Our Impact

Mexico

The Problem

Mexico is considered a source, destination, and transit country for human trafficking, whereby victims are sent from, to, and through Mexico for the purposes of labor and sex trafficking.
In 2012, Mexico implemented a comprehensive federal anti-trafficking law. Many of the states have also incorporated anti-trafficking regulations. In Mexico City, they have begun to train hotel staff on how to look for signs of human trafficking. This all points toward a growing effort on the part of Mexico to combat human slavery.
Men, women, and children are exploited in forced labor in agriculture, domestic servitude, child care, manufacturing, mining, food processing, construction, tourism, forced begging, and street vending in Mexico and the United States. Women, men, girls, and boys are sex trafficked within Mexico and transported as sex slaves around the world.

ZOE’s Current Work in Mexico

The evangelical population of Mexico is under 10%. Most grow up as Catholics but do not consistently follow Jesus. ZOE Mexico is located in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is considered to be a crossroad for human trafficking as a source, destination, and transit state for this crime. ZOE has begun to work in Child Trafficking Prevention. ZOE’s goal is to spread awareness of child trafficking first, as most Mexican citizens are largely unaware of the child slavery around them. Next, ZOE Mexico is educating children, parents, vulnerable communities, social workers, pastors, and the Christian body on how to protect themselves and others from the dangers of human trafficking.

Donate to Mexico

Evangelism

Every December, ZOE Mexico conducts festivals in several States called “Feliz cumpleaños.” It means “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” The focus is not on ZOE or any organization but only on the birth of Christ. The Christian entertainment is spectacular, and thousands attend. Over several hours, people hear testimonies, and the Gospel is preached. Many come to Christ. Pastors from many churches are ready to disciple the new believers.

Discipleship

ZOE Mexico works closely with hundreds of pastors who disciple new believers.

Watch Why Mexico

Prevention

Prevention and Education

Raising awareness and doing Prevention training online, at conferences and events, and in schools.

Human Trafficking Curriculum

ZOE sends out educational content through social media that has a large impact on instructing people on the dangers of human trafficking.

ZOE has created a human trafficking prevention curriculum to be taught to schools in vulnerable communities throughout Mexico.

ZOE Mexico conducts live Prevention campaigns at schools, churches, businesses, and government agencies in Oaxaca and beyond.

Rescue

Child Trafficking Victims

ZOE is planning to expand rescue efforts in the future as the Lord opens doors. For now, we will continue praying for and supporting local authorities in Mexico.

Restoration

Children’s Home

ZOE is collaborating with the Mexican government to build a safe home for the restoration of survivors of child trafficking.

Our Mexican Missionaries and Staff

Pastor Mauricio Ruiz

Staff, Director of ZOE Mexico

Pastor Virginia Ruiz

Staff, Assistant Director of ZOE Mexico

Mexico News

A Modern Day Five Loaves & Two Fish Miracle in ZOE Mexico

May 27, 2026

Child Trafficking Prevention Discipleship Evangelism Mexico Prevention REACH Testimony ZOE International

We want to share this video testimony with you of a miracle that the ZOE Mexico team and our volunteers witnessed at the Guelatao Boarding…

A Seat at the Table: Advancing the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Mexico

April 8, 2026

Child Trafficking Prevention Human Trafficking Awareness Trainings Leadership Mexico Partnerships Prevention Public Policy ZOE International ZOE Updates

There are moments in this work that feel like true turning points—moments when years of faith, persistence, and partnership begin to open doors that once…

Empowering Women to Protect the Next Generation: ZOE Mexico’s Impact in Monterrey

April 2, 2026

Child Trafficking Prevention Education Events Human Trafficking Awareness Mexico Partnerships Prevention ZOE International

Protecting children is one of the most powerful ways to combat human trafficking and education is at the heart of that mission. ZOE Mexico continues…

Empowering Children, Protecting Futures: How a Simple Card Game is Transforming Child Safety in Mexico

February 27, 2025

Child Trafficking Prevention Education Events Human Trafficking Awareness Trainings Mexico Missionaries Missions Prevention Special Projects ZOE International

ZOE Mexico is making a powerful impact in the fight against child sexual abuse with the Memorama of Zión el León & His Friends memory…