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"And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem."
-Acts 6:7
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Central America:
Mobilized for Multiplication
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Greetings!
We're excited to share what God is doing through CCI across Central America. This has been a season of remarkable growth, with new training classes launching, women leaders emerging, and ministry doors opening throughout Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras.
Healthy pastors lead healthy churches that make disciples and multiply the workers who proclaim and live the gospel. We're not only providing training but fostering transformation, equipping men and women for the roles God has called them to serve.
| Ministry Highlights By Country | | |
The Guatemalan CCI Team
From left to right: Dr. Ray McKenzie (Regional Director), Hamid Gutiérrez (Regional Coordinator), Otto Echevería (Country Coordinator), Charlotte Tello (Office Manager).
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Ongoing Expansion
Led by Pastor Otto Echevería and Pastor Hamid Gutiérrez, the Guatemalan team continues overseeing classes in Coatepeque and Quetzaltenango. Pastor Otto also manages financial operations and promotes CCI training across northern Guatemala.
New Classes Launch
Pastor Hamid launched a new class in Huehuetenango at Aposento Alto Baptist Church in Aguacatillos Village. Ten students began Book #1 on June 16. Through our partnership with John414, the church also received a new water well, opening additional ministry opportunities.
Pastor Otto continues teaching in Coatepeque and La Lima while encouraging pastors to start new classes. In July, he began a new class in Tecún Umán.
| | New class in Huehuetenango | | |
Seminary Partnership
Our relationship with the Guatemala Baptist Seminary continues to grow. The seminary is set to graduate its first six students using the CCI curriculum (date pending), with Pastor Otto coordinating this milestone event.
Women’s Ministry Growth
Charlotte Tello oversees the Guatemala office, managing inventory, book orders, travel logistics, and finances. Sandra McKenzie (Ray's wife) and Charlotte Tello led an impactful women’s conference in Mazatenango. We're especially encouraged by Olgui Mejía, a graduate from one of our earliest classes in Guatemala. She leads multiple women’s classes, and in July, two of her groups graduated, marking the first all-women’s class graduations in Guatemala!
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First All-Female Graduation in Guatemala
In the village of El Cañal, a group of six women completed their training and graduated. A second graduation took place in Coatepeque, where another group of dedicated women also finished their studies and received their certificates.
Ms. Olgui was so impressed with Leidy Lopéz, who graduated from El Cañal, because of her struggle to read and write. But despite her obstacles, she persevered until the end and got all her work completed so she could graduate with her class.
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Upcoming Opportunities
Pastor Otto is meeting with pastors in Cobán about launching new classes with K'ekchí Baptist churches. The K’ekchí are a major unreached people group in Guatemala. Pray that the Lord opens the door for us to equip workers who will reach them with the gospel.
Medical Clinics Outreach
Last year, Ray led a team in partnership with Pastor Otto to conduct medical clinics in the villages of La Unión and El Cañal, near Coatepeque. These clinics addressed critical health needs while also creating gospel-centered ministry pathways in hard-to-reach communities. Many people heard a clear gospel presentation, many for the first time.
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Class Progress
The work in Belize continues to move forward. In Bella Vista, the class is steadily progressing through Book #2, while the Belize City class recently completed Book #7 in June and has now begun Book #8. Both classes are on track to graduate in March 2026.
Leadership Need
The recent return of Justin Atcheson and his family to the United States due to Michelle’s health has left a significant leadership gap. Justin played a key role in driving vision and momentum. Please pray for God to raise up a leader within Belize to guide these students to graduation and beyond.
| | Justin Atcheson with a CCI class in Belize | |
Joel Cohuoj’s Church Planting Work
In southern Belize, Pastor Joel Cohuoj is currently teaching a class while also serving as a CCI trainer and church planter. He is planting five churches and continues as a CCI student himself, staying ahead in the curriculum so he can effectively lead and teach others.
| | He said, "As a pastor, I’ve been serving since 2019, but CCI training has taken us deeper. We’ve studied Books #1 through #4. They’re incredibly helpful for teaching, preaching, and ministry. Book #4, especially, has helped deepen our teaching. These classes give us knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to share the gospel, not just in our churches but with other pastors as well." | Pastor Joel Cohuoj and his wife | | Please enjoy this video testimony from Bryton Small, a CCI student in Belize. Click here or on the video below. | | |
El Progreso Class Progress
This class is currently working through Book #7. Pastor Hamid taught during his July visit. Among them are pastors, future church planters, and dedicated laymen who are all committed to being used by God to raise up new church leaders and spread the gospel. Please pray that each graduate will catch a fresh vision of how God can use them to make a lasting impact on their country through training and church planting. Graduation is expected in March 2026.
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International Teaching Milestone
In April, Pastor Jaime Alvarado, a 2024 graduate from Coatepeque, Guatemala, joined Andrés Hernández to teach Book #6 in El Progreso, marking his first international teaching experience. Then, in July, Hamid Gutiérrez invited Jorge Xicará, a graduate from the original class in Guatemala, to co-teach Book #7.
These cross-cultural opportunities have been invaluable for our Guatemalan graduates and staff. However, please pray that the Lord will raise up a national leader within Honduras to oversee and expand the ministry there.
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Women’s Conferences & Expansion
Sandra McKenzie and Charlotte held a women’s conference in El Progreso, with 60 participants, laying the groundwork for future gatherings. Charlotte is also leading expansion efforts into western Honduras, making a promotional trip to Ocotepeque to prepare for new classes and teacher training workshops.
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Roatan Ministry Expansion
Ray’s team conducted a “Resolving Conflict in a Godly Way” seminar on Roatan Island with 25 participants at First Baptist Church, Monte Placentero. Pastor Javier Sanchez is eager to launch CCI classes on the island.
| Andrés Hernández and Ray McKenzie shown leading seminar on Roatan Island | |
Please pray that the Lord will raise up nationals to serve as CCI Country Coordinators in Honduras and Belize, overseeing classes and guiding the ministry in these countries. We believe that through strong national leadership, the work will multiply and reach even more people. Please also pray for the Lord’s provision for these leaders.
In addition, we ask for prayer regarding CCI’s financial needs, as we are currently behind budget by about $200,000. Pray for God’s provision so we can continue equipping national leaders who will multiply the work of the gospel. Through their equipping, we can reach more people for Christ. Thank you, and God bless you!
Grace and Peace,
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Dr. David Nelson
Chief Steward and Servant
Crossing Cultures International
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Multiply: New Video Content!
Click on the video below or click here for the next video in the 11-part video series for my new book, Multiply: Building an Enduring Ministry. The video below covers Chapter 8.
| | Missed a video? Click on the button below to see all the videos that have already been released. The final video, Chapter 9, will be released on August 28. | | Trip to Turkey in October 2026 | | |
I invite you to join me in Turkey next year, from September 26 to October 6, 2026, as we follow in Paul's footsteps through Galatia, Pisidia, Asia Minor, and the seven churches of Revelation (Revelation 2-3). Our journey will include visits to Istanbul, Attalia, Perga, Aspendos, Myra, Patara, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colossae, Philadelphia, Sardis, Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna, Miletus, and Ephesus.
Click here for more information and to register
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