A Mother’s Commitment…Multiplied

Venezuela

In Maracay, a warm city in central Venezuela surrounded by green mountains and known for its proximity to the Caribbean coast, a shy 10-year-old boy sat every week in a church called Gilgal, the Hebrew word for circle. It was the early 1990s, and although no one could have imagined it at the time, that boy would one day help equip leaders and churches all across Latin America.

His name is Nacho. And his mother, Leonor, was serving as a Sunday school teacher when she was invited, along with other children’s ministry leaders, to attend Awana training. She said yes to what seemed like just another training event. But “another training event” transformed the story of their family.

Nacho in Awana Torch club

Leonor began serving with the Sparks club and shortly afterward, Nacho, then 12 years old, joined the Awana club for 6th and 7th graders — Torch. Nacho was a reserved child. Public speaking was difficult for him, and he struggled to connect with others. But every week he listened to God’s Word, memorized Scripture, and was discipled by leaders who believed in him long before he could imagine what God would do with his life.

In 1995, Leonor was appointed Awana Commander. Around that same time, mother and son attended a camp where they met Art Rorheim, co-founder of Awana, and Marilyn Glans, an Awana missionary who served in Latin America for many years.

But beneath the surface of events and photographs, something much deeper was happening: a child was being shaped by the Word of God.

Leonor still remembers watching him memorize Bible verses at home. She remembers the evenings spent reviewing Scripture together and the constant effort to teach him to love Jesus from an early age.

Nacho and his mother today

Nacho was blessed with other people who invested in his faith along the way, as well. Miguel, a long-time Awana team member and leader, became a close mentor to Nacho, challenging him to dream about God’s purpose for his life. Years later, Miguel would also influence Nacho and his wife, Mary, to travel to Argentina to prepare for youth ministry at the Instituto Especialidades Juveniles. Over time, Nacho and Mary also served as youth pastors in the Dominican Republic.

Nacho training leaders to disciple the next generation

Today, Nacho serves as Director of Relations for Awana Latin America and Regional Director for South America. He travels throughout the region training pastors, equipping leaders, and helping churches disciple the next generation. And he is passing his faith on to his own children. The same Word that was planted in him as a child is now being planted in a new generation.

Nacho and his family

That shy little boy from an Awana Torch club has become a leader, at home and abroad. And it all began with a faithful mother bringing her son to church in Maracay.