“The blind can’t lead the blind.” That’s what Néstor García Enriquez told me the first time I met him in Oaxaca, Mexico, when I asked why he was studying with Academia Cristo.
A few years ago, Néstor began gathering three people for Bible study. That group has now grown to more than twenty and meets three times a week — on Wednesdays for prayer, Thursdays for Bible study, and Sundays for worship. Néstor has even converted half of his house into a chapel where they gather.
The group began after Néstor left a congregation that was not centered on the truths of God’s Word. Yet he did not take responsibility of leading the group lightly. At first, he asked others to serve as pastors. He was willing to organize the gatherings and provide a place to meet, but preaching and teaching were not something he had planned to do. After working with two different pastors, however, he realized the group needed steady leadership and stepped in to guide the group. . . but he remained concerned about “the blind leading the blind.”
That’s when he found Academia Cristo. Today, Néstor has completed the Discipleship Level of the program and is continuing his studies in the Church Planting Level. Through his training, he has grown in his understanding of how all Scripture points to Christ. He has learned to apply Law and Gospel clearly, and he regularly uses Academia Cristo resources to help guide the group in its spiritual growth.
Over the years, Néstor has had a variety of vocations. He has been a teacher, a car salesman, and the owner of a taco stand. Today he runs a bakery and a small lunch stand. Recently I had the opportunity to spend time with him making bread deliveries and helping during the lunch rush. During countless interactions with customers, Nestor initiated spiritual conversations and invited people to his group. He did it as a well-trained and called Academia Cristo church planter (sembrador), serving faithfully so that more people can see the beauty of God’s grace.
From Matt Behmer, Latin America missionary
