About Misión El Faro

About Mision El Faro A Lighthouse of Hope in Guatemala

Since 2003, El Faro has brought people together around a simple conviction: put people before programs, serve with humility, and let faith become visible through practical care.

A lighthouse of hope

Misión El Faro exists to share the love of Christ through practical service and long-term partnership. From its home on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, the organization works alongside communities to strengthen health, opportunity, faith, and belonging.

The name El Faro means “the lighthouse.” It reflects the call in Matthew 5:14–16 to let light be visible, steady, and useful. For El Faro, that means being present when families need medical care, children need nourishment, communities identify practical projects, and visiting teams want to serve responsibly.

A woman and child walk along a tropical path.

Mission and vision

Our mission is to share the love of Jesus in remote Guatemalan villages by caring for every person, building strong communities, and making disciples of Christ.

Our vision is to see every community in Guatemala sustainable, building a future filled with hope and purpose in Christ.

Share Christ’s love through practical care
Strengthen communities through trusted local relationships
Connect visiting teams to work that is already established
Serve in ways that protect dignity and encourage lasting growth

A group joins hands near the campus cross.

What makes El Faro different

Hospitality is not separate from ministry at El Faro; it is one of the ways ministry happens. Teams are welcomed as guests, invited to serve as partners, and encouraged to learn from the people and communities they meet.

The organization puts people before programs. A schedule can change when a family needs care. A project can evolve when local leaders identify a better solution. Shared meals and honest conversation matter because lasting service depends on trust, not simply completed tasks.

Transformation is expected to move in both directions. Visitors may arrive ready to give, but they often leave challenged by the generosity, resilience, faith, and community they experienced in Guatemala.

Values that guide the work

El Faro’s values shape how decisions are made, how partnerships are formed, and how teams are prepared. They keep the organization focused on the people behind every statistic.

Faith in action — allowing Christian belief to become visible through service
Relationships first — treating people as neighbors and partners, never projects
Local leadership — listening to churches, families, and community leaders
Hospitality — welcoming people with generosity, good food, and shared purpose
Stewardship — using resources carefully and remaining accountable for outcomes

El Faro visitors share a personal conversation with a community member.

One faith, many traditions

Misión El Faro is interdenominational. Christians from different church traditions serve together around a shared commitment to Jesus, Scripture, prayer, practical care, and mutual respect.

That posture makes room for churches, medical teams, families, students, volunteers, and ministry partners with different backgrounds. Participants are asked to honor one another, follow local guidance, and focus on the shared mission rather than denominational differences.

Women and children gather during an El Faro community visit.

Explore the El Faro story

The organization’s history, people, and results each reveal a different part of the mission. Learn how El Faro began, meet the team serving in Guatemala and the United States, and see the measurable outcomes behind the work.

Our Story — from a 1999 visit to a permanent ministry on the coast
Our Team — board members, directors, missionaries, staff, and volunteers
Our Impact — health, nutrition, education, housing, and community results

Your next step

There is a place for you in this story.

Meet the people, explore the work, or experience El Faro in person.

Discover our story