Reaching Hispanics
Personal Testimony and Ministry Info
Meet Alex and Diana Mata, whom God has sent to reach and disciple among the urban Hispanic communities of Los Angeles.
Alex first became involved with The Navigators while in the Air Force. At the end of his military service in the mid-'80s, he served as a Navigator missionary to South America for two-and-a half years. Meanwhile, Diana became a believer through the Navigator ministry at the University of New Mexico.
After getting married in 1988, Alex and Diana felt called to co-labor with The Navigators in Los Angeles on a part-time basis while they worked full time in other jobs (Alex as an aircraft mechanic, Diana as a teacher).
As a bilingual Hispanic couple, they know how to communicate the Gospel clearly and boldly across cultures. They believe there are many Hispanic singles and families here in the U.S. who need Jesus as their Savior.
In light of the growing Hispanic population in the United States and their spiritual needs, Alex and Diana have responded to the ever-growing need for full-time Christian urban missionaries by becoming full-time staff with The Navigators.
AREAS OF MINISTRY
Churches
Let me give you an introduction to what God is allowing me (Alex) to do with Him in this ministry in the urban communities of East Los Angeles. As I minister in a community of need, I am coming alongside two different churches that have a desire to grow and make a difference in their community for Christ—Iglesia Cristiana de la Communidad in Lakewood and Community Grace Brethren Church in Whittier. I am meeting with each of the pastors and elders, and they have asked me to help them in the area of discipleship. First, we are praying and seeking how God would want to move each church into a greater effectiveness in evangelism and discipleship amongst the lost. We are in the middle of talks that will help us understand how God is leading each of the pastors and elders to a new beginning. Each church has distinguishing characteristics that we must be sensitive to as we work through this process.
Couples
Diana and I believe one of the keys to making a difference for Christ in this world is a strong marriage that reflects Christ as the center. We spent a year in premarital counseling with one particular couple, meeting once a month to cover major topics that would prepare them for a lasting marriage. Tim and Sally were married this past July in a beautiful outdoor wedding where family and friends witnessed them exchange vows before God.
Community, Evangelism, and Discipleship
We desire to see God raise up generations of believers who will impact the world for Christ as they mature in their faith, and multiply their lives in the communities of the greater East Los Angeles area. I believe God is doing that here, through us, by allowing us to develop a community of believers in Los Angeles. We desire to expand our ministry in 2005 by focusing on discipleship conferences and home Bible studies in the area. We will continue our summer outreaches and networking with others to maximize our efforts in reaching the lost for Christ.
Visit our personal website at www.urbannav.com, a ministry tool of communication for the mission-minded believer.
Contact Alex Mata by email for more information.
Learn more about The Navigators Hispanic Ministry.
| Donate online to the Mata's ministry |
