The Beginnings

We began this journey in November of 2015, in the small town of Chalchuapa, El Salvador. We had been invited by about 15 pastors to meet and explore new opportunities for the church that would have a greater impact on their communities. Our first meeting was held in a school where soldiers arrived daily to enforce a safe environment for students. In this school, we began our journey of ministry.

El Salvador, Central America’s smallest country, boasts of beautiful landscapes and hardworking people. It also suffers from gang violence and lack of opportunity, forcing many people to migrate to other countries.

Sharing peace with students

As we began working with this group of pastors in Chalchuapa, we quickly discovered the need for a new vision of sharing the Gospel with young people. Our churches were active and strong, yet violence and migration continued to mark many families. As we dialogued, the demand became clear: we, as Christians, needed to create a new program that showed how our faith can provide practical solutions to the daily challenges of students. As this program took shape, with help and input from a diverse group of leaders, we decided to name it “Misión Vida y Paz” (MVP), which in English means “Mission Life and Peace.”

Partners in Mission

We, Eliberto and Molly, began this journey of ministry with MVP without knowing the path God was preparing for us. What started as a part-time “on the side” project quickly gained momentum, demanding more time, energy, and resources. After just three months in our first school, MVP was asked to share with students in a second and third school, finishing our first school year with 

Building friendships to create change in schools

about 40 volunteers impacting over 1500 students. By the end of the second year we had expanded into a second town, working with more churches, volunteers, and students. God’s work was multiplying.

We felt a strong calling to serve as leaders of MVP and facilitate its growth, but conflicted by our limited time and resources. As we prayed for guidance and sought support from friends and family internationally, we were connected with Adalia Gutierrez Lee, the regional director for Iberoamerica of International Ministries (IM). In conversations we quickly found that MVP and IM shared common dreams of working together to build God’s kingdom of peace and justice as partners in mission.

Growing the Family

In 2018 we responded in faith and moved to the United States to complete our application process with International Ministries and to define our role as partners with IM in mission in El Salvador. We left behind our friends, family, and ministry in El Salvador, trusting that we would return ready to dedicate ourselves full time to the work of MVP. Our decision to join with IM was driven by our desire to expand our mission to reach more students throughout the entire country.

Last month we had the privilege of visiting the IM offices to complete our new Global Servants orientation. We met many partners for the journey and were encouraged by their support and faith in God’s work for transformation in El Salvador. 

Learning to resolve conflicts

Now, as part of the IM team, we are given the task of raising the financial and spiritual support needed to sustain our service as missionaries and grow the ministry of MVP.

In El Salvador, we encourage our group of MVP volunteers to refer to themselves as “The MVP Family.” Together, we form a bond of love, support, and trust that guides us on our journey. Now, we invite many more, like you, to join our MVP family. This family unites in God’s great mission to bring shalom to El Salvador. Please prayerfully consider joining the MVP family as we journey together in mission.

We look forward to partnering in God’s mission!

Shalom,

Molly & Eliberto