Vida Nueva Ministries — Organization Profile
Vida Nueva Ministries is a Christian nonprofit ministry serving communities in Mexico with the stated mission of “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Disadvantage Through Christ.” The ministry exists to help people develop a personal relationship with Jesus while operating practical programs that address physical, social, educational, and spiritual needs. Its work combines outreach, Christian education, church planting, leadership development, benevolence, and discipleship.
The ministry’s roots are in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, where Jair and Norma Castillo began serving in the mid-1970s after moving into the El Ejido community. Vida Nueva Ministries formally opened in 1989 as an open meal program and children’s home serving people living near the city dump and children facing severe poverty. Over time, the ministry adapted its programs as community needs changed while continuing its emphasis on relational ministry and gospel-centered service.
Vida Nueva serves Mexico, with ministry locations and partnerships connected to Piedras Negras, Tepic, Acapulco, Cancún, and Puebla. Its programs are designed to create “relationship bridges” through which staff and local leaders can share the love of Christ. The ministry describes itself as an independent Christian ministry rather than a social agency, with practical outreach intended to support people while pointing them toward deeper spiritual hope and discipleship.
A major focus of Vida Nueva’s work is Christ-centered education and child sponsorship through the Life For Them Program, also called LIFT. The ministry has operated education programs in Piedras Negras, including preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school development. LIFT sponsorships help students with limited resources attend VNM schools or support outreach efforts such as open meal programs and food distribution.
Vida Nueva also works through church planting, church leadership development, open meal programs, medical care, food distribution, recreation, vocational skills training, and discipleship. Its outreach page describes church plants in Piedras Negras, Cancún, Tepic, and Acapulco, along with a commitment to planting reproducing churches throughout Mexico. The ministry also connects with Rio Bravo Christian Ministries, which has served border communities and works to strengthen churches, make disciples, and continue outreach in the region.
People can engage with Vida Nueva Ministries by praying, giving, sponsoring a student, joining a short-term mission trip, or contacting the ministry about church planting and outreach needs. Mission teams may serve at locations such as Piedras Negras, Tepic, Acapulco, or Cancún. Donations can support general ministry needs or specific locations, while sponsorships help students and children participate in ministry programs connected to education and open meals.
Key Links
- Website: https://vnmi.org/
- About: https://vnmi.org/about/
- Outreach Programs: https://vnmi.org/outreach/
- Mission Trips: https://vnmi.org/mission-trips/
- Sponsorships: https://vnmi.org/sponsorships/
- Student Sponsorship Portal: https://vnm.reachapp.co/sponsorships?status=unsponsored
- Donate: https://vnm.reachapp.co/donations/new
- Contact: https://vnmi.org/contact/
- Statement of Faith: https://vnmi.org/statement-of-faith/
- Rio Bravo Christian Ministries: https://vnmi.org/riobravo/
Contact Information
- Email: in**@**mi.org
- Phone: 830-773-0559
- Mailing Address: Vida Nueva Ministries, Inc., PO Box 7399, Eagle Pass, TX 78853 U.S.A.
- UPS/FedEx Deliveries: Vida Nueva Ministries, Inc., 71 Cary Rd., Eagle Pass, TX 78852
Socials
Leadership
- Jair Castillo and Norma Castillo — Senior Field Directors
- Elí García and Mandy García — Field Directors
- Gonzalo García — Missionary/Church Planter/Pastor in Tepic
- Sergio Ontiveros — Missionary/Church Planter/Pastor in Acapulco
- Israel Camara — Missionary/Pastor in Cancún
- Juan Lizarraga — Missionary/Pastor in Puebla
