In the troubled fringes of the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, an aspiring priest is using his faith to reach out to young gang members and at-risk youth, and bring them into his "Gang of Christ."
Less than 200 kilometers from the U.S. border, Monterrey is a wealthy city of corporate trailblazers. But violence is never far away on the outskirts, where bricklayers and factory workers walk poorly lit streets to reach simple cinderblock homes.
. Garcia, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jose Luis Guerra, 34, also walks those pathways, searching for young gang members who might listen to his message.
It is a risky vocation: although violence in Monterrey has fallen from the bloody peaks of 2011, an unknown man pacing the streets after dark still risks being construed as a threat.
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
"My alba is my shield," Guerra says, referring to his white religious robes.
Sometimes seen in his Superman logo baseball cap, Guerra is a deacon, and will be ordained as a priest in mid-August.
. Garcia, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Guerra bumps fists with the young boys and girls he meets, and when he talks to them, he sounds more like a psychologist than a priest. Given to cracking jokes, he says of his considerable girth: "It just means that I am full of love."
. Guadalupe, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Often he visits the backstreets with some of his 15 fellow missionaries, two-thirds of whom are ex-gang members themselves.
The process of becoming a missionary means renouncing not necessarily the gang, but acts that Guerra says devalue people as human beings: theft, assault, insult and, in some cases, murder.
This is followed by three days at 'camp' where candidates must reflect on their lives and commitment to Christ; then, seven weeks at missionary school and finally, upon graduation, a party complete with cumbia dance music.
. Garcia, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
The official ceremony takes place in a public square, where Guerra explains the responsibilities that come with the job, then presents a Bible to the kneeling subjects.
. Garcia, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
A few weeks must pass before the newly-minted missionaries can begin visiting neighbourhoods - first Guerra and the others must tell local gangs the new recruits are no longer their enemies. Instead, he says, they are now members of the "Gang of Christ."
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Slideshow
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Young people, who attend the meetings of Raza Nueva in Christ, spend time at a park.
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jaziel and Plasma, both attending the meetings of Raza Nueva in Christ, tour a flea market.
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
A barber gives a haircut to a young man, both attending the meetings of Raza Nueva in Christ.
. Escobedo, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Daniel, who attends the meetings of Raza Nueva in Christ, poses for a picture to show a scar on his face, at his home.
. Escobedo, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Daniel sits on his bed.
. Monterrey, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jose Luis Guerra blesses a woman with diabetes at her home.
. Monterrey, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jose Luis Guerra checks shoes at a second hand shop.
. Monterrey, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jose Luis Guerra prays with residents while blessing their house.
. Monterrey, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Jose Luis Guerra drives his car towards a neighbourhood in the municipality of Garcia.
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Young people listen to members of Raza Nueva in Christ.
. Garcia, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Catholic priest Jose Luis Fernandez blesses a young woman.
. Juarez, MEXICO. Reuters/Daniel Becerril
Members of Raza Nueva in Christ (rear) arrive to a neighbourhood to talk to people.