31Mexico

Although the majority of Mexico’s population is Christian, many believers live in danger of persecution, particularly from criminal gangs, drug cartels and indigenous groups. In many parts of the country, the presence of criminal groups is growing. Christians who bravely speak out against their activities, or who are involved in community work or evangelism (especially with youth, drug addicts and migrants) are deemed a threat. That makes them a target. In some cases, Christian children or the children of church leaders are singled out.

In some Indigenous communities, those who decide to leave ancestral and traditional beliefs to follow Jesus face ostracism, fines, incarceration and forced displacement. Given that indigenous leaders are those who administer justice in such areas, believers have no one to turn to investigate wrongdoing and protect their religious freedom. These families can also face harassment from the community, such as property damage, restriction of access to schools for their children, and threats.

Mexico is a strictly secular state, and hostility toward the Christian faith and values has increased in general, while public expressions of Christianity face increasingly strong legal scrutiny.

Meet Mauricio

“My suffering started when I accepted Lord Jesus. The authorities in my community first tried to take away my land title. They took away my certificate so that I couldn’t work my land, they imprisoned me and my wife for 24 hours, and finally, they took away our drinking water and public services.”

Mauricio, a Mexican believer.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors strengthens persecuted believers in Mexico with biblical training, legal support, trauma care and socio-economic aid.