OneEarth Jubilee organizes for study, reflection, and action in Circles of 2-6 people. Currently, there are Jubilee Circles in San Diego, California, another in San Cristobal, Chiapas (MX), a third in San Mateo, Puebla (MX), and a fourth in Tapachula, Chiapas (MX). You are encouraged to form a new Circle where you live. The small book Jubilee Circles: Help Save Life on Our Planet is available free to all and tells the story of Circles and how they practice the biblical Jubilee. The following actions of the Circles are not comprehensive of their rich and effective ministries, but samplings.

San Diego, California, US Jubilee Circle —

  1. Focuses on relationships with U.S. donors to Jubilee through letters and phone calls. Donations are redistributed to the Circles as agreed upon annually by the Circle participants and the Board.
  2. Planning trips to Mexico with delegations of interested U.S. people.
  3. Facilitating monthly Jubilee Forums with special guests.
  4. Led by volunteer Development Director Richard Lawrence, a team of U.S. and Mexico Circle participants is working on major funding made necessary by the many successes in ministries in JEM’s first 25 years (2000-2025).

San Cristobal, Chiapas, MX Jubilee Circle —

…subdivides into three distinct ministries: Alter-Nativas, Yobel School, Na’Xajobal.

  1. Alter-Nativas holds workshops on making homemade products instead of buying them commercially; also on mushroom farming. Leaders Isai and Lindsey also oversee the regional use of the alternative currency, Tumín. Isai is also a political artist serving many other groups working on justice.
  2. Yobel School provides training seminars in progressive theology and biblical studies; also social and ecological ministry throughout Chiapas and southern Mexico. A non-campus school, Yobel goes to where the students live and work in congregations, usually underserved, rural, and poor. Director Pedro also writes and speaks at various Latin American events.
  3. Na’Xajobal focuses on empowering women economically, politically, and in faith. and Indigenous peoples. Leader Gloria is Indigenous and also works with Indigenous peoples forms community groups who determine their needs and identify the resources that meet those needs. She livestreams a show on Facebook where she teaches Bible and interviews impactful voices to give them greater audience. Most of Na’Xajobal’s ministries grow out of communities that gather to address needs of women in a machismo culture.

San Mateo, Puebla, MX, Jubilee Circle —

  1. The Centro Cultural Dan Swanson opens its doors to an array of activities: youth meetings, weekly children’s breakfasts and activities; taekwondo classes; Sunday worship; and more.
  2. Angelica, a physician, sees patients with little if any access to the medical system. She offers medications, consultation, and prayer. When teaching, she emphasizes valuing our natural resources, preserving the flora and fauna of our community, and fighting against the voracity of the human devastations.
  3. Artesanas Shalom continues to be a place where women find and hone their artistic and business abilities. They now have many years as a cooperative of women artisans. This is extra important because women are experiencing an uptick in violence and death for being … women.
  4. David, Mariana, and Karina all have professional jobs as well as volunteering for activities at the Centro Cultural. In 2025, David had a job in the state government through which he facilitated a signing of the Earth Charter. Signatories were the state of Puebla, the Autonomous University of Puebla, civic organizations, businesses, and nonprofits of which Jubilee was one.

Tapachula, Chiapas, MX, Jubilee Circle — 

  1. In 2022, long-time JEM Advisor Edman moved with his wife, Rosy, and two children from Toluca, MX where they were in a secure ministry, to Tapachula, Chiapas, and began a free-lance ministry.
  2. Immigration occupied them in the first years because Tapachula is a major border crossing point from Guatemala.
  3. They serve several rural congregations in the mountains outside of Tapachula, small congregations that do not have the finances to support a pastor.
  4. Edman also teaches people from congregations and supports pastors who are more progressive than the national church body.
  5. Because of the very conservative theology and practice of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, Edman is part of a hundred or so pastors and leaders who support one another and teach progressive theology.