About Us

Our Story & Goals

EVM Goals for 2025-2026

1. Build structures that allow disadvantaged churches to have classrooms
2. Build small structures that serve as homes or places for missionaries to temporarily stay in while in country

WHO WE ARE: A body of baptized believers in Christ who are dedicated to the second portion of the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, TNIV).

WHY WE EXIST: In today’s Church Age, we are the “some of them” who were identified in Acts 11:20, “But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus,” (NIV). We are committed to serving God through short-term mission support and efforts in Acuña, Mexico. We desire to see the disadvantaged in Acuña to be physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually equipped to live productively.

WHAT WE DO: Minister to the people by serving their basic needs and assisting in creating a place they truly call home, through a systematic and coordinated effort to establish and build out the local and national infrastructure. The focus is on educational enrichment, economic empowerment, physical capabilities, and spiritual/discipleship development.

WHERE: Acuña, Mexico
Ciudad Acuña (Spanish for ‘Acuña City’), or just Acuña, is a city in the Mexican state of Coahuila. It sits on the Rio Grande River, which is the border between Mexico and the United States. Acuña is connected to Del Rio, Texas in the U.S. by two border crossings. Ciudad Acuña is the fourth-largest city in Coahuila. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in Mexico. The area around Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña is a large shared metropolitan area. The combined Acuna-Del Rio population is approximately 200,000. Sometimes this area is called “Tierra de la Amistad,” which means “Land of Friendship.” It is just 3 hours from EVM HQs in San Angelo, Texas.

Values
Follow the biblical example Paul established to plant churches, develop disciples, and spread the Gospel to people to bring them out of darkness into the marvelous light.

1. Discipleship and Stewardship Development: Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in, The lambs will provide your clothing and the goats the prices of a field. You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household, and the nourishment of your maidservants, (Proverbs 27:23-27, NIV). We will develop leaders through Biblically-based and focused objectives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2. Accountability: We will be accountable to each other, particularly in handling finances, with integrity according to the highest business standards–As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend, (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).

3. Transparency: We will always tell the truth and be thoroughly honest, particularly in reporting statistics and finances–Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master will be honored, (Proverbs 27:18, NIV).

4. Integrity: Everything will be done with integrity in mind and throughout our dealings, internal and external to Ezra Vision Ministries. Our conduct in speech, actions, and dealings with others will be consistent with Biblical principles.

5. Help Up, Not Hand Out: While we are a charitable organization, our fundamental goal and vision is to help the disadvantaged realize, recognize, and respond to their current conditions in a manner that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

6. Reciprocity: As we minister to the people of Acuña, not only will their spiritual development become stronger, but also the reciprocal effect on the individual disciples will be tremendous. The expectation is that the missionaries will return with a story liken to the disciples who returned to Jesus (Luke 10:1-24).

Why Acuna?

Here’s a snapshot of key statistics about Ciudad Acuña (in Coahuila, Mexico), covering
housing, safety, and social challenges, plus distance from San Angelo, TX:

Acuña has a fluctuating population of 200,000-250,000 people that migrate from other southern Mexican states. Most of these people come from rural communities, where the highest level of education reached is the 6th grade.

Housing & Homelessness

Official figures for homelessness in Acuña aren’t readily available. However, across Mexico, about 45% of urban residents live in informal settlements, which often lack proper housing or infrastructure. Throughout the city there are neighborhoods (clusters) of houses that are sold but most often are built using poor quality materials and cutting corners. Homes start to deteriorate within a year at most, leaving owners are stuck living in this poorly built house and a big payment they must make on a monthly basis.

Illiteracy & Education

Mexican illiteracy rate is at 4.7% (about 4.4 million people), in Coahuila overall, the illiteracy rate is lower at 1.97%, Due to rapid population growth, building companies have started building new neighborhoods. The state has not kept up with this rapid growth and schools have become a second priority. Children from these neighborhoods don’t have a school close by to attend. Parents are having to pay transportation for their children to be able to go to school. Many times, parents can’t afford to pay for transportation for all their children, they prioritize sending the male child. Female children are left behind to roam the streets.

– Cases of pregnancy are reported among girls ages 12 an d13, although the14-year-old group has the highest incidences. Preventing pregnancy among girls and adolescents remains a challenge, especially in relation to sexual violence and access to health information and services. (sexual violence is a major factor in pregnancies among girlsand adolescents).

Drug Addiction & Crime

Ciudad Acuña has reported a 15% increase in crime, especially linked to drug trafficking, with risks noticeable at night. The roaming of the streets has made it very easy for children and youth to become addicted to drugs. Drug labs have popped up in several neighborhoods in Acuña as well as underage prostitution.

Femicides (Violence Against Women)

In early 2024, Acuña recorded a femicide rate of 2.38 per 100,000 women, part of a broader rise in Coahuila. The state has seen 167 femicides from 2013 to 2023. Coahuila’s number of female homicides is growing rapidly, with at least 8 femicides in the state by May 2024, and 5 of those occurred in Acuña. Most of the women were young and pregnant.

Suicide

Coahuila currently averages one suicide per day, ranking it the 4th highest in the country (10.9 per 100,000 people). Male suicide rate is particularly high (8 men for every 2 women daily).

Employment

About 60% of the city of Acuña and the surrounding areas are considered lower middle class.
*28.8% of Acuña lives in poverty.
-25.5% of the population lives in moderate poverty.
-3.3% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
Minimum wage in Acuña is $419 ($20 dollars) pesos a day.
The unemployment rate is about 30 %; most of this unemployment is comprised of people over the age of 45 with medical conditions.

Social Depravations

*Lack of access to social medicine and welfare

*Food access-30% of the population suffered because of social deprivations, 10.2% were vulnerable due to low income.

*Child poverty-1 in 4 children grow up in poverty.

Note: Source for the above information comes from Pastora Vicky Cisneros, Director for the religious department in Acuña.