Hector and Caitlyn (Christie) Hernandez
Hector and Caitlyn and their children, Tahlia, Alanah, and Donovan, serve among an indigenous Mayan group, the Achi people, in Central Guatemala. Their ministry focuses on facilitating missional training; building vision among youth and local churches for global ministry; addiction recovery; and bringing Bible teachings alive through local artistic forms.
Guatemala and the Achi People
In numbers, the country of Guatemala appears to be very “Christianized.” In reality, the country has one of the highest indices of violent crime and corruption in the world. Many people go to church without understanding what they hear or experiencing transformation and spiritual growth. The Achi people are one of over 20 indigenous Mayan groups in the country. They live in the villages across the mountains and valleys of Central Guatemala. Hector and Caitlyn live in the Achi town where Hector was born.
Global Vision: Guatemalans becoming involved in the Great Commission
Guatemalans have a unique opportunity to reach places in the world where doors are closed to North American missionaries. Together with local churches and the ministry Operation R4, the Hernandezes are seeking to raise up a generation of young people with the tools and spiritual maturity to respond to God’s call to go and make disciples of all nations. Through annual mission-focused events, ongoing small group discipleship, and regular outreach in churches, the Achi people have begun to see that they too can send and support missionaries.
Addiction Recovery
Many Achi families have suffered from the effects of alcohol abuse for generations. In 2017, Hector and Caitlyn, along with three local Christian leaders, began the only Bible-based addiction recovery group in their region, called Freedom Ascent. The group meets weekly to learn from God’s Word, fellowship, and pray for one another.
Ethnoarts: Reaching Oral Cultures
Ethnoarts involves using local artistic forms to bring Biblical teachings alive. This approach is tailored specifically for indigenous people groups in order to touch their hearts with God’s Word shared in their own languages. The Achi people have a “traditionally oral” culture, which means they prefer to communicate through oral forms such as storytelling, music, drama, dances, and visual arts such as weaving. Currently, Caitlyn is learning the local art of weaving and finding ways to make connections with Scriptural principles and stories.
Operation R4 (OR4)
Hector and Caitlyn partner with the Guatemalan interdenominational organization Operation R4. Operation R4 stands for “Operation Rescue, Restoration, Reconciliation, and Relationship.” OR4’s vision is to see communities transformed spiritually, socially, and economically by the development of solid ministries and committed churches who are passionate about the mission of Christ. Hector has been president of OR4 since its founding in 2004.
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