Mexico (MNN) — For the team at Radio Encuentro Internacional, prayer and gospel broadcasting are how they engage with deep societal and cultural challenges in Mexico.
A report from CSW in May 2026 presents a sobering picture of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Mexico. A combination of pressures from indigenous community leaders, organized criminal activity, and overall government silence has created a world where citizens endure systemic violations of religious freedom.
Alejandro and Nayeli Vieyra serve with Radio Encuentro, a partner of TWR in Mexico. Regarding religious freedom concerns, Nayeli explains that not only do some cartels demand payment to allow church gatherings to happen, but they are also known to disrupt services or vandalize tech equipment and sacred art.
Speaking through a translator, Alejandro says, “There is fear in the communities, so people don’t gather together at churches anymore because they are afraid [of] reprisals.”
Broken families leave young people vulnerable to gang recruitment. In recent years, dozens of church leaders who try to stand against the violence have been kidnapped or killed — including one pastor in southeast Mexico that the Vieyras knew personally.
“He was murdered because he wanted to rescue two young people from them,” says Alejandro.
Impunity with government officials allows chaos to continue unchecked. CSW reports, “Human rights defenders point out that authorities are quick to label attacks on and murders of religious leaders as ‘common crimes’ (often robberies gone wrong), rather than investigating the cases thoroughly.”
The Vieyras explain that in some cases, government officials are financially linked to organized criminal groups. They choose to look the other way when incidents occur.
Ciudad de México, CDMX, México (Photo courtesy of Noemí Jiménez via Pexels)
In the face of these national struggles, Radio Encuentro prays daily and works faithfully. They ask God to give strategic vision for their programs so that they preach salvation, invite restoration for families, and share hope with young people.
“One of the things that give strength to keep going is seeing how many people decide to have the reconciliation with the Lord after they are in jail,” says Alejandro.
Protection is needed. The Vieyras pray regularly that God will make their team invisible to people with wicked hearts. At the same time, Nayeli says she wants to develop evangelistic messages for gang members themselves.
“They also need to know Jesus. They also need to renounce the cycle of violence where they are,” she says through a translator.
Please stand with Radio Encuentro in the multilayered challenges of their ministry.
- Pray for God’s blessing and protection over gospel broadcasts in Mexico.
- Pray that authorities will allow Radio Encuentro to develop evangelistic messages for even members of gangs.
- Pray that God blesses listeners and brings life, restoration, and His love to both them and their families.
- Pray for encouragement and continued resilience under pressure for the team at Radio Encuentro.
Header photo: Ciudad de México, CDMX, México (Stock photo courtesy of Andres Segura via Pexels)
