Guatemala
Guatemala has seen almost 150 years of Presbyterian witness, beginning in 1882. Today, at least nineteen presbyteries and local churches are in partnership with Guatemalan churches and organizations vía the PC(USA)’s global partners, the Protestant Center for Pastoral Education in Central America/Centro Evangélico de Estudios Pastorales en Centroamérica (CEDEPCA) and the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Guatemala/Iglesia Evangélica Nacional Presbiteriana de Guatemala (IENPG).
Through mission personnel and partnerships, the PC(USA) shares in ministry with women, evangelism, health care, leadership development, theological education, literacy efforts, and disaster assistance. In recent years, this has included grants or collaborative programs with the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Women, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and Self Development of People.
About our work
Rev. Leslie Vogel
Leslie is a facilitator for CEDEPCA’s Intercultural Encounters Program; she is part of the team that receives visiting groups, plans and facilitates their educational program and itinerary, and interprets and leads reflection discussions. North American church groups, theological seminarians, and college/university students who visit Guatemala hosted by CEDEPCA and Leslie are seeking to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among people, churches, and communities of various countries and cultures, to engage in mutual prayer and learning, and to unite with efforts to create societies that are peaceful, inclusive, equitable and just. CEDEPCA, a long-time Presbyterian World Mission partner, has close ties with many presbyteries and Presbyterian congregations across the United States. CEDEPCA also offers pastoral, biblical, and theological education; offers programs in women’s empowerment; and provides ministry in times of natural and social disasters. You can read more about her work on her profile page, which can be found here.
Rev. Eliane Menezes
Eliane serves in as Facilitator for Women’s Leadership Development with the National Union of Presbyterian Women of the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG). She seeks to empower women by facilitating development of their leadership skills and by helping to nurture relationships between the women of the National Union of Presbyterian Women in Guatemala and Presbyterian women in the United States. “Working with women in Guatemala gives me an opportunity to learn about them and the gifts they bring to ministry,” says Eliane. “Engaging in conversation with women, I listen to their struggles and offer hope in order to empower and strengthen them.” You can read more about her work on her profile page, which can be found here.
Joseph Russ
Joseph will minister with and support the Calvinist Reform Church in El Salvador and their education and development agency, Alfalit, while strengthening a network of partners working on migration issues in the Northern Triangle. Based on the experiences of migrants and local partners themselves, U.S. individuals, congregations, presbyteries and mid councils can join them in solidarity and advocate for policies that support migrants and prevent forced migration. Together, all of us can help people who want to stay in their homes stay, and welcome those who need to migrate. Read more about Joseph's ministry on his profile page, which you can find here.
Betsey Moe
Betsey is working as a facilitator for the Intercultural Encounters Program of the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA). CEDEPCA provides North American church groups, theological seminarians, and college/university students the opportunity to discover Guatemala in all its diversity, beauty, and complexity, and to experience the everyday life of Guatemalans through immersion programs. Betsey is part of the team that receives visiting groups, plans and facilitates their educational program and itinerary, interprets, and leads reflection discussions. Eric has been a professional musician in the U.S., playing and teaching trumpet in the community and church and looks forward to using music as a way to connect with people in Guatemala. Eric will also serve in ministry in the home with the Moes’ three school-age children. You can read more about their ministry on their profile page, which can be found here.
National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala (IENPG)
Founded in 1882, the IENPG was the first national church to result from Presbyterian mission work in Central America. The IENPG has one synod, composed of 6 Spanish-speaking and 11 indigenous-language presbyteries, and approximately 60,000 members. The IENPG’s Christian service program, Diaconia, works with presbyteries in development, health, and agricultural training. Women’s organizations address the needs and concerns of both indigenous and ladina women. Over the years the church has also been active in evangelism, including a mission to Honduras. For decades the IENPG has operated two schools, “La Patria” in Guatemala City and another school with the same name in Quetzaltenango.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Seminary in San Felipe emphasizes the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition in its training program for lay leaders and pastors. The Maya-Quiche Bible Institute at San Cristóbal and the Mam Center at San Juan Ostunalco were founded in the early years of mission work and remain good places for study and training.
In May of 1995 the IENPG contributed a martyr to the cause of democracy. Manuel Saquic, an indigenous Presbyterian pastor and president of the Kakchiquel Presbytery’s Human Rights Office, was killed by a death squad. The Human Rights Office threatens the power structure—which has enjoyed almost total immunity from prosecution—because it is a public forum where people can go to register complaints about rights abuses. Presbytery workers with the Human Rights Office give workshops in the countryside to teach people about their constitutional rights.
Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Latin America (AIPRAL)
Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA)
CEDEPCA is an independent ecumenical institution serving Central America’s churches. CEDEPCA encourages theological reflection and pastoral practice that is evangelical, contextual, liberating, and ecumenical. CEDEPCA has a number of outstanding programs within its four focus areas: Women’s Pastoral Program; Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Training; Publications and Communications Training; and Communication and Exchange for Peace. As part of its Biblical, Theological and Pastoral Training Program, CEDEPCA administers the programs of the Latin America Biblical University in Guatemala at both the university and Bible institute levels. CEDEPCA has helped thousands of U.S. Presbyterians to understand the difficulties with which Latin American Christians live and to reflect on their own lives through the faith experiences of these brothers and sisters.
Presbytery partnerships
Albany Presbytery
Presbytery of Cincinnati
Heartland Presbytery
Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
Presbytery of Middle Tennessee
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
Mission Presbytery
Peace River Presbytery
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Presbytery of New Covenant
Presbytery of the Peaks
Guatemala Mission Network
For information, contact Leslie Vogel.
The Guatemala Mission Network is among more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies.
Mission coworkers serving in the country
Leslie Vogel - leslie.vogel@pcusa.org
Eliane Menezes - eliane.menezes@pcusa.org
Joseph Russ - joseph.russ@pcusa.org
Betsey Moe - betsey.moe@pcusa.org