South Regional Representatives

Since 1994, Jose and Audrey Bañales, missionaries with the Mission Society for United Methodists, have been working jointly with OMS International in Mexico. After a year in Costa Rica for Audrey’s language training, they arrived in Mexico City in 1995 where they were involved in church planting with the OMS Mexico missionary team and the national church, United Families in Christ (UNIFAM).

After working in several of the UNIFAM churches, they directed the English Ministry program during their second term. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has been an effective evangelism tool that reaches into the homes, schools and businesses of non-Christian Mexicans. Private classes were held in homes and, as a community service, they provided English classes in public and private schools to students from junior high to university level. The English Ministry also reached into businesses like Wal-Mart and Jafra Cosmetics teaching English to management level personnel. Developing trust and relationships with non-Christian students and their families were key factors in leading students to Christ and into a relationship with the local church.

Directing the English Ministry also meant coordinating short-term and long-term workers from the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. Young college-age workers and “finishers” (older retired adults looking for ministry opportunities) were coordinated into English classes that best suited them and Mexican students.

Visiting college and church teams from the U.S., Canada and Great Britain were also hosted by them and involved in different areas of ministry with the OMS Mexico team. Teams were involved in teaching English, working at construction sites, visiting homes with evangelism teams, organizing sports clinics and participating in Vacation Bible School programs. Besides physical and ministry work, the teams were given cultural and religious orientation specific to Mexico and given many opportunities to be among Christian and non-Christian Mexicans.

Beginning their third term with OMS International in 2004, Jose and Audrey are serving as the South Central Regional Representatives covering six states; Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. They are working from Tulsa, OK where their home church is First UMC.

Missionary ID #801818