A pastor and his wife have been shot dead outside their home in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Ángel González, senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Irapuato, and Irán Montes died at the scene after two gunmen opened fire on the morning of 15 October.  

The pastor had just returned from officiating a funeral, as per Calvary Chapel Magazine.

It is understood that Mexican authorities are investigating the shooting as a robbery which turned fatal. A man has been arrested on suspicion of double homicide, according to Milenio.

A statement from the Calvary Chapel organisation said: “The church is heartbroken and in desperate need of our prayers and support. The Calvary Chapel families all around Mexico are grieving. Please pray for this church and for the loved ones that are left behind.”

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Calvary Chapel Irapuato shared a gospel message in response to the shooting: “In the midst of grief, our hearts find comfort in God’s promises. However, this moment also invites us to reflect on a truth we must not forget: our life is precious and we need to be spiritually prepared, seeking God while we still have the opportunity. 

“The Bible reminds us that God is not indifferent to our pain; he loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.”

The husband and wife are survived by 18-year-old son Matthew and 17-year-old daughter Dorothy.