Trips to San Telmo began in May 2000. The missionary, Pedro Dunn Fitch, founded the church, Jehová Nissi. He invited us to help him in his ministry there. Pedro graduated from the Nazare Biblical Institute in Ensenada, BC Mex in 1999 and then founded this small church.

We travel to San Telmo monthly with Loma Linda Church missionary team. We stay for 4 days  (Thur-Sun) teaching, going door to door, visiting sick people in their house, having a VBS for kids, and a special service at night. Our Missionary Team sleeps on the floor with sleeping bags and do the cooking in improvised tent. and We take showers in an improvised cardboard shower. The migrants give us fresh vegetables, and our Church give us the rest of the food that we need.

For the last six years we have brought a big Christmas festival for the kids and adults in this migrant community. The festival always includes two piñatas and a hot meal for 400 people. We distribute 300 presents, lots of blankets, and second hand clothing for the whole family.

Breaking away. Last year the mission church we worked with in San Telmo began to have problems within the body of believers. We tried to help but the leadership refused to see the need and many of the congregation quit the church and began to backslide. We prayed for God’s direction in what we should do and felt He was telling us it was time to move on. The Loma Linda Church prayed to start our own church in San Telmo.

We had to wait though because we did not have a Pastor or Missionary who wanted to go. Rosie and I attended a special event called "24 Hours with Jesus", and I was praying: “Lord we need a Pastor for San Telmo”, and during this prayer time my God told me “Your search for a Pastor for San Telmo is finished. I have the man for there.” I ask God, “Who is it?”  “The man in front you,” said the Lord...Victor Espinoza was the man. When we finished praying Rosie told me, “Santiago, during the prayer time the Lord told me, “Your search for a Pastor for San Telmo is over.”  Rosie ask the Lord, “Who is the man?” God told her “He is in front of you.” It was Victor Espinoza. After this experience Rosie and I, met Victor and told him what God had showed us. Victor was praying also about how the Lord wanted to use him, and he said, "This is an answer from God to me."

Victor and I have traveled to San Telmo for several times and Victor was impressed with the people, the area and the vision we have for San Telmo. Victor is the man for San Telmo !!!

Our almighty God provided the place to start the church. The owner agreed to loan us the house for five years while we save to but property to build our own church.

And so Bethel Christian Church of San Telmo was founded. We don’t know how long it will take to have the Church that we want, but we know that it all begins with vision. With each challenge we have encountered, we have become stronger in our faith. In the strength of our Lord we will complete the race He has set before us.

We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.

Come and help us and be a part of Santiago, Victor and Loma Linda Ministries in their vision to reach the migrant farm community of San Telmo.