HIS PLAN & PATH CONTINUES…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Launch Plan Update #1
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. Your faithfulness has helped carry me through each change and obstacle along the way. I’m so grateful to have you alongside me on this journey.
Step 1: COMPLETED!
Trip to Mazatlán
This March, I spent several weeks in Mazatlán reconnecting with friends and my church family…my goal was to spend time back in the area asking God for confirmation that it was time for me to return to Mazatlán.
I was blessed to stay with my friend Sara in her home in Centro. It was such a joy to be back in the same neighborhood where I had lived for most of my years in Mazatlán!
Staying there made it easy to reconnect with friends and revisit some of my favorite familiar places. I even got to stop by the little “mom-and-pop” corner store I used to live above and return to the park where I regularly bought fresh, homegrown vegetables from a local family.
It was wonderful to revisit these familiar places and enjoy the simple, everyday moments that had become such a special part of my life in Mazatlán. Being there brought back so many fond memories and reminded me just how much I love this community!
Originally from Washington, Sara and her parents moved down in 2021 and have been a very important part of Calvary Maranatha.
Sara works full-time, remotely, for a company up in the States. So, unlike many “snowbirds” (people who come to Mazatlán just to warm up during the winter-to-spring season), Sara lives in Mazatlán year round.
During the week, along with her parents, Sara has played a key role in coordinating and hosting Maranatha’s midweek Bible study for our “English speakers” at her home. It was a great time of fellowship, sharing dinner together and then bible study all on her back patio.
Calvary Maranatha
I was delighted to spend time with Pastor Tony and Angela Carranza and hear about all that the Lord is doing at Calvary Maranatha. The church continues to thrive and grow, with several new ministries and programs launched during my time away. It was a joy to see how the Lord is continuing to work through this growing church community.
My visit also coincided with Maranatha’s Annual Church Planting Conference. In previous years, I had been busy serving behind the scenes, helping with the many details involved in bringing the conference together. This year, however, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the entire conference!
At the close of the conference, Pastor Tony announced an exciting new chapter in Calvary Maranatha’s church-planting vision: a new church plant in Spain, planned for 2027—Calvary Almería!
Leading this new adventure will be Calvary Maranatha’s Assistant Pastor, Manuel Cañedo, alongside his wife, Eunice, and their family. What an exciting step of faith as the Lord leads them into this new season of ministry! Please join us in prayer for the Cañedo family as they prepare for this new work and for the Lord to open doors for the gospel in Almería, Spain.
The Cañedo Family
The Family’s Calling to Spain in 2027
During my visit to Mazatlán, I had the opportunity to spend time with the Cañedo family. It was wonderful to reconnect, catch up on the changes in their lives during the years I had been back in the States, and hear more about how the Lord had been confirming His calling on their family.
I learned that for seven years, Pastor Manuel and Eunice had prayed and waited, convinced that the Lord was calling them to plant a church. They simply weren't sure where He was leading them. Then, in 2025, the Lord put Spain on their hearts.
As they continued to pray, they received confirmation through various passages of Scripture, especially Isaiah 43:19.
Gradually, the city of Almería in southern Spain became the clear focus of their prayers and vision.
“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
— Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)
These words beautifully capture the vision and hope behind this new church plant. Just as God promises to do a new thing and make a way in the wilderness, the Cañedo family is stepping forward in faith, trusting Him to prepare the way for the gospel in Spain.
As I listened to their story and heard how the Lord had been leading them, I was encouraged by their faith and perseverance. Little did I realize how God would use their calling to begin stirring something new in my own heart!
Preparing for the Almería Vision Tour
During our meetings, we also discussed the upcoming vision tour to Almería. It was fun to hear of their plans knowing that I would be part of the team joining them on their vision tour.
Manuel had already done a wonderful job preparing a detailed itinerary, researching the locations we would visit, places to eat, housing arrangements, and flights.
I was excited to bring all this information back to the SGWM headquarters in California and get to work! Once I returned, my role would be to help finalize the plans, coordinate the details, and communicate with the rest of the team joining Manuel and Eunice for this important trip.
In total, our team would consist of 13 pastors and missionaries representing Mexico, the United States, and the Middle East. Together, we would travel to Almería to explore the area, learn more about the local community, and pray for God's direction.
At the time, I was focused on helping bring all the details together and making the trip possible. But as the plans came together, the Lord was also preparing my heart for what He wanted to show me in Spain…
BUT FIRST… MAZATLÁN!
During my visit to Mazatlán this past March, the Lord clearly confirmed in my heart that it was time to return and join the ministry team at Calvary Maranatha.
I’m so grateful for the time I spent in Mazatlán and for the opportunity to reconnect with the church family, friends, and ministry partners there. Throughout my visit, the Lord continued to show me the community He has placed before me, the fellowship and support of the Calvary Maranatha church family, and the opportunities for training and growth He has provided.
I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to work alongside Pastor Tony and Angela Carranza, as well as Pastor Manuel and Eunice Cañedo. Their friendship, leadership, and partnership will be valuable as I prepare for the next steps in ministry and continue seeking the Lord’s direction for what lies ahead.
It was encouraging to see how the Lord has continued to work through Calvary Maranatha, and I’m excited to see how He will use this next season to prepare me for the ministry opportunities He has in store!
PRAYER REQUESTS & PRAISE
Thank you for faithfully praying for me and the ministry the Lord has placed before me! I’m grateful to have you partnering with me in this journey. Here are a few specific ways you can pray:
1. Clear Direction & Preparation
Pray for continued clarity as I seek the Lord’s direction for my role in ministry, both in Mazatlán and as the opportunity to serve with the Calvary Almería church plant develops. Pray that He will prepare my heart and equip me for whatever lies ahead.
2. Calvary Maranatha — Mazatlán, Mexico
Pray for the ministry team at Calvary Maranatha, for Pastor Tony and Angela Carranza, and for Pastor Manuel and Eunice Cañedo. Ask the Lord to continue strengthening their families, providing wisdom in leadership, and opening doors to share the gospel throughout their communities.
3. Calvary Almería — Spain
Pray for the preparations for the planned 2027 church plant in Almería. Ask the Lord to guide Manuel and Eunice as they prepare for this new season of ministry, provide the resources they need, and open doors for meaningful relationships with the people of Almería.
4. Provision for Ministry
Pray for the financial and practical resources needed for this next season of ministry. Ask the Lord to provide for travel, living expenses, ministry needs, and the ongoing support necessary to serve faithfully wherever He leads.
5. Open Hearts & Gospel Opportunities
Pray that the Lord would prepare the hearts of people in both Mexico and Spain to receive the hope of the gospel. Ask Him to provide opportunities to build relationships, encourage believers, disciple others, and see lives transformed through Jesus Christ.
Thank you for being part of this journey through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. I’m grateful to see how the Lord continues to direct each step, and I look forward to sharing more of what He is doing!
Because of HIM!
Nancy
Login To Leave Comment