A New Evangelist. A New Beginning.

15 Aug A New Evangelist. A New Beginning.

By Phil Waldron, CEO

Some milestones are measured in buildings completed or projects finished. Others are measured in lives changed.

This month, we celebrate one of those milestones.

After more than two years of prayer, evangelism, discipleship, and faithful work, Mission UpReach has moved a missionary-evangelist and his family into the village of Villamí, where a new congregation of the Lord’s church is taking root.

Villamí is a small community of approximately 900 people located near Gracias in western Honduras. Situated about sixty minutes south of Santa Rosa de Copán, the village depends primarily on agriculture and brick making for its livelihood. While modest in size, Villamí represents exactly the kind of community where lasting gospel ministry can transform generations.

When our team first began working in Villamí, there was no congregation of the Lord’s church meeting there.

Today, by God’s grace, there is.

The congregation now worships in its own church building—completely debt free. Thirteen people have been baptized into Christ, including two teenagers and one adult man. Every week, approximately fifteen children gather to study God’s Word, giving us hope that an entirely new generation is being raised to know and follow Christ.

Yet one significant challenge remained.

Like many rural communities throughout Honduras, Villamí has experienced the effects of migration as many men have left in search of employment opportunities abroad. The result has been a shortage of local male leadership, making it difficult for this young congregation to develop mature leaders from within. For the past year, faithful members from the church in Santa Rosa de Copán have made the trip every Sunday to lead worship services, teach Bible classes, and encourage the believers.

Now that chapter is changing.

This month, evangelist Orlin Otoniel Matute, his wife Elvia Esperanza Maldonado, and their six children have made Villamí their new home. Their family of eight has moved into the community with one purpose—to live among the people, share the gospel, disciple believers, and help establish a strong, self-sustaining congregation for generations to come.

Their arrival represents far more than a change of address. It is the beginning of a new season for this church. Daily relationships will replace weekly visits. Consistent shepherding will strengthen young Christians. New opportunities for evangelism will emerge. Children will grow up seeing Christian leadership modeled in their own community. We are praying that God will raise up future elders, deacons, teachers, evangelists, and faithful Christian families from this small village.

As you look at the accompanying photographs, you’ll meet Orlin, Elvia, and their six beautiful children. They have answered God’s call to serve, leaving behind the familiar to invest their lives in a community that needs the hope of Christ.

Please join us in praying for the Matute family as they begin this important ministry. Pray for wisdom, strength, protection, and open hearts throughout Villamí. Pray that those who have already obeyed the gospel will remain faithful and mature in Christ. And pray that many more families will come to know Jesus through the witness of this young congregation.

Thank you for making stories like this possible. Through your prayers, encouragement, and faithful support, God is planting churches, strengthening believers, and changing lives—one community at a time.