The Church of the Nazarene’s MAC North Field is composed solely of the country of Mexico. 

The history of the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico began in 1903 when people from the United States and members of the “Holiness Association” of Texas, settled in southern Mexico.  Under the direction of Samuel M. Stafford, they began to preach and teach the biblical doctrine of holiness.

Because of the movement of the Mexican Revolution from 1912 to 1919, all foreigners were driven out of the country. The missionaries who had settled in the south as well as those in the central area had to abandon the work they had begun.  The lay-people from each mission took responsibility for maintaining unity and continuing the work of the church. 

In October 1919, Dr. Vicente G. Santín (of Mexico) was named Superintendent of the Mexico Foreign Mission. From then on, national workers were sent to attend the missions and churches established in the southern and central part of the country.  In 1947 the Church was organized into three districts: North, Central and Southeast districts of Mexico.

There were two missionary movements which introduced the Church of the Nazarene to northern Mexico from across the border with the United States.  A movement emerged at the beginning of 1907, through Mrs. Santos Elisondo, a Mexican-American citizen, resident of El Paso, Texas who established a mission in this city with people who spoke Spanish.  Five years later, the work was officially organized.  At the same time, she passed to the Mexican side and founded a mission on the border in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.  Around the same time, the Church of the Nazarene in the Los Angeles, CA area began to reach Mexican workers who had settled in the U. S. through a ministry to reach the poor.  Through this effort, the Church crossed the Baja California border of Mexico.  In 1946, through the leadership of Dr. Ira L True, the Hispanic work was organized in both territories including the work established in Chihuahua.

Today, the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico has 14 districts, 616 churches and 39,778 voting members.

Of the 32 states which form the Mexican Republic, the Church of the Nazarene has formally established its ministry in all but two states of the Republic.  With 103.7 million inhabitants in Mexico, the Church of the Nazarene has a great challenge.  A Church facing great contrasts in huge cities and very remote places must be guided by the Holy Spirit to respond to God’s call.

Theological Institutions:

Mexican Nazarene Seminary, A. C., Mexico