Rallying for Reynosa, Pelahatchie ministers in Mexico

By Susie A. Wolfe

Reynosa, Mexico is just across the border from McAllen, Texas. A team of concerned Christians, led by Aubrey Pridgen and Scott Walters, with the non-profit All Things New have been driving the 800-mile, 15-hour trip every year. The trips became more frequent as the needs grew. Groups would go twice a year, and now, they travel every other month on average to minister to poor, desolate people in the Senda Church compound, run by Pastor Hector Silva Luna.

“Angels from heaven” is what Silva calls these Reynosa teams that gather donated items to take to the people in the camp, pray, and be God’s hands and feet.

“God is working through these people to meet needs and change lives, “Silva said. “Many of the workers have seen God work with the people they are ministering to.”

90% of the groups that go on mission trips to help the sick and needy in Reynosa are from Rankin and Scott counties. Many churches like Pelahatchie’s Crossroads Baptist, Pelahatchie Baptist, and Rehobeth Baptist have sent groups to build churches, schools, kitchens, houses, apartments, and dorms. Many businesses, like Born Again Roofing and Jack-Knifed Trailer Repair in Richland, also provide supplies to help with various building projects to minister to the people of Reynosa. 

Mike Thornton of Crossroads Baptist Church recently returned from a trip to Reynosa. He has been traveling there an average of once a year since 2013. “In the Senda Church, we not only build, we provide outreach and evangelism, sports camps, and children’s Bible schools,” Thortan said, “We pray and miracles happen.” 

The most important objective of the trips is sharing the gospel. Silva believes God will provide for the 30 to 5,000 people from many countries that come to the Senda Church for food, shelter, medical supplies, etc. While they don’t accept clothes, according to Walters, they do need food, hygiene items, medicine, toys, purses, eye glasses and many more items listed in the printed list.

A few of the Pelahatchie Reynosa alumni group include Clay Kendrick, Pelahatchie policeman; Ryan Smith, who worked at NAPA; Walter Hudson of The Service Station; Coach Ryan Keeton, Pelahatchie HS head football coach; Brooke Rhodes, East Rankin ladies basketball coach; and Brian Hall, H & H Electrical.  

For more information, to donate or volunteer, contact Walters online at [email protected] or call 601-278- 4816.