.

To
date we have in spite of many dif
ficulties, including lack of funds,
been

able

to

place

two

in use.

Others are in various stages, rang

ing from

negotiations for

lots to

work on the walls.

Shown

above

is

the

Hogales,

Sonora building which is already in

use in spite of the fact that floor,

ceiling and plaster are lacking.
Already over a dozen persons have
been baptized in its' baptistry,
some even

before the roof

This buiiding
from the

was on.

was begun with funds

Emmett G. Wilder Memorial

rund, Christian Church,Casa Grande,

Arizona.
Money was loaned to the

church by the idssion,

as the congregation

and as soon

is financially

able, they will begin repaying

loan

in

small

monthly

this

payments.

These payments, along with others,

will go into a revolving church
building loan fund to help other
congregations in Weetem Mexico.

All these were treated

during the first week in Mexico!

Then "to top it all off" she
brought ti:e young woman pictured
above (a sister-in-law of Evange
list Epifanio Gutierrez) from a two
room, dirt-floor adobe house into
her own home

where she and a Mexi

can midwife delivered Urs. Gamez of

a fine baby
six pounds.
Mrs. Bowlin

cfaxircbes not

girl

weighing about

requests

only send

(ConUnued on'Pnge 4)

that

the

medicines,

Villa de Seris, Hermosillo, Eon.

Pogo 4

1956FUTURE 1960

PAST, PRESENT, FUTDHE

PREACHERS;

(ContiiHMd PfMi Po9 1)

1950PAST, PRESENT1955

PREACHERS; 1950, one; 1955, five

plus Seminazy students.
CONGREGATIONS: 1950, one regxilar;
1955, five plus five preaching
points.

BAPTISMS; 1950, few reported; 1955,

sixty to December 1.
CHURCH BOIUttNGSt 1950^ none; 1955,
one coa^leted, one almost coiopleted; one under construction^

two te^orary buildings complet

ed, one lot being fenced,

three

lots 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 aid
and 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

Mogaxes, Arizona),
also send

Mid-Winter 1955-56

THE WESTERN MEXICO CHRISTIAN

(Box

1530,

but that they

some money to buy

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;
thereafter
have loan fund sufficient to help
build one each year.
SEMEBARY;

Increase our enrollment

to 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 Hermo

siUo and build at least Seminary

classrooms and Mission office.
MOVING FUNDS STILL NEEDED

Many of you have already res

ponded to our appeal for moving
funds and we are grateful.
Some'
are still to be heard from.
Your
missionaries
and native workers

step out on fa).th.

Please send your contribution
today
use the envelope we sent
you
just cross out the "150" and
"Nogales" and replace with "350"

and "Heriy)8illo."

medi

PLEDGE FOBMS

cines not found in the 8aiiq)le8,

bendages and to pay
occasional

Please let us have your pledge

forms as soon as possible that we

laboratory and X-ray fees

nay cooqplete our file.

Geneva Bnwlin,

Apdo.

350,

(Mrs.
Hermo

siUo, Sonora, Mexico).

The Western Mexico Christian
AiKla. Pu.tai ISO (lodepeodcncia 189 IbI.I
NIKIMKN. SANOIM. MCXlCO

IJ..S. PostansterFonn 3547 Requested

TIIF. WCSTRKN MEXICO CHKfSTfAN
P. O. am ISM

NOOALRS, AKIZONA

to those

theirs).

who have

(Our thanks

already

mailed