Where we work
Facts about Guatemala
Area: 108,890km.sq
Climate: Tropical
Capital: Guatemala City
Currency: Quetzal
People: 56% Ladino (Mixed Race/Spanish) and European Descent, 42% Mayan, other indigenous 2%
Main Languages: Spanish plus 23 other Indigenous Languages
Religion: 97% Christian (38% Protestant/Evangelical), 3% Mayan
Geography and climate
Much of the population are affected by the uncertainties of agricultural production – as well as by the natural disasters that affect the country. Guatemala lies within an earthquake zone, and is hit by hurricanes annually causing destructive flooding and mudslides.
Politics and economics
Statistics vary, but it is alleged that more than 200,000 people – most of them innocent civilians – were killed or ‘disappeared’ in the civil war that ended in 1996. The bases of rebel activity were mainly in the poor, rural areas, and hundreds of villages were razed; most of their inhabitants massacred and often tortured.
Rigoberta Menchú Tum became widely known as a leading advocate of the rights of indigenous peoples, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992.
People and society
Religion and the church
Ancient Mayan beliefs and rituals (ancestor worship and animistic beliefs) are still prevalent in rural indigenous areas, sometimes alongside or mixed with Roman Catholicism.
Latin Link's work in Guatemala
Current and ongoing needs are for help with children’s projects and homes, medical personnel, youth and student workers, theological education with a focus on integral mission, discipleship and English teachers.
More challenging and difficult areas are prison chaplaincy, ministry with gang members, education and church planting projects in poor and dangerous areas of the capital, and pioneer student workers to extend Christian witness in regional university bases.
There is a need for community development in rural areas: people to train others in how the church can be an agent of change in the local community and society.
Meet our team in Guatemala
Jordan and Zoe are completing an 18-month Stride placement, based in the town of San Lucas. Jordan is serving with Revive, a ministry which focuses on discipleship and the support
Jaime López and Ingrid de López
Jaime and Ingrid are preparing to serve in Spain as part of the Stride programme. They hope to arrive some time this year. CHURCH: IGLESIA EVANGÉLICA CRISTIANA VIDA NUEVA, LA
Jhonny is completing a 12 month Stride placement with St. Barnabas Church, in Winchester in the south of England. He is serving as their youth and community worker, helping with
Murielle completed her two-year Stride placement in September last year. She returns as a long-term member in January this year where she will continue to serve with the ministry Asociación
Vicky is working alongside the International Core Team in the development of communication resources and is coordinating an international communications team to increase Latin Link’s public relations presence in Latin
Maddie is the Coordinator for Short Term Programmes and Mobilisation for the Guatemala team. She is responsible for the receiving of new members in country, as well as overseeing their
Rose lives in Guatemala City where she serves through youth work leadership, mentoring and discipleship, supporting locals in their ministry to young people through Juventud para Cristo (Youth for Christ),
Geoff Baines and Cesia Pascual
Geoff and Cesia together with their daughter Sofía (2 years old), live in Guatemala City. Geoff serves in the Central American Theological Seminary, teaching Hebrew, Old Testament and integral mission
Kate and Jacobo are long term members and live in San Lucas Sacatepéquez. Kate is a social worker with a focus on safeguarding and trauma-informed care. She promotes best practice
Sadoc and Vivi Chongo along with their children Olivia and Sadoccito, moved from Scotland to Southampton in August 2023. Sadoc now serves as the Children and Youth minister at Holy
Miriam works as a teacher and counsellor in the organisation Apoyo (Support) and in a local church in the centre of Cuba. She trains leaders and the wives of church
Mission opportunities in Guatemala
To find out more about mission in Guatemala, please browse our opportunities or contact us.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala (Guatemala City)
Work with Puerta de Esperanza, which supports children and their families who work and live in the Terminal area of Guatemala city.
Education and Training
Guatemala
Work in partnership with various mission agencies and networks in order to inspire and train local churches in the need to send and support missionaries from Guatemala.
Development
Guatemala, Zaragoza
Work with a new project in the village of Puerta Abajo, Zaragoza, to develop children´s activities and educational opportunities. This will involve liaising with the community to identify needs and
Education and Training
Guatemala, Guatemala City
Work with the Ezra Centre, who train pastors and leaders in integral mission. The trainer will work with others to facilitate courses focusing on child development, prevention of abuse, child
Church development
Guatemala, Zaragoza
Work alongside the 'New Creation' church plant in Zaragoza, disciplining young people and new believers. Trabajar con la iglesia Nueva Creación en Zaragoza, en discipulado de los jovenes y creyentes
Development
Guatemala (Escuintla)
To work with Terra Coco, a new initiative led by Christian leaders, to address ecological issues in Escuintla and the surrounding area.
Development
Guatemala (Escuintla)
To work with Terra Coco, a new initiative led by Christian leaders, to address ecological issues in Escuintla and the surrounding area.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala (Guatemala City)
Work within a project, assisting women and their children who have escaped domestic violence.
Care and Social Action
Guatemala (Guatemala City)
Work alongside various organisations, reaching children, youth and adults who live and/or work on the streets of Guatemala City.
Medical
Guatemala (San Juan La Laguna)
Provide medical services to the local population and develop mobile clinics in some of the smaller towns and villages in the area.