This week’s church planter spotlight is focused on Cristian Martinez. Cristian is the lead planter at Grace Harvest Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX. We asked him ten questions that will let you know a little more about him.
Tell us a little about your family.
I am originally from Mexico City. In 2016, I married my beautiful, Romanian wife. We have one little daughter named Joellen who was born in the US, adding a third nationality to the family. Now we are joyfully expecting a baby boy. We believe God has uniquely made us a multi-national family in order to make disciples of different nationalities and backgrounds. We enjoy time of family worship, traveling, and eating.
How long have you been planting in your mission field?
We moved to Lubbock at the end of 2017, began to make friends, and learn about the city.
What do you see is unique in your mission field?
By God’s grace, Lubbock has several churches that are faithfully preaching the gospel of Jesus and making disciples. Nevertheless, there are many neighborhoods in the city that have been marginalized. There are men, women, and children living in these neighborhoods that lack resources such as decent education, jobs, transportation, and healthcare. Most importantly, there is lack of gospel preaching churches that are making disciples of Jesus and living out the gospel of Jesus among them. There are also around 3,000 internationals that came to Texas Tech University. The nations are coming to us and we must give them the treasure of the gospel.
What different people or groups do you see in your field?
We have a variety of ethnicities and Texas Tech University brings international students from many different countries.
How is your daily time with God?
Usually, I schedule an hour in the morning in my calendar that says “enjoying God.” I want to be reminded every morning that the greatest gift I received as a result of Jesus’s atonement is a reconciled relationship with God to enjoy and glorify Him. I read the Bible and pray. I either memorize a verse, concept or application of the passage to meditate and pray throughout the day.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to spend time with family, friends, exercise, and reading.
Fun question! What is your favorite theme ride?
I haven’t ride one in the US, but I have tried all of them in Six Flags, Mexico City.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
Romania is awesome! It has beautiful natural places like mountains, water falls, rivers, and plains. It also has great architecture, castles, fortresses, art, and great food (still Mexican food is the best).
Share a challenge you are facing right now and how we can pray for you.
We are moving closer to the neighborhood that we are reaching in Lubbock. Pray for the moving and meeting new neighbors. Pray for opportunities to preach the gospel and great fruit.
Share a praise you are excited about that we can share with others.
God is giving us some laborers that are committed to make disciples together with us. Also, a student from China confessed Jesus as the only Savior and God after some weeks of reading the Bible with him, showing him our need to be reconciled to God through Jesus, and how all of Scriptures speak of Him. He came from China not knowing anything about the Bible and God has opened his eyes to receive the truth. Please keep praying for him to be established in the faith and persevere through possible persecution he might face when he goes back to China in a year.
Please pray for Cristian and Vanessa as they continue their church planting efforts in Lubbock. Pray for safety and God’s blessings upon their work.
If you would like to help support the work that they are doing, you can send your monies to:
BMA Texas Missions
P.O. Box 73
Waxahachie, TX 75168
Please designate it for “Cristian Martinez.” You can also give online at bmatexasmissions.org/give.
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