From Arroyo Seco to Jalpan: A Church Planting Movement Taking Root in Mexico Through Partnership With CKNB Churches

Dr. Kyle Sullivan Reports On The Recent Trip to Mexico & Expounds On The Work Taking Place Through Partnerships Developed Through CKNB Involvement.

A team from Central Kentucky recently returned from Mexico with stories that are both encouraging and challenging—evidence of what can happen when churches partner together for the sake of the Gospel.

This ongoing effort is a shared partnership among several Central Kentucky Network of Baptists (CKNB) churches, including FBC Paris, Safe Harbor Baptist Church, Clover Bottom Baptist Church, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, and Gano Baptist Church. Together, they are working toward a common goal: planting churches in areas where there has been little to no evangelical Christian presence.

And now, they’re beginning to see that vision take root.

“Jesus is now being worshiped in a place where He was not known just eight years ago.”

On April 10, Iglesia Cristiana Bautista Jesús es el Camino was officially constituted as a church in Arroyo Seco. This milestone represents eight years of faithful, steady ministry by Esteban and Alejandra Saldivar, who were sent out as missionaries in 2018.

When they first arrived, there was no evangelical Christian presence in the area. Today, there is a thriving local church.

CKNB’s connection to the Saldivars began in January 2020 through International Mission Board missionaries. While the pandemic limited early involvement to prayer and encouragement, the partnership deepened in 2022 as teams began traveling regularly to serve alongside them.

Since then, something remarkable has happened: what started as a church plant is now becoming a church planting movement.

“The work is already multiplying.”

Just one day after the Arroyo Seco church was officially established, a mission team joined 15 members of the congregation to travel to Jalpan, a neighboring city. There, they are actively working to plant a second church.

Even more encouraging, members of Iglesia Cristiana Bautista Jesús es el Camino are now traveling to Jalpan every Saturday—living on mission and investing in this new work week after week.

During the recent visit, the team connected with the community in tangible ways: hosting a clothing giveaway, offering haircuts and nail care, leading children’s ministry, and organizing sports activities for men like volleyball and basketball.

Each act of service created opportunities to share the Gospel clearly and consistently.

“Through every act of service, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was faithfully shared.”

What stands out most isn’t just the activity—it’s the mindset. Local believers are embracing their role as missionaries, and their example is both inspiring and stretching for those who come alongside them.

So how should we respond?

Pastor Kyle points to three simple but meaningful steps: celebrate, pray, and participate.

Celebrate what God has already done.Pray for His continued work in places that are still unreached. And consider how you might be part of it.

“We invite you to come and see what the Lord is doing in Mexico.”

The next opportunity to join a mission team is scheduled for September 28 through October 5.

For those willing to go, it’s more than a trip—it’s a chance to witness firsthand how God is building His church in places where His name is still being made known.