Why Paraguay

In 2005 God impressed upon my heart the calling to full-time foreign missions. It was at this time that I began a relationship with Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Through this relationship I have been so greatly encouraged to continue to follow the Lord’s leading wherever that might be to.

While attending Faith Baptist Bible College we were required to fulfill an internship and while plans fell through to partner with a ministry in Kenya, the Lord opened up for ministry in Paraguay. That internship consisted of seven weeks of hands on ministry training. Through this seven week adventure I was encouraged that Paraguay could be where God was leading full-time. I have never stopped praying for the Holy Spirit’s leading, it has always seemed that Paraguay was the destination he had for me.

In 2015 God blessed our family to adventure to Paraguay on a trip we called “Connections”. The goal of this mission was to see how Kathleen and our two children at the time would connect and adapt within a new country. This trip was nothing but amazing! Not only did it open connections into our lives, but it created many good connections into the lives of the people of Paraguay. Temperance and Jedidiah both did such an amazing job! While not understanding the language of Spanish, they understood the language of childhood laughter and play. On this trip we were blessed to have opportunities to serve with kids ministries, a time of testimony in Hope Christian School, and I was able to preach to the church and encourage them to keep growing and pressing forward.

At the close of this trip we asked the hard questions, “Does Paraguay even need us in the ministry?” When I sat down with Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar and asked this question, he answered with a tear in his eye, “YES!”

Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar has had a growing ministry since 1994. This ministry has grown into several church plants and even a Christian school for ages K-12. However, Pastor has bigger plans for Paraguay! The next step is to begin a Bible institute to help men and women of South America prepare for ministry service. We are excited to help in this next step of ministry with the church of Paraguay. Our prayer is to partner with nationals in church planting, discipleship and assisting with Theological training within the Bible institute.

How will you join in the ministry of Paraguay, South America?

Jaha Paraguay Pe!