When the Church Listens Both Ways: A Moment of Solidarity on a Guatemala–El Salvador Learning Tour

On October 16, 2025, thirteen participants—including three Canadians—embarked on an Anabaptist Learning Tour in Guatemala and El Salvador organized by CASAS, a program of SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary. Over ten days, participants visited urban and rural churches and organizations shaped by SEMILLA’s theological and pastoral training. While each visit offered insight into faith lived amid complex social realities, one encounter left a lasting impression—a moment of unexpected solidarity that reshaped assumptions about who gives and who receives in global church relationships.

That moment took place on the fourth day of the tour in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, home to the headquarters of the K’ekchi’ Mennonite Conference. Five conference pastors and leaders gathered with the group to share about their journeys as SEMILLA students and the realities facing their congregations. Tour participant Esther Kern (Valleyview Mennonite Church, London, ON) recalls the scope of challenges the leaders described: “Poverty, inequality, corruption, and environmental degradation; marginalization and lack of access to basic resources and services; migration; and the increasing size of urban hubs.”

As the conversation neared its end, the tone shifted in an unexpected way. “One of the leaders, Gerardo Cabnal, gently interrupted,” recounts Karla Cuca, SEMILLA Ambassador. “‘We also want to ask you questions. We also want to learn.’ With that, the dialogue shifted.”

The North American participants began to speak about the struggles shaping their own church contexts—declining membership, polarization over political and social issues, and the challenge of integrating faith meaningfully into everyday life. Bill Christenson (Foothills Mennonite Church, Calgary, AB) reflects on how this sharing revealed a cultural gap: “Our churches are so influenced by secular culture. It took a bit of understanding on their part to see that the church isn’t at the center of the culture.”

What followed surprised many in the group. “Immediately,” Karla shares, “the pastors responded with compassion. ‘We will pray for you,’ they said. And then they went further.” The K’ekchi’ leaders pledged a week of fasting and prayer for the unity of churches in North America, a commitment that extended across approximately 140 congregations.

For tour participants, the depth of this gesture was profoundly moving. “It was an unstructured moment of spontaneity,” says Esther Kern. “It was so genuine.” David Janzen (Valleyview Mennonite Church, London, ON) reflects on the reversal of expectations: “We were the well-off Westerners, and they had many problems, yet they were the ones to pray for us.”

This moment of mutual vulnerability and care has continued to resonate. For some participants, it has prompted deeper questions about how relationships between North American and Central American churches might move beyond one-directional models of service or learning. Bill Christenson wonders what it would mean to pursue relationships marked by reciprocity and longevity. “What would it look like to connect more deeply than we have in the past?” he asks. “Rather than sending our youth simply to have a cultural experience, what would it look like to actually build mutual and long-term connections?”

A webinar sharing reflections from the Anabaptist Learning Tour will be held on January 27, 2026 at 7 pm. All are invited to attend. 

To Join:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85675064776?pwd=JL1wkh0HE6A3tbraYMzMBpyay1UbSs.1

Meeting ID: 856 7506 4776

Passcode: 948412