 This work began in 1988 by one man (Rick Owens - Las Cruces, NM) who saw a need for new church buildings while doing medical mission work in Mexico City. After seeing the conditions that the Church was meeting in throughout the city (such as in cramped houses, in tin covered shacks, and even under trees) he began to solicit funds to assist in constructing new buildings for the congregations. Since that time, over 150 new buildings have been constructed for the Lord's church, mainly north of Mexico City. This is just the beginning. On average, a newly established congregation will double in size within 2 years. Thus, this "problem" creates a need for more buildings.
 There are hundreds of churches of Christ nationwide that support this work. 100% of all the money given to the program goes towards the purchase of land, building materials, and some Mexican labor. There is no overhead in the program. Rick Owens is solely supported by his home church in Las Cruces, NM and does not take any money from anyone else. In the past few years we have seen the price of land and building materials double and triple. Some prices are at or even above the American level. In order to decide where to place a new church building, a couple of considerations are made. The new church is either a transplant from a nearby "full" church or simply a new start in an area of Mexico that is not represented by an Iglesia de Cristo. Then the new church and its members are asked to purchase the land themselves. This may take years for them to raise the funds necessary, but with this commitment, their dedication to a new church building cannot be questioned. Once the land is purchased, groups from the United States will arrive, materials are purchased locally by Rick Owens, and in time, a new building will be completed.
 Two times a year in January and May the Portland Church of Christ makes the drive to Mexico to team up with other churches of Christ and assist on one of these building. The entire trip takes approximately a week, including travel. Most of the work consists of digging and pouring footers, laying block, pouring concrete, building forms and such. Most of the new buildings are roughly 30x70 with two stories. This is not your typical mission work, its hard labor, especially in the summer, but it is also very rewarding. It has always been said that we get just as much out of the trip as our Mexican brethren. When you can see the love of our Mexican brothers and sisters and the appreciation in their eyes, you come to realize the meaning of a true servant heart. This is a great work that is close to our hearts, cause we love helping these churches grow and spread the word of God.
University Church of Christ
1555 university Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88001
575-522-6707
For more information:
http://lc-church.org/mexico.html
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This work began in 1988 by one man (Rick Owens - Las Cruces, NM) who saw a need for new church buildings while doing medical mission work in Mexico City. After seeing the conditions that the Church was meeting in throughout the city (such as in cramped houses, in tin covered shacks, and even under trees) he began to solicit funds to assist in constructing new buildings for the congregations. Since that time, over 150 new buildings have been constructed for the Lord's church, mainly north of Mexico City. This is just the beginning. On average, a newly established congregation will double in size within 2 years. Thus, this "problem" creates a need for more buildings.
