Women pray together during La Misìon's Latina women's retreat. Photo courtesy of Rev. Marta Bolen
Mississippi Conference | Sept. 26, 2025
NEW ALBANY, Miss. — The Christ Cartel, or Cartel de Christo, is a new Latina women’s ministry in North Mississippi. The ministry was formed after a three-day Latina women’s retreat hosted by La Misìon, the Hispanic ministry at New Albany United Methodist Church. The gathering was held at Seashore Assembly, a Mississippi United Methodist camping ministry in Biloxi. During the retreat, Latina women – many who have come from traumatic backgrounds – were able to connect with a healing community. The bonds formed by these women have built a system of love and support that benefits both their families and the community.
The Christ Cartel is composed of Latina women from different nationalities united to bless and support their communities. Although the word "cartel" is often used in connection with organized crime, the Christ Cartel wanted to change that perception and be a positive and godly representation of the word.
“We are the Christ Cartel, in Spanish Cartel de Christo,” said Rev. Marta Bolen, founder of the Christ Cartel and pastor at La Misìon. “We are an alliance of Latina women sharing love for Christ, loving, embracing, supporting, organizing and belonging for Latino members of congregations.”
Rev. Marta Bolen, right, prays for immigrants with Bishop Lewis Logan, left, during the 2025 Annual Conference Session. Photo courtesy of Greg Campbell Photography, LLC.
Many of the women who attended the retreat were meeting each other for the first time. The theme of the retreat was “Finding My Peace.” Bolen explained the meaning behind the theme and the goal of the retreat.
“We Latinas face so much fear and anxiety in our communities due to immigration in addition to our roles as wives and mothers,” said Bolen. “During the retreat, we were able to discuss those fears and share life stories, and it allowed us to support and pray for one another.”
The retreat turned out to be life-changing for the women that attended. A woman who did not want to be identified and will be referred to as DJ tells us how she was blessed by her time at Seashore Assembly.
“It was a comforting space for us,” she said. “We had an incredible time together. We really started connecting in the van on the way there, and I felt Christ in every minute and in every person that was there. The other ladies showed me how to forgive the anger I had in my life and how to move on.”
Another woman who did not want to be identified and will be referred to as CG, spoke about how the retreat helped her to deepen her spiritual practice of prayer.
Retreat participants walk a prayer labyrinth. Photo courtesy of Rev. Marta Bolen
“While praying I saw how easy it was to lay my concerns at the Christ’s feet and trust him with those things,” she said.
According to Bolen, the Christ Cartel supports Latina women not only at La Misìon, but also in the community. The ministry helps people obtain proper documentation for work and school and offers support with child custody in cases of deportation. The ministry will soon open a headquarters in the parsonage at New Albany United Methodist Church and is looking to grow throughout the Mississippi Conference. If you would like to support the Christ Cartel or learn more about it email Rev. Marta Bolen at msobrino@gmail.com.