Mexico Partner Churches and Organizations

National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM)

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) has seven synods and 40 presbyteries. In 1872 the first mission personnel from the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (PC(USA)) went to Mexico, and in 1893 personnel from the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS) arrived. The turmoil of the Mexican Revolution forced them out in 1913. A few years later a conference with representatives from historic Protestant churches divided Mexico into different mission territories, allotting southern Mexico to the Presbyterians and northern Mexico to the Methodists. The Mexican church was neither consulted nor asked to participate, and even today this action remains inexplicable in the minds of Mexican Christians.

In its centennial celebration in 1972, the INPM asked the U.S. Presbyterian churches for a temporary suspension of relations. By requiring all U.S. missionaries to leave the country the INPM gave itself the space to become a truly national and independent body, one that would set its own agenda and priorities. The priorities it set are evangelism, theological education, and new church development. Relations were re-established in 1980 when the U.S. and Mexican churches developed a new way to do mission together, embodied in a covenant called "A New Relation in Joint Mission." The new relationship commits the churches to make all mission decisions together.

The INPM has seminaries, Bible schools, and women's mission schools in different parts of the country. Although the INPM does not ordain women, many educated and qualified women graduate from seminaries and mission schools. The INPM women's organization is well organized and is a strong presence in the church.

The seven mission sites of the Mexico–U.S. Border Ministry were the first major projects the two churches worked on jointly. These ministries are good examples of mutual mission. Mexican and U.S. mission workers and board members overcome cultural distinctions and theological differences to carry out work together. Many PC(USA) members have taken part in this ministry and have been strengthened in their faith by it.

In Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico, 40 percent of evangelicals are Presbyterians. During the mid to late 1990s Chiapas was the scene of an armed, indigenous uprising by the Zapatista National Liberation Front (FZLN) and its aftermath. Many Presbyterians were uprooted by the turmoil. The INPM has stood with these brothers and sisters and has advocated for resolution of the injustices in Chiapas.