Thousands Of Christians Thank God For 32 Years Of Peace In Mexico’s Chiapas

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, MEXICO (Worthy News) – With Christmas approaching, thousands of Christians, many of them from Indigenous communities, marched near Mexico’s southern border “to thank God” for decades of relative peace in the Mexican state of Chiapas, despite reported acts of violence in recent years.

The “Thanksgiving March to God for 32 Years of Peace in Chiapas” took place in early December, with participants walking from the eastern side of the state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, toward the city’s Central Park, organizers said.

Participants said the march was held “to give thanks” for peace in the state following the brief “Zapatista uprising” in 1994, when armed Tzotzil, Tzeltal, and Tojolabal groups demanded rights and recognition as Indigenous peoples.

Organizers described the gathering as “an expression of gratitude for the tranquility God has granted Chiapas” since the conflict.

Pastors and believers from states across the country—including Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Nuevo León, Baja California, Oaxaca, the State of Mexico, and Mexico City—joined the march, local media reported.

WORSHIP, PRAYER, AND INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION

Carrying white balloons as a symbol of peace, participants held signs reading “God Is Love,” “God Heals Our Land,” “We Pray for Tuxtla Gutiérrez,” and “God Bless Chiapas,” Worthy News monitored.

Members of the Tzotzil, Chol, Tojolabal, and Tzeltal peoples, many dressed in traditional clothing, joined in worship songs in their native languages.

Among them was Pastor Mario Choj of San Juan Chamula, who prayed in Tzotzil for peace in Chiapas and across Mexico, according to reports.

The event was part of several December activities held under the theme “One and a Thousand Reasons to Thank God for Peace.”

“Praise and worship” during the gathering were led by psalmist Tomás Reyes, the sierreño group Clave 3.16, and musicians Erik Portal, Tony Pérez, and the Shekina RAV ministry, organizers explained.

PRAYERS FOR AUTHORITIES AND SOCIAL STABILITY

During the central gathering, participants prayed for state authorities and local and federal lawmakers, asking that decisions be guided by justice and a commitment to social well-being.

Speakers emphasized the Christian faith, as well as “peace, unity, legality, and dialogue,” as pillars of community life and family development.

Pastor Josué Pérez Pardo, who helped organize the events as leader of the Jesucristo Esperanza Segura ministry, said the march was “also motivated by recent outbreaks of violence” in parts of Chiapas, including the Altos region, the northern zone, and municipalities such as La Concordia and Comalapa.

He also cited concerns over religious intolerance and rising social insecurity, while stressing that the march was intended as a “peaceful, faith-based response.”

More than 30,500 cases of internal displacement linked to religious conflicts were documented in Chiapas between 1974 and 2016, said Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission.

FORCED TO FLEE DESPITE RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Government statistics show Chiapas is Mexico’s most religiously diverse state.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicate that as of 2020, 32.4 percent of the population identified as Protestant or evangelical, the highest share in the country, with Catholics accounting for 53.9 percent.

Yet Christian groups say religiously motivated tensions have at times forced families to flee their homes.

Despite frictions, participants said the march and surrounding events reaffirmed their belief that peace in Chiapas is a gift from God that must be preserved through prayer, unity, and community commitment.

Pastors announced plans for monthly prayer gatherings in different municipalities. They said prayers were also offered for migrants traveling through Chiapas’ border region and for Central American countries affected by violence.

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