The Bigger Picture

Keith and Jenny are based in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, near the Sea of Cortez about an hour south of the Arizona border.  Crossing Cultures International (CCI), a nonprofit organization based in Brandon, FL, appointed the Arnolds as its Northern Mexico area coordinators in September of 2016.  CCI partners with the Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP), which trains people to be leaders and pastors.

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Laying a foundation

The first year the Arnold family is in Mexico, they attended Spanish language school and received cultural training. Then, the goal is for Keith to lead workshops and seminars to teach the CCI curriculum to church members; help pastors start classes in their churches; and network with other churches in the region to offer training.  As of July 2018, CCI was overseeing 663 classes in 34 countries with 8,000 pastors and church leaders in training with 5,000 graduates.  Through the BTCP courses and other courses offered, they want to help the poverty-stricken people living in the region around Puerto Peñasco by acquainting them with the teachings of the Bible; building churches so they can worship; developing faith leaders among the local residents; and showing them how to grow spiritually. Said Keith: "They're hungry for knowledge and looking for hope."

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Finding their footing

Keith, Keith III, and Bianca made the initial trip to Mexico without Jen. But it was during the second trip to Puerto Peñasco with Jen that the seeds of change were planted.  The couple had been going through a rough patch, and after some reflection, Keith confessed he felt he was being called to the ministry full-time. To his astonishment, Jenny revealed she was, as well.

"Something good was happening to us," he recalled.

Keith said they chose to work through CCI, "because it has a good track record."

 

Putting it in perspective

Poverty in Puerto Peñasco means some residents live in houses made from pallets. Some have no running water or electricity. And some go without food for days.  Even so, as a community, they are generally content, Keith said. And they'll try to offer you what little they have.  Sharing the teachings of the Bible is just one way they want to help residents become self-sufficient. Another is by showing them how to grow their own food and using this to teach them biblical principles.