Our Story
Jemez Mountain Baptist Church is located in the Jemez Mountains west of Santa Fe, New Mexico, nestled in a valley in La Cueva near the Valles Caldera. This mission was supported by the First Baptist Church of Los Alamos.
It was founded as a mission August 23, 1998 by John Marc and Debbie Church, sent by the Baptist Mission Board as U2 missionaries. They started meeting at homes and then in the Cueva Fire Station. Bill McGarity pastored the mission from 1992 until his retirement in 1998 when Homer Southerland became interim pastor.
In January 2002, Eric Larson, a long time member of the mission, became pastor. He and his wife, Debbi, and three children ministered to the families of La Cueva, Rancho de La Cueva, and Sierra Los Pinos until October of 2023- a 21-year faithful term. Eric and Debbi still reside in the neighborhood and continue their ministry in retirement.
In November of 2023, a new pastor was elected to continue in Eric’s place. The new pastor, Ryan Rettinger, was already a member of the church and community for about 2yrs. at the time of his appointment.
The church continues to conduct the Lord’s business, serving families and teaching the truth of Jesus Christ.
The Mission constituted as a Church in January 2004 and began plans for a building. Land was purchased next to State Road 126 in La Cueva, a well was dug, and final plans were drawn up for the new building. In May 2006 we dedicated and began services in our new church .