When you think of God's grace Moisés and Lourdes immediately come to mind. They married without their parents approval (Lourdes was 24, Moisés 26), and soon problems began to arise that made home life unbearable. Even so, Moisés was able to build a successful business including a construction company, a Texaco dealership, and a retail outlet. All this was done prior to receiving an engineering degree from the University of Yucatan. It became obvious to Moisés and Lourdes that money was not the final solution to their problems.

One day, out of the blue (have you ever heard such a thing as God's providence?) Moisés decided to send his children to a Christian camp. Lourdes was very fearful this would be one more of Moisés tricks, so she decided to go as well. God used a godly man, Dr. Fernardo Vangionni, an Argentine evangelist, to bring Lourdes to saving faith. So, Lourdes became a Christian, but not Moisés.

Lourdes managed to convince Moisés to attend church. He entertained himself during the "boring worship service" with "all that bunch of hypocrites" rather than listen. But the Lord had his plan as He always does. He used only a few sermons to convict Moisés of his sin and bring him to his knees. Rev. Edesio Sánchez, a Yucatecan pastor, was God's instrument this time.

Moisés hated poverty with all his heart and the Christian ministry meant poverty. His father had been a poor pastor all his life. When the Lord called Moisés to work for the church full time, he fought the Lord. But, the Lord prevailed as He always does and Moisés surrendered. After a crash English course in Austin, TX, he enrolled in Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS. he graduated with a Masters in Divinity (1983) and a Masters in Christian Education (1984).

After six years of pastoral work in the Yucatan, and teaching at San Pablo Seminary, Mérida, the Zapatas crossed the Mexico/USA border again following God's leading. Soon after, in October 1990, Moisés became the MTW/MNA BEAMM Coordinator.

One Seminary, San Pablo Seminary –Campus Juárez, was started in Cd. Juárez, México, as well as three churches: Gracia y Paz, Vida Nueva, Tierra Prometida. Two churches were started in El Paso, TX: Christ the King, Oasis. Leadership training was started in Tijuana. A church in Laredo TX, was incorporated to BEAMM. A new church was started in Nuevo Laredo, México. The work in McAllen was consolidated, new facilities were built for the church. Many work-teams made the Mexican Border a training ground. A new understanding of mercy ministries began to arise.

In 2003, Moisés was sent to México to lead theological education. He worked with Caleb Dunn (Cd. Victoria), Joe Harrell (México City), and Pedro Ruiz (Guadalajara). Among other tasks, the education team developed a curriculum for Cd. Victoria. After one year in México City, Moisés and Lourdes moved to Mérida, in the Yucatán Península. There, Moisés taught at San Pablo Seminary while leading the education team. Also, a church about to die asked Moisés to help. Our Lord was gracious and the church started a sound recovery. Now, it has a regular attendance of 60+.