About ZMDM

Why We Serve

Many Mayan believers lack access to discipleship and ministry training in their own language and villages. Zona Maya Discipleship Ministry (ZMDM) exists to change that by making the School of Ministry accessible to every Christian believer in the Zona Maya, regardless of their background.

Our mission is to equip and unite believers through solid teaching in God’s Word so they can confidently share Jesus and impact their communities. Join us in bringing hope and transformation to the Mayan people.

We do this by establishing Bible Schools that strengthen believers in their faith and build up the Christian community. We plan to build a discipleship center where we can host conferences and provide a safe place for believers to grow and be equipped. We also host mission teams, meet regularly with local pastors, and work together to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Mayan people of all ages.

Contact Us
  • Group of graduates in blue gowns and gold stoles throwing caps in an outdoor setting with palm trees and a cloudy sky.

    ZMDM Bible Schools

    Our Bible schools equip disciples through the ISOM model, grounding them in God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Each school is a place where lives are transformed and leaders are raised up to advance God’s Kingdom.

  • Group of women and children smiling for a photo indoors, with flags of Mexico and the United States hanging in the background.

    Host a Team

    We welcome mission teams to join us for a week of ministry, sharing the Gospel, serving through conferences and outreach, and creating space for God’s Word, prayer, and healing to transform lives.

  • Person squatting in a forested area, planting small plants in the soil.

    ZMDM Facility

    We are stepping out in faith to build a ministry training center that will equip and send out disciples for God’s Kingdom. The vision is clear, the faith is strong, and we are trusting the Lord to provide the remaining funding to bring it to life.

A family of six standing on a wooden bridge in a park with trees in the background. Two adults and four children are smiling for the photo.

Meet Our Team


  • Board President

    Zuriel Garcia serves as the President of Zona Maya Discipleship Ministry (ZMDM). A graduate of Liberty University with an MBA, he combines a love for serving Jesus, discipleship, and leadership to serve others. Originally from Mexico, his heart for Jesus and his homeland help drive the vision for ZMDM's growth and service to the local community.

    Zuriel is married to his wife, Kimberly, and is a proud father of three young children—Oliver, Brooklyn, and Alexander. Alongside his leadership in ZMDM, Zuriel is also an active member of Southbrook Church in Weddington, NC, where he continues to grow his faith and live in community with his church family.


  • Chairman of the Board

    Rusty has been a part of ZMDM since the very beginning. He has been a major encouragement to the people here and walked with Bennie by faith in this region.

Three women at a graduation ceremony, with two graduates in blue caps and gowns holding diplomas, and a woman in a floral dress and pink blazer standing between them.


  • Board Member, Secretary-Treasurer

    Sandra is a retired speech language pathologist, was married for 13 years to the late Bennie  Franklin Fisher, founder of Zona Maya Discipleship Ministry. Upon Bennie’s death in 2016, the board of directors appointed Sandra as President  of the ministry.

    Sandra, in honor of her husband’s legacy, continued the ministry and served as president from 2016 through 2025. Sandra continues to be actively involved in the ministry and now serves as secretary-treasurer. Sandra is an active member of Joy Church located in Matthews,  North Carolina.

A man wearing glasses and a bright green shirt is playing an acoustic guitar, with a youngboy standing next to him holding a microphone close to the man's mouth. Several musical items and a banner are visible in the background.


  • Board Member

    Casey has a strong heart for missions and ministry. He has a special gift for worship and connecting people with the Father’s love. He and his wife, Dawn have served with us by leading teams and prayerfully encouraging us as the Lord leads.


  • Pastor Miguel has been serving faithfully with ZMDM for over 22 years and in ministry for over 45 years. He has been a pastor, a father, and a friend to many.

    Currently he has four grandchildren and loves spending time with them!


  • Israel Luna is one of three sons of Pastor Miguel and Marcelina Luna. Israel has been serving faithfully in the ministry since 2013 and grew up serving as a family. One of Israel’s favorite areas to focus on is leadership and seeing churches be equipped to rise above, and walk in faith as the Lord leads.

    Israel is married to Emily and they have a precious son, named Kairos (meaning God’s perfect timing).

Partner Ministries


  • Quest Ministries is a non-profit organization based in Monroe, NC that focuses on ministering to youth. Their  goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for young people to grow in their faith and learn life skills that will help them become successful adults. They host various events throughout the year, including an annual summer camp, conferences, and trips to Mexico. Their team is dedicated to creating a positive impact on the lives of young people in our community.


  • Just for You Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization focused on missions to the spanish speaking. The Ministry is located in Prague, Oklahoma. Mission teams are led and organized  by Pat Meyer and her daughter Paula Brown.



  • Joy Church is located in Matthews, North Carolina, and is an intergenerational, multicultural army of Spirit-filled worshippers who know their identity in Christ and walk in His authority and power! Leaders are Pastors Luke Faw and McLean Faw.


  • Life Church from Charlotte, NC is one of our valued ministry partners, standing with us in the vision of equipping disciples and advancing God’s Kingdom. Rooted in the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, Life Church shares our heart for revival and leadership training. Together, we are raising up leaders, supporting missions, and seeing lives transformed by the Gospel both locally and globally.

 FAQs

  • Our mission is to train, equip, prepare and enable pastors, leaders, missionaries and Mayan Christians to communicate the gospel. Also to encourage and assist a growing, caring and vibrant Mayan Christian community.

  • You can give securely online, or by mailing a check to:

    Zona Maya Discipleship Ministry
    1501 Heather Ln
    Monroe, NC 28110

  • There have been 74 generations as of August 2025 and there are currently 4 Bible Schools going through the core program.

  • If God is stirring your heart to serve, we would love to hear from you! Whether it’s through teaching, prayer, evangelism, or simply coming alongside what the Lord is doing in the Zona Maya, there is a place for you here. Please reach out to us through our contact page, we’d be honored to connect, pray with you, and explore how you can be part of the ministry.

  • Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. Please join us in asking the Lord to:

    • Strengthen and encourage our leaders and students as they grow in the Word.

    • Provide the resources needed to build the ministry training center.

    • Open hearts in the Zona Maya to receive the Gospel.

    • Cover our teams and partners with protection, unity, and fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.

    Your prayers are a vital part of advancing God’s Kingdom with us, thank you for standing in the gap.

In Loving Memory

  • In 1999 Ben Fisher felt impressed by God to establish a school of ministry for the Mayan people in Mexico.  

    He did not have a specific place. He did not know the language. He did not know anyone in the country. Yet, Ben Fisher moved to Mexico in 2000 in obedience to the call of God. 

    The Lord led Ben to Zona Maya and Ben followed. Located in the heart of Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche Zona Maya is composed mainly of peasant communities inhabited by the descendants of the Mayan people. 

    Soon after, Ben met William May, an English speaking Mayan. William drove Ben to villages and spoke on his behalf to the people; sharing God's vision for a school of ministry. 

    God opened doors and connected Ben with Pastors in Mexico, across all Christian denominations, whom were eager and excited to establish ministry schools in their communities. During this time there were few Christian churches and no ministry schools accessible to believers in remote villages. 

    God has used ZMDM to support over 74 graduating classes through out the Zona Maya. But there is still a very large group of believers to be discipled and the numbers continue to grow. 

    The mission of ZMDM (Zona Maya Discipleship Ministries) remains the same, to make the School of Ministry accessible to every Christian believer of every background.

    The ethnic, economic and academic background of a believer should not be an obstacle to be properly discipled in the Word of God, and to be given a strong foundation in the Scriptures, which will provide the beliver with the confidence to make other disciples and to impact their community for Jesus Christ. 

    Through respect and honor ZMDM is also committed to provide its School of Ministry to all Christian denominations, encouraging believers to set divisions aside and bringing unity in the study of the scriptures. 

    For the remainder of his life, Ben would travel the United States sharing God's mission, the vision of ZMDM, and inviting pastors, churches, Christian leaders and anyone whom would listen to come and help our overwhelenexpand the Gospel in Zona Maya. 

    God gave Ben Fisher the opportunity to see with His eyes, communities . And to love others with His heart. Our brothers and sisters in Christ 

    2003 – pastor Miguelito and his family, currently Leader and face of the Zona Maya Ministries in Mexico.

    2007 - When the ministry became a Non-Profit. In the same year the ministry became involved with the International School of Ministry in San Bernardino to officially open schools in Mexico. Rights were obtained from ISOM to open the schools and distribute the material.

    Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

  • From Gerald Broome:

    Marcelina was always alongside her husband Pastor Miguel Luna we have ministered for 21 years. Such a beautiful couple! Marcelina loved ministering via worship, praying, healing, speaking the Word of God. Dedicated wife, nurturing mom to three Godly men and one granddaughter, tremendous servant’s heart, greatest cook in Mexico, an awesome Lady. Marce loved her family and so enjoyed seeing her boys ministering. We praise God for the time we had together. So many tremendous times, memories. We laughed, prayed, preached, worshiped, cried, ate and fellowshipped. Such a congenial host as she often had us in her home. We shall truly miss her!

Contact Us