Page 19 - Central Connection online Magazine2. January 2020 (1)

Focus on Missionary Work
Mission Spotlight

by JeAnn Davis
Jalisco, Mexico
Ivan Martinez, is an Elder and member here at Sac Central Church. In 2015 he felt God's call,
so he sold his home in Sacramento and relocated his family to Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico to do
missionary work. He stepped out in faith, left his life in California behind and trusted that God
would provide for him in full-time ministry.
God has been faithful and has provided a humble place for his family to live and their ministry
to grow in the countryside just outside the city of Ameca, population near 60,000. Ivan built a
small house, which isn't completely finished yet, with several extra rooms to house those who have medical needs that they are ministering to.
Ivan teaches health evangelism and country living classes, gives Bible studies, hosts health expos, goes door-to-door, and has had several
evangelistic series resulting in baptisms. This year alone he has had 10 baptisms and is currently doing 50 bible studies!
It has been very challenging to start from nothing and to have so many obstacles to overcome since most people there are Catholic and
worship idols, but Ivan has found that the most successful way to reach people is through the health
message. He goes into the city and surrounding villages and holds classes on how to prevent diabetes,
high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and also has classes on marriage seminars, and health presen-
tations featuring live healthy cooking demos.
Ivan needs our financial help and support. He needs funds for Spanish Bibles, traveling expenses for
the ministry, funds to buy fresh produce and food for their live cooking demos, materials for all their
classes they teach literature to pass out and share, free gifts to give away at their seminars and meetings,
batteries, and medical supplies.
Gas is very expensive there especially having to drive a big enough vehicle to pick up people along the
way. When he has the evangelistic meetings, seminars and classes, he has to drive from village to village
picking up the people to take them to the meetings and then take them back home after the meet-
ings. Sometimes he does not have enough money to pay for gas to go do ministry or to buy the supplies
he needs.
In 2020 Ivan is preparing to do two evangelistic series, along with teaching many classes to make
friends and prepare the people for the meetings.
Currently there are over 30 people who are attending Ivan's group on Sabbath. It has grown so much that Ivan has to rent a hall in order for
the group to meet to worship and if all that isn't enough to keep him busy, Ivan is also helping
another SDA group in the surrounding area to help their group grow as well!
Ivan says, "God has a plan for those who want to serve him. The best and most beautiful thing
that has ever happened in my life is the work that God has given me to do in Mexico. I want to be
working when the Lord comes!
You can contact Ivan to find out more information about this ministry and how you can help by
emailing him at fam.martinez10@gmail.com or calling him at 916-525-5591
download Venmo and put in your information then search people and put in Ivan-Martinez-229.
Then press the blue round button in the bottom right corner and follow the instructions to send
your support. Ivan thanks you for helping to reach souls in Ameca for Jesus!

Self-Supporting Ministy Spotlight

Covered and Kept Ministries

“Impact Lives for Jesus. Share Your Story”

Karen Gardner Karen Gardner
Covered & Kept Ministries is a Christian media ministry impacting lives for Jesus by
Covered & Kept Ministries is a Christian media ministry impacting lives for Jesus by
partnering with missionaries and telling inspiring stories.
partnering with missionaries and telling inspiring stories.
If you are impacting lives for Jesus and have a unique testimony, life changing experience or involved in a
If you are impacting lives for Jesus and have a unique testimony, life changing experience or involved in a
dynamic soul winning ministry, we would like to feature your story.
dynamic soul winning ministry, we would like to feature your story.
Please contact Kitty at (423) 316-3731 or email us at li@coveredandkept.org
Please contact Kitty at (423) 316-3731 or email us at li@coveredandkept.org

January/February/March 2020 19