On Mexico’s southern border, more than 10,000 people and members of the Church of Jesus Es El Camino participated in the March to Thank God for 32 Years of Peace in Chiapas, which was held under the theme “A Thousand Reasons to Thank God for Peace.”
The massive march was aimed at recognizing the stability the region has experienced since 1994 and offering prayers for continued peace.
Religious leaders said the event was planned as an expression of gratitude for the peace God has given Chiapas since the 1994 Zapatista uprising, when the Tzotzil, Tzeltal and Tojolabal communities took up arms demanding their rights and recognition as indigenous peoples.
Thousands of Christians marched from the east side of the state capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, toward Central Park. Another group started from the Colored Bridge on the west side of the city. Both troops gathered in the central square for musical performances, sermons, and prayers for national peace.
Cultural diversity and public participation
Pastors from various communities offered prayers in Spanish and indigenous languages, asking for protection from their respective municipalities. They also recalled past periods of violence, including in 1994 and 2004, when the presence of criminal groups affected several regions of Chiapas.
Pastors and believers participated in the march from states across the country, including Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Nuevo Leon, Baja California, Oaxaca, Mexico, and Mexico City.
Praise and worship was led by psalmist Tomás Reyes, the Siereño group Clave 3.16, musicians Eric Portal, Tony Perez, and Shekinah RAV Ministries.
Participants held white balloons as a symbol of peace and placards with messages such as “God is love,” “God heals our land,” “Praying for Tuxtla Gutierrez,” and “God bless Chiapas.”
During the rally, participants prayed for state governments, local and federal legislators, and asked them to make decisions based on justice and committed to the welfare of society. The values of peace, unity, legitimacy and dialogue were emphasized as pillars of community life and family development.
Members of the Tzotzil, Chol, Toyolabar and Tseltal tribes wore traditional costumes and participated in songs in their native languages. Among them was Pastor Mario Chozi of San Juan Chamula, who prayed at Tzotzil for peace in Chiapas and the whole country.
Current challenges and trust in Chiapas
Pastor Josué Pérez Pardo, organizer of the march and leader of the Jescrist Esperanza Segura ministry, said the march was prompted by recent violence in the state, particularly in the Altos region, the northern region, and municipalities such as La Concordia and Comalapa. He also noted the increase in traffic accidents in Tuxtla Gutierrez. He noted that Chiapas continues to face problems stemming from religious intolerance.
According to the National Human Rights Commission, more than 30,500 cases of internal displacement due to religious conflicts have been recorded between 1974 and 2016. Currently, Chiapas has more than 5.5 million residents, 2 million of whom identify as Protestant evangelicals.
Mexico’s Coordination of Christian Groups reports that six out of 10 families in Chiapas have left their homes at some point to avoid religiously motivated attacks.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Chiapas is the most religiously diverse state in Mexico. In 2020, the population was 53.9% Catholic, 32.4% Protestant or evangelical, and 12.5% non-religious, making it the state with the highest evangelical presence in the country, surpassing Tabasco, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.
Continuing commitment to peace
In this regard, the pastors said that the march also aims to build unity among churches and keep the focus on prayers for peace. They announced that monthly prayer gatherings would soon be held in various municipalities.
The march also included prayers for migrants, many of whom are fleeing violence, passing through Central American countries and the Chiapas border region. The pastors called for protection and divine guidance for people on the move and for countries affected by insecurity.
Throughout the event, songs by children, youth, adults and the elderly echoed along with brass bands, tambourines and parade floats.
The Church of Jesus S. El Camino said it organized a prayer caravan during the COVID-19 health emergency in 2020 and 2021. The initiative was said to be aimed at bringing comfort and hope to people.
The march reaffirmed the conviction of thousands of believers that peace in Chiapas is a gift from God and must be preserved through prayer, unity and community efforts.
Original text by Diario Cristiano, Spanish edition of Christian Daily International.
