Building Relationships Through Faith and Service: Jim Paxton's Journey with Church Mexico

With the Rock’s proximity to the border and its members' rich cross-cultural heritage, mission trip opportunities in Mexico are a consistent feature of the Church’s service. A regular participant in the Rock’s semi-annual week-long trip to an orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Baja, Jim has long wanted to expand the Rock’s Mexico-based missions. “The fact that we live here so close to Mexico and have so few opportunities to live out the great commission is something I feel called to change.”

Following a trip in early 2023, Jim shared his desire to deepen the Rock’s mission field in Mexico with the Baja Mission Coordinator, Rudy Olivas. “I had queried Rudy about mission opportunities right here, closer to home,” Jim explained. Rudy suggested connecting with his long-time friend Pastor David Power of Church Mexico, knowing their strong presence just across the border in San Luis. 

After an introductory meeting, Jim’s heart was stirred by Church Mexico’s genuine relationships in San Luis, a community just across the Mexican border. It was clear that Church Mexico offered an opportunity for the Rock Church to expand its mission field in a more intimate, local, and cost-effective way. “We had a lot of people who wanted to do more mission trips; Spanish speakers and members who grew up in Mexico; and people with a general understanding of the need in Northern Mexico communities. Church Mexico presented a solution to help us turn these ingredients into action by bridging their local relationship and understanding of the needs, struggles, and opportunities of their congregations in northern Mexico with the Rock’s desire to serve. “It was something that I and others at the Rock Church were very excited about.”

“David called me out of the blue a few months later and said, ‘Hey Jim, we've got an opportunity to have maybe some of your folks come down here and do some small construction. Is that something you're interested in? I really appreciate the fact that he contacted me. We had established a relationship, and we both knew the opportunity was out there, but sometimes life causes us to get caught up in other things. When David followed up on it, that was huge because it was [confirmation of] something that had been in my and others' hearts

Soon after, Church Mexico hosted Jim and a team from the Rock Church for their first collaborative effort: a simple, one-day construction project building an enclosure for a washer and dryer at La Iglesia en San Luis. “That first trip was eye-opening,” Jim recalls. “We drove just twenty minutes across the border, spent the day working closely with the local community, and by evening, we were back home. Even though it was just a simple construction project, the connection and ease David provided made an immediate impression. It felt seamless, personal—there was a clear sense of purpose.”

That modest beginning sparked enthusiasm among Jim and the Rock Church volunteers, who immediately began planning a second trip to San Luis for the following year. In the midst of planning their next visit to San Luis, David reached out with a unique opportunity for the Rock to deepen their mission outreach to youth in northern Mexico. He shared with Jim the recent success of their rescuing girls program - a ministry dedicated to equipping young women with the tools to build Godly relationships, resist abuse, and embrace their identity in Christ - and Church Mexico’s desire to extend a similar faith-based leadership ministry to young men. “I quickly thought of our Valor Program, which is designed to develop young men’s grit, character, and life skills so that they can best serve and lead their families, community, and country.

David immediately understood how powerful Valor could be for youth of the congregations Church Mexico was working to uplift, too,” Jim reflected. Together, David and Jim organized a team from the Rock to deliver the Valor program to young men from La Iglesia Bautista Betel in Los Algodones, La Iglesia en San Luis in San Luis Rio Colorado, La Iglesia Nuevo Jerusalen in San Luis Rio Colorado, and La Iglesia Fe y Esperanza in Ciudad Morelos (Cuervos). That trip solidified the Rock’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with Church Mexico. “Bringing this program to San Luis was incredibly rewarding, Jim shared. The experience wasn't just about lending a hand—it was about mentoring and investing deeply in the community. It showed us that faith-based mentorship translates powerfully across cultural lines.”

Jim's growing relationship with Church Mexico soon expanded beyond service trips and mentorship. In January of 2025, He was invited to Church Mexico’s community-building event known affectionately as "Tamale Night." There, hearing stories of transformation from local families and scholarship recipients impacted by Church Mexico’s King’s Kids program, Jim recognized the depth of Church Mexico’s ministry. “Hearing firsthand testimonies of how education and support genuinely changed lives reminded me exactly why these partnerships matter. It was deeply inspiring.”