Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 18
October 27, 1966
NUMBER 25, PAGE 8c-9a

A Mexican Jesus!

Charles F. House

Recently in a national publication, Senator Robert Kennedy, a very devout Roman Catholic, who had been visiting Africa, asked the question: "What if God was black?" This statement caused this writer to meditate on and ponder Kennedy's statement. Just suppose when we all get to heaven, when we face the judgment seat of Christ, that we observed that God the Father was black, or that the Holy Spirit was an Indian, and that Jesus Christ, the son, was actually a Mexican. How surprised some of us would be. Actually in the Church of the Lord there are no Mexicans, no North Americans, no Indians, only Christians. (Acts 11:26). Thus, we can see the fallacy and the foolishness of the matter in thinking that God might be black, the Holy Spirit might be an Indian, or that Jesus might be a Mexican. But sometimes one wonders if some of us don't think God, The Holy Spirit, Jesus and His Judgment seat, as a tribunal of whites only, where dark skins are not wanted, and where they are already condemned before their trial just because their skins were not white. Could it be possible that some of us might have rendered bad judgment because of ignorance of all of the facts, or because we are content in our own self righteousness? If such is the case beloved, we had better prayerfully examine the Master's teaching. He said in Matthew 5:20 "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven". Again He said in Matthew 23:28.... "Even so ye outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Thus, if some of us have the idea that we are going to heaven without being concerned for those more unfortunate, we are mistaken. If we do not love God first, and secondly, our neighbor as ourselves, we will not make it. Have we forgotten what Jesus said in Matt. 25:35-36? Lets read it together, prayerfully: "For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: etc."

Let me illustrate the point: Brother Gabriel Ortiz, 416 West Los Angeles Drive, Vista, California-92083, a faithful bi-lingual Gospel preacher, a Mexican-American (born in Fort Worth, Texas), and a brother in Christ, has been desperately trying to raise support as he begins the work among the Spanish speaking of Vista, California. (See the GOSPEL GUARDIAN, page 251, Volume 18, dated August 25, 1966.) His appeals, as he visits nearby churches, in part, have fallen on deaf ears, because not enough nearby congregations have come to his aid. Was this the same thing experienced by Brother Walter Bunnell, formerly of National City, California, who returned to secular work, and who wanted so badly to go to South America to preach in Spanish? Brother Phil Morgan of Santiago, Chile has made appeals from time to time. Have his appeals fallen on deaf ears? (See GOSPEL GUARDIAN, page 233, Vol. 18, dated August 18, 1966) WHY don't churches care enough for the souls of Spanish speaking people to support Gospel preachers who are working in Spanish fields in their own backyards? Must the answer wait and be revealed only at the judgment?

As of August 25, 1966, nearby churches were supporting Brother Ortiz $300 per month. (GOSPEL GUARDIAN, page 251, Vol. 18, dated August 25, 1966) On September 13, 1966 one church notified him that they will no longer be supporting him $110 per month after December 31, 1966. The emergency has become so urgent that this appeal is being made to the brotherhood as a whole, and to those brethren who love the souls of Spanish speaking people. Brother Ortiz is asking both emergency benevolence (to help him pay a huge hospital bill), plus regular support as a Gospel preacher. On at least two occasions that I know of, one of the faithful nearby churches responded to his need by bringing food and canned goods into his home. The local members of the Vista Spanish church itself have been doing what they could; bringing in food, plus having the Ortiz family to eat with them. If his present emergency is not met in a hurry, the brotherhood is in danger of losing this man also to full time secular work. It is hoped this can be averted by appealing directly to the whole brotherhood. It is not right that any group of individuals or churches in any given locality should cut themselves off from the Spanish work without a Scriptural reason, because of racial prejudice, or whatever the reason might be, when there is such a great need. Actually, this could be a black mark against them.

Bro. Ortiz, who has two teen-age children at home, is asking $540 per month (to pay bills and to live on), plus $110 per month house allowance. In view of the fact that the church meets in his home, this amount is not unreasonable. We who know him and love him, respectfully petition you that he be invited to your congregation, or that you phone or write him for further details of his plans, with the end in view of supporting him. He will gladly recieve any amount from $1 per month to the full amount that he needs. (Phil. 4:17). How many churches in the brotherhood can not really afford $5 or $10 per month to have fellowship with him? Communicate directly with Gabriel Ortiz, 416 West Los Angeles Drive, Vista, California-92083, telephone code (714) 724-6319. This man is worthy and is qualified.

Do you think after this great battle of life is all over that at the judgment you will encounter a Mexican Jesus? Think on these things.

-P. O. Box 641 San Luis, Arizona USA 85349