Texas Baptists held at gunpoint in Mexico

Posted: 3/05/08

Texas Baptists held at gunpoint in Mexico

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

ARANSAS PASS—The pastor and three members of First Baptist Church were held at gunpoint in northern Mexico during the first week of February.

The group was traveling with a two missionaries and a hitchhiker they picked up on a scouting trip Feb. 7 when a vehicle loaded with men began driving aggressively toward them.

The group pulled over and was commanded to get out of the sports utility vehicle.

Instead of complying, the church members noticed automatic weapons in the vehicle of the men who pulled them over and tried to escape.

The group made it to the next town, but the gunmen soon pulled next to them.

After forcing the SUV to stop, the bandits pulled the Baptist mission volunteers out of the vehicle and pushed them to the ground. A man held an automatic weapon at their heads.

“As I’m laying down, I’m praying, ‘Lord protect us,’” Pastor Marshall Johnston said.

After searching the Texans’ vehicle and finding only Bibles and food, the bandits let the Baptists go.

The group could sense the prayers other people offered for them, Johnston said. He gave thanks for God’s protection and looks forward to pursuing God’s call upon First Baptist Church to work in Mexico. His church is planning a trip to the area in July.

“It gave us pause for about three seconds,” Johnston said. “Then we were like ‘No, the enemy’s not going to get this victory.’ We’re planning on going back.”