In the year 1969, on the 10th day of March, missionaries Len and Faye Hopkins arrived on the island of Jamaica to start a work in the parish of Westmoreland. In the beginning, the emphasis was working with the children and youth. Little by little, adults were won to Christ and they soon became involved in the ministry. In September, of the same year, a school was founded for high school students. The school offered courses on the high school level and was recognized by the Secretary of Education. Three years later, the Bible Institute was added to prepare pastors. During the school year 1975-76, there were 125 students enrolled in the school. A total of 300 students studied in the school. In 1976, due to political unrest on the island, Len and Faye returned to Florida.

 

After they arrived in Florida, they returned to teach at Jupiter Christian School. However, feeling the call to foreign missions, they started sharing the Word of God among the Mexican illegals in Indiantown, Florida. Among the men who attended, were six men from the state of Michoacán. They invited Len and Faye to visit their village. It was in this village that there was no running water or electricity. During the years 1977-79, they did not see much fruit for their labors due to three obstacles:

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1) They were the first Americans to penetrate the area.

2) They were the first evangelical Christians in that area.

3) Opposition and persecution by the Roman Catholic priests.

 

In 1980, Len and Faye moved to the state of Sinaloa. The fruits of their labors are as follows:

1) evangelization in ten villages.

2) The establishment of several missions.

3) The instruction of eight students in the newly formed Mexican Bible Institute.

4) The construction of two churches. One church is located on the main avenue in the city of Guamuchil.

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In 1989, Len and Faye moved to the state of Jalisco where they founded a church in Zapopan (Guadalajara). The same church was used for the Bible Institute.

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In 1993, the labors of Len and Faye have resulted in the formation of the religious association, IGLESIA BIBLICA ANTIOQUIA, registration number SGAR/87/93. This means that their churches are completely recognized by the government.

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On May 1994, Len and Faye’s son, Wesley and his wife Esther, went to Michoacán to work as missionaries. The results of their labors are:

1) The establishment of missions.

2) The establishment of two churches. One church is in the city of Zacapu and the other in the Tarascan Indian village of Zipiajo.

3) The establishment of the camp - CAMPAMENTO ANTIOQUIA.

4) The establishment of the Zamora Church under our mexican missionaries.

5) The establishment of the Franco Reyes and Villa Jiménez missions.

6) The reestablishment of the Bible Institute in Zacapu where they are currently preparing students for the ministry.