How did ISP end up in Latin America?

It all started in a city called Mixco. Boasting a modest population of 452,000 and hiding in the shadow of its neighboring metropolis Guatemala City, Mixco is not one of the better-known locations in Guatemala. But, in this city, the mayor’s wife, Carolina, had a dream to change the lives of teachers and students; a dream “to take the Bible and values to their public schools.”

A dream to reach a war-torn country filled with gang violence and broken families.

Through a series of God-ordained circumstances, Carolina invited ISP to conduct conferences highlighting the theme, “A Moral Person: An Asset to Society.”

The Guatemala Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) staff members invited ISP to help accelerate the national ministry with teachers. In 2005, ISP conducted an evangelistic training conference with teachers, which birthed a partnership between national staff and ISP.

“I know these conferences have changed people’s lives,” said Alejandro, an educational official. “Our country is in need of principles and values so we can be different for the future. We are thankful because you are doing work to change lives in students and families.”

What has been the impact?

13 years. 26 conferences. More than 13,000 teachers reached with the gospel. Potentially millions of students impacted.

And the impact continues, long after the last Western team member packs their suitcase and boards a plane for the U.S. Long after the last conference session has ended, the last curriculum book is distributed, and the last goodbyes are uttered.

The reality is, true movements never “finish.” They keep going. Perhaps not with American volunteers who rely on interpreters to explain small group activities and teaching techniques. But they continue with teachers who become leaders. Teachers who reach their society for Christ. Movement builders…one teacher, one classroom, one school, one community at a time.

And so we return. We return for the Glorias, the Carmens, and all the other scores of educators who go beyond just taking the curriculum to their students but, in fact, see themselves as teacher-missionaries; teachers who multiply themselves spiritually. We go to encourage them and equip them so they can encourage and equip others.

Next stop: A New Curriculum