Bethany Church Cancels Mission to Mexico

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

BETHANY, Oklahoma -- As spring break and summer approaches, a lot of churches are gearing up for mission trips. One place missionaries are paying close attention to is Mexico due to an increase in violence from drug cartels.

First Baptist Church in Bethany had planned a missionary trip to Mexico for the end of May, but now they have decided not to go.

"What really tipped us off was this last week is the fact they actually pushed their attacks to U.S. citizens and tourists and people like that," said Zac Workun with the First Baptist Church of Bethany.

The church planned to take a group of children to the Ciudad-Juarzez area across the Texas border, but that has become one of the hotbeds of violence.

"When we're taking 15 and 16-year-olds into an area, and we know it's dangerous, we really have to weigh and consider our options," Workrun said.

Sam Porter, the mission specialist with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said he's been getting calls for the past month on the situation in Mexico.

"With going to Mexico, it's really hostage situations, kidnappings. It's all over the drug deal and so I would just have extreme caution. That's what I tell pastors calling asking for advice on this today," Porter said.

Churches are free to make their own decisions whether to go, and it's a risk a lot churches are choosing not to take. The Baptist Convention said over the last four years, violence is to blame for the deaths of seven southern Baptist missionaries worldwide.

The purpose of any mission trip is to help people who often live in poverty. The church said that's the biggest regret they have about not going to Mexico.

First Baptist of Bethany was set to build a home for an impoverished family there, but it's a home the family will now have to wait for.

"The family suffers too because now because of political strife and political conflict, we don't get to provide them a house," Workrun said.

The group is going to Canada instead, with hopes to getting to Mexico next year.