Hope multiplies when the Church opens its doors and its hands.
In Poza Rica and across northern Veracruz, the Nazarene family has come together to serve: opening shelters, sharing hot meals, offering medical care, and cleaning homes struck by the floodwaters. What could have been only an emergency has become a living testimony of unity, hope, and practical love.
A response born from the heart
Beginning October 10, 2025, the Second Church of the Nazarene in Poza Rica (Veracruz) began preparing spaces to receive its community. On October 11, with support from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), the shelter and community kitchen were formally activated and remain in service.
Four Nazarene churches in Poza Rica are taking turns in rotation to sustain the work—reminding us that the mission multiplies when it’s shared.
Hands that feed, clean, and heal
Each day an average of 100 people are served (around 40 at breakfast), and 2,000 meals have already been provided via breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Volunteer teams have assisted 30 homes, along with cistern cleaning and debris removal.
On the medical front, 100 consultations have been provided (70 in Álamo and 30 in Poza Rica), addressing foot infections, lacerations, and sprains, as well as follow-up for people with diabetes and hypertension who require medication. This rotation among the four churches ensures hot meals each day, steady cleaning teams, and an open shelter for those who need it most.
Frontline care and coordination
Pastor Rebeca Flores and a team from the Second Church of the Nazarene in Poza Rica sustain the shelter and community kitchen, caring for every detail including lodging, food, daily cleaning, and a health safety perimeter that protects those who come seeking refuge.
In the neighborhoods, Pastor and missionary Carlos Castro coordinates home cleaning and disinfection with support from the district and groups of youth and volunteer leaders who don’t give up when fatigue sets in.
Since October 16, NCM medical brigades—led by Dentist Shalma Jazzel Hernández (South) and Dr. Magdalena Nuño (North)—evaluate and care for at-risk families, along with six physicians and a nursing support team who organize shifts and follow-up.
An additional 15 volunteers also joined the removal, cleaning, and disinfection efforts, which—together with the local brigade—form three assistance teams working in parallel across communities and municipalities in northern Veracruz.
Experience that sustains hope
Drawing on experience from responding to three hurricanes in Guerrero, Pastor Carlos de León Rufino traveled with volunteers from the Central District and youth from his local church to strengthen the cleaning and disinfection fronts.
On the ground, NCM area coordinators Edy Aroldo Montejo (South) and Cutberto Tenorio (North) accompany and strengthen the response strategy—reminding us that unity makes the impossible possible.
Voices that encourage faith
“Thank you for the brigades sent from all over the country, and thanks to everyone who has supported financially, in prayer, and by mobilizing the churches. On behalf of everyone in the Gulf District, the pastors, and those who lost their homes, thank you for all the support, and may God bless you.” — Pastor and missionary Carlos Castro, Poza Rica.
“Besides helping, we always take time to share the Word, the love of Christ, and prayer.” — Edy Aroldo Montejo, NCM South Mexico Coordinator.
Looking ahead
We will continue rotating as communities and municipalities in northern Veracruz recover. If you’d like to support, pray for the affected families and coordinate your offering or supplies with district leadership so they can be channeled through NCM.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)
Source: Curberto Tenorio, NCM North Mexico Coordinator.
