SAN CRISTOBAL, Mexico - Evangelical Christians in the Mexican state of Chiapas suffer perhaps some of the worst persecution in the Spanish-speaking world.
Believers there recently participated in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
They prayed for other suffering Christians and for global missions.
Chiapas is one of the most persecuted areas in the Latin world, yet with flags of various nations waving, believers at the Alas de Aguila church in San Cristobal de las Casas prayed for others who suffer for their faith.
Pastor Esdras Alonzo Gonzalez has documented at least 20 reported cases of persecution in the area this year.
He led his congregation in prayer for suffering brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and for more missionaries, including young Chiapans, to be sent to restricted nations.
Missionaries like Patricio, who is preaching at a Friday night service in the northern mountain village of Sanhovel, Chiapas. He says he wants to bring the gospel to areas where it isn't known.
Patricio and fellow student Daniel are among aspiring missionaries attending the Emmanuel Bible Institute in Sanhovel.
"I'm learning a lot more than I thought I could learn," Daniel said. "I'm learning to understand what the spiritual life is all about."
"The word of God tells us not just to preach in a local area, or just in one state, but to all the world," he added.
Some of the students feel called to serve in tribal communities in Chiapas while others want to take the word to restricted nations.
Zenaida, 24, says God may be calling her to Pakistan.
sot: zenaida: student missionary
"The need of the women in Pakistan really caught my attention," she said. I started praying to the Lord and I told Him if He wanted me to go to Pakistan, then I would do that and if it were His will that I give my life in pakistan, then I would accept that."
For now, Zenaida is pouring out her life in tribal villages in Chiapas where many traditionalists oppose the gospel.
She and her cousin Anna often traverse footbridges to reach remote mountain towns. They've experienced victories, but also disappointments.
They were overjoyed when asked to start a Bible study in the home of several people they had led to Christ. Yet, when some family members discovered the meetings, they shut them down and asked the missionaries to leave.
"Truthfully, we were really sad about it, but we believe it will be possible that the door will open and the Lord will be able to touch their hearts," Anna said.
The Christians of Chiapas are praying for hearts to change and for God to send more workers for the harvest including young aspiring missionaries with a godly vision for the future.
"I may be an unimportant person, but I know the Lord will use me to accomplish great things," student missionary Isak proclaimed.
*Originally aired August 14, 2009