Rancho Altamira Christian Center has a long history of faith and service. American missionaries Rodney and Maysel Northrup first arrived to Saltillo, Mexico, in January 1950 with a vision and passion to bring thousands to Christ through Bible-based teaching. As their mission field and family grew in the city, the Northrups decided they needed a larger space to accommodate their activities.
They purchased and moved to Rancho Altamira in 1959, a ranch outside Saltillo surrounded by mountains that reminded Maysel of her home in Montana. Since then, the property has become a spiritual center for the training and worship of multiple churches and missionaries.
The Lord’s work started by Rodney and Maysel is continued by their descendants that are now into the fourth generation. Here’s a look at the events that have been held at the center since it was founded:
• Operating center and living quarters for students, and faculty members of Saltillo Christian School (SCS).
• Summer Christian camps for boys, girls, youth, and families
• Vacation Bible School training retreats
• Easter sunrise services
• Summer missions recruit program for US Bible college students
• Housing for mission groups
• Way station for missionaries traveling to and from the border
• Living space and quarters for missionaries and indigenous Christian workers
• Family outings (Most notable was Penitentiary prisoners and their families)
• 1976- Present: National Men’s Christian (CONALVA)
• Mexican National Family Missionary Convention
• Regional youth rallies
• English school for missionary children
• Annual National Missionary Reunion
• Weekend spiritual retreats
• 1983 Colegio Biblico Alumnus Couples’ Retreat and other regional couples’ retreats throughout the years
Recent events (2013-2023)
• Meeting place for Iglesia De Cristo Rancho Altamira (IDC)
• Fifth Sunday church rallies
• Baptisms, Weddings, Birthday Parties, Baby and Wedding Showers, Family reunions, Planning Meetings
• Local IDC and regional youth meetings
• Weekly Monday night men’s Bible study
• Off and on farming projects: alfalfa, sorghum, fruits trees, cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, turkeys, horses, donkeys, cats, and dogs.
• Storage accommodations during the pandemic for local churches
• Large welding, carpentry, and marble workshop
