Latin America - Central Region
Jonathan Josue Escobar Ovando
Jonathan serves half-time with YFC Guatemala as the Coordinator of Discipleship Programs which includes Academias Vida, D-Arte, and New Life, and half-time with the Central American Region as the coordinator of Sport-Discipleship ministries.
Jonathan is from Guatemala and has worked with different soccer ministries over the past 10 years and he began serving with YFC Guatemala in 2019 as the coordinator of Academias Vida. His role now includes serving with YFC Guatemala in Academias Vida and as the Coordinator of Discipleship Programs. Jonathan met his wife, Stephanie, in 2021 through YFC. She works for YFC Canada, and they also work together within YFC Guatemala.
As part of his development as a leader and soccer coach, he has graduated from the Federation of Soccer in Guatemala with coaching licenses in indoor and outdoor soccer. Jonathan looks to develop professionally which allows opportunities for the youth within Academias Vida to also grow professionally in their soccer skills, additionally to the spiritual guidance and biblical teaching in the program.
Working within ministry since 2014, Jonathan has also had the opportunity to grow spiritually by attending various conferences inside and out of YFC, attending sports discipleship training in Venezuela in 2016 and Panama in 2022, a leadership camp with YFC Brazil in 2023, and General Assembly in 2023 with YFCI.
Through YFC and Academias Vida, he has the opportunity to travel to El Salvador, Honduras, and Dominican Republic to provide training to local leaders who want to reach their youth with the gospel through sport. There are soccer, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and even English programs using this format to reach young people. Locally, he has also been able to train volunteers and provide resources to expand the reach within Guatemala.
Outside of ministry, Jonathan enjoys music, playing soccer, coffee, and spending time with his family.