Bea Mesquias: Committed to leading and empowering women

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Bea Mesquias has been the executive director and treasurer of Union Femenil Misionera de Texas since 2016. From deep in the heart of one Texan, she shares her background and thoughts on missions and ministry. To suggest a Baptist General Convention of Texas-affiliated leader to be featured in this column, or to apply to be featured yourself, click here.

Background

Where else have you served in ministry, and what were your positions there?

I was the first Hispanic woman to serve as director of the Woman’s Missionary Union of the Corpus Christi Baptist Association (1988 to 1992), where I worked with Anglo, Hispanic, Black and Korean women.

During my tenure at the Corpus Christi Association, I was invited to the National 100th Woman’s Missionary Union Celebration representing all ethnic groups. I was the only Hispanic woman. There were more than 30,000 people present, and 350 missionaries were commissioned. Five women from the Corpus Christ Association and one woman from Harlingen were among them.

I was also the first Hispanic woman to servea as Woman’s Missionary Union director of the Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association (2000 to 2009). I worked with Anglo and Hispanic women in the colonias—poor and unincorporated communities—doing missions and Vacation Bible School every year. At Christmas, we took hundreds of toys for the children and did health care clinics for the adults.

I was president of Union Femenil Misionera de Texas (2008 to 2012). We train women in leadership and discipleship. We do missions in different parts of Texas, and serve homeless people with food, haircuts and sharing the gospel.

I was president of Convención Bautista Hispana de Texas, the first woman to serve in this position two terms (2012 to 2015). During my tenure, we built a home for a family previously living in a cardboard house.

Where did you grow up?

Robstown, Texas.

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I attended Vacation Bible School at age 9. As a young person, I served in my church youth groups.

Where were you educated, and what degrees did you receive?

I have a nursing degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, and a degree in business administration.


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About ministry life

Why do you feel called into ministry?

As a nurse, I wanted to help people get better. Working with Union Femenil Misionera, I have encouraged women to get education to empower women, to teach women to do Bible studies, and lead people and women to serve Jesus Christ. I also want to help homeless people see men and women get off the street and live a better life.

What is your favorite aspect of ministry? Why?

Seeing women turn their life to Jesus Christ and serve in their church. I also enjoy seeing women get an education and the blessing of women starting their own business.

What one aspect of ministry gives you the greatest joy?

When Union Femenil Misionera helps young students get scholarships to attend university and when UFM is able to help them complete their degrees. I also enjoy seeing young people do missions in Texas where there has been hurricanes and floods.

What one aspect of ministry would you like to change?

I would like to be able to get grants to have a paid person to work full time. Right now, we all are volunteers and encourage women to send money to the “Bea Mesquias Offering.” The offering was named by two pastors. The money received is used to do mission work and help students get a college or university education.

How do you expect ministry to change in the next 10 to 20 years?

We need to have a paid full-time person with a passion for missions and a degree to lead all the organizations under UFM and work with volunteer people.

If you could launch any new ministry—individually, through your congregation or through another organization—what would it be? Why?

National UFM to teach Hispanic women from other states to love and serve in missions, and teach women from other states to start children’s organizations.

What’s the most significant challenge facing your ministry?

Money is a great need, so we can do more training and mission work, and be able to buy supplies.

What do you wish more laypeople knew about ministry or, specifically, your ministry?

I would like laypeople to know of the week of prayer and how the “Bea Mesquias Offering” money is used to give scholarships to young people to get an education, and to assist pastors to do missions in areas where people need to know about Jesus Christ.

For UFM de Texas to do training at no cost, we need the money to buy supplies and to help women travel the state. Women who attend training go back to their churches and start UFM and children’s organizations.

If you could get one “do over” in ministry, what would it be, and why?

Be able to give women the book I am teaching from, so they can refer to it when they go home.

What are you going to do now that you’ve retired from your home health business?

Continue doing God’s calling. I know God has something special for me to do.

About Hermana Mesquias

Who were/are your mentors, and how did/do they influence you?

Pastor Hector Hernandez trained my husband and me in discipleship.

Pastor Samuel Orta and his wife Gloria Orta took my husband and me on our first mission trip in Mexico. There is where my love for missions started.

Josefina Uranga taught me how to do Bible studies, pray, give and do missions.

Other than the Bible, name some of your favorite books or authors, and explain why.

Priscilla Shirer’s Elijah: Faith and Fire studies are very encouraging and easy to read.

Sarah Mae’s Psalm 40: Crying Out to the God Who Delights to Rescue Us teaches God really cares.

What is your favorite Bible verse or passage? Why?

Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I am living proof. Without money, I built a very successful home health company over 25 years that has 10 branches in Texas. I started the business so I could do missions. Yes, with Christ I can do all things.

Who is your favorite person in the Bible, other than Jesus? Why?

The Apostle Paul. He was humble, ran the race and won the race. He encouraged so many great leaders and taught them to serve.

Name something about you that would surprise people who know you.

How old I am and still serving God.


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