When Impact Founders/ Field Directors Les & Rita Peters moved from Canada to Guatemala, they had a dream of growing godly leaders. Today, students who studied in Vida School are leaders in the ministry:
When Rita and I moved to Guatemala in the year 2000, we had a dream. A dream to train Guatemalans for leadership. A dream that biblical principals would become so integrated into their lives, that these Guatemalan leaders would effect spiritual change in their society.
Our heart’s desire, as we arrived in Guatemala, was to disciple a group of men and women who would, in turn, disciple others.
25+ years ago, growing godly leaders was simply that – a dream.
Today, what we dreamed about is happening.
Students who once studied in Vida schools are now leaders in the ministry. Young Christian leaders have matured in their faith and are pouring into a new generation. Our Guatemalan leaders are inspiring others to come to know Christ and embrace that same vision. Transformation is happening: in individuals, in families, in communities.
From the beginning, we knew that in our own strength, we weren’t capable of accomplishing the vision.
But in His goodness and faithfulness, the Lord has led step by step, opening doors that we could have never opened ourselves and making a way where there seemed to be no way.
Perhaps most importantly, He connected us with people. People He had chosen to become leaders – men and women who would not only embrace the vision of growing godly leaders themselves, but inspire others to come to know Christ and embrace that same vision.
It’s been such a privilege to have front row seats as we watch the Lord work in hearts and transform lives. We stand in awe as we witness His grace break chains, restore hope, and call men and women into a new life of freedom and purpose in Christ.
In 2000, Impact Ministries began with just 5 teachers and 78 students.
Today, we look back with amazement and gratitude at all that the Lord has done.
The Lord has caused the ministry to grow exponentially. Today we have 193 teachers, principals, and other staff in Guatemala who are dedicated to seeing the power of Jesus Christ shatter the darkness that has oppressed the Poqomchi’ and Q’eqchi’ people for generations.
Each of these men and women has a testimony of how Jesus intervened in their own lives and personally set them free – and now they are sharing that same message with a new generation of children and young people who are being drawn to the liberty and freedom that is found only in Christ.
To God be the glory – for we know that this is His work and not our own.
For those of you who have prayed for Impact Ministries, who have sponsored children or classes, who have been involved in so many ways – these are your stories too. You have been part of this vision – some of you from the very beginning. Your prayers and gifts have been woven together into these lives and have become part of the fabric of this wonderful ministry.
What once seemed impossible is becoming reality – and you are part of it.
Every child who has come to know Christ, every family that has been restored, every young person who has discovered God’s calling upon their life, every leader who has stepped forward in faith – you have had a part in that story.
But the dream doesn’t stop here. Among our leaders in Guatemala, and among many of our friends and supporters in North America, there is a growing sense that the work, as marvelous as it already is, has only just begun.
This new generation of Guatemalans is eager. Many are ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
As we listen to these young men and women speak of what God is placing on their hearts, we cannot help but believe that the Lord is preparing to do even greater things in the years ahead.
Will you join this story that is still being written? Will you walk alongside the faithful leaders that God is raising up in Guatemala? Your gifts will be part of the exciting chapters that are still to come.
The God who has done immeasurably more than we could have asked or imagined over these past 25+ years is not finished yet.
And by God’s grace, the most exciting chapters may still lie ahead.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for giving.
Thank you for believing that God can do what seems impossible.
Thank you for walking alongside us, and alongside our teachers and leaders in Guatemala.
(Can we introduce you to some of the Guatemalan leaders whose stories you’ve been part of? Meet our Guatemalan operations managers and each of our department heads and principals here.)