WHO WE ARE

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

OUR STORY

In 1986 Pastor Luis and Dinora Martinez were newlyweds living in an apartment complex in Guatemala City. There, God opened the door for them to start a church together. Pastor Luis realized the great need in the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala where there were many villages without any evangelical presence. He began planting churches and bringing North American teams to serve through compassion ministries.

Pastor Luis and Dinora became missionaries serving through Global Partners in 1999. Pastor Luis held the position of Evangelist to Spanish-Speaking Churches and they were assigned to live in the United States. They planted churches in Spanish-speaking communities and Pastor Luis led evangelistic crusades throughout the world’s Spanish-speaking countries.

One of Pastor Luis’ dreams was to lead an organization that hosted missions teams in his home country of Guatemala. In 2004, he founded Impacto, headquartered in La Plata, MD, through New Life Church.

Xejuyu [pronounced shay-hoo -you], is in San Juan, a small village on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Xejuyu has a 2-story multipurpose building, a pavilion, quadraplex, a pharmacy, a storage building, and a small building for a watchman. These buildings offer areas for Impacto to house teams and interns, prepare and serve meals, hold Stitches of Blessings, training sessions, conferences, Zona Cero Youth Camp, medical clinics, special events, provides a location to start churches and allow them to grow. Impacto has plans to build another quadraplex, offices, a soccer field, and possibly more in the coming years.  

In late 2018, Impacto was granted 501(c)(3) status and beginning in January 2019, Impacto Ministry, Inc. became a stand-alone Christian non-profit organization.

MISSION

By serving communities holistically through providing for physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs, reaching people of all ages through outreach ministries. Providing leadership development through spiritual training, conferences, and resources to pastors, church, and youth leaders. Providing transcultural ministry opportunities via hosting short-term missions teams and internships.

VISION

To bring the salvation, hope, healing and peace of Christ to the people of Guatemala.

Our Scripture Verse: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Impacto will strive to get the word out into the community that “something good is going on” and “somebody is here who cares.”

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe there is one true God, creator of all living things. He is Holy, loving, eternal, unlimited in power, wisdom, and goodness.

We believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three persons of one essential nature, power, eternity, and authority.

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We believe that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, was sent for the salvation of man. He was both fully God and fully human.

We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death through the shedding of His blood, bodily resurrection, ascension to heaven, and that one day He will return in power and glory.

We believe man is created in the image of God, but fallen in sin. Therefore, salvation is necessary and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through confession, repentance, and forgiveness is the only way to receive eternal life. Both the Old and New Testaments tell us that life is offered through Christ, who is the only mediator between God and humanity.

We believe in the practice of water baptism and the partaking of Communion. Neither of these practices are essential for salvation, but in obedience they serve as a demonstration of our living faith in Christ.

We believe in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and that as His children, we are responsible to spread the Good News of salvation and God’s love throughout all the world.

GET INVOLVED
WITH A TEAM OR AS AN INTERN

Join in our efforts to share the Gospel and bring hope and holistic support to the people of Guatemala. Be part of our journey by bringing a team for a short-term missions trip, by interning for a season, or by sharing your gifts with us.

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OUR TEAM

Impacto’s staff is made up of people who love the Lord wholeheartedly. Each member of the staff has heard the call at different moments in their lives and have obeyed. Our number one goal through each compassion ministry is to present the Gospel to as many people as we possibly can, forming relationships with the locals, and guiding/discipling them in their walk with Christ. We are aware that we do not work for man but for God and His Kingdom. Though it is not always easy, we try very hard to always do our best for Him.



Andrea Mendez

Working in Impacto has given me the opportunity to share Christ every day. I am humbled that God called me to the ministry full time; I pray that many will come to know Jesus through Impacto.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11


Dinora Martinez

God in His mercy, and without me deserving it, gave me the opportunity to watch the birth of this ministry. To dream, plan, laugh, and cry through the years alongside my husband. It’s a joy for me and a gratitude towards God for this opportunity. To God be the glory and honor!

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17


Luis Martinez

I give thanks to God because He called me not only to be His child but also to serve Him, and to serve Him with my family

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15


Dilma Cordero

The Lord called me to serve doing what I love the most: organizing and optimizing resources. I enjoy what I do, that is my greatest blessing and allows me to serve.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31


Sarah Poythress

God called me to help Pastor Luis before Impacto was formed and it has been one of my greatest joys to help get Impacto off the ground and flying! I feel that I've found my call and my passion through working with Impacto. It is a privilege to serve God and help enlarge the Kingdom.

“Ah Lord God...Nothing is too hard for Thee.” Jeremiah 32:17


Becca Gruwell

I came to serve with Impacto fulltime to be a part of an organization that strives to empower people and further God's Kingdom.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7


Tony Mendez

God called me to serve Him full time after circumstances made me realize that God needed to be number one in my life. From the moment I started serving with this ministry, I saw God at work. I rejoice in the Lord for letting me see how many people have come to know Christ as their Savior through all these years.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36

WANT TO SUPPORT
OUR MINISTRIES?

Support our ministries focused on bringing the love and salvation of Christ to the people of Guatemala and serving the community members of all ages holistically. Help our ministries grow.

Donation Acceptance Policy
Impacto Ministry Inc is committed to sound stewardship and using your gift to deliver the most effective solutions for alleviating malnutrition and suffering. Expenditures go to carrying out our ministry projects. In order to use our resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible, we may deem it necessary to direct your contribution to the greatest need or highest priority in our general purposes

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