Breaking The Cycle of Poverty and Disadvantage Through Christ
Jair and Norma Castillo
Senior Field Directors
Jair and Norma came to work at Ejido Piedras Negras In 1976 and have been here since. Jair graduated from Dallas Christian College and is the pastor of our first church plant in Piedras Negras. Norma got her nursing degree and has since been actively serving the community in Ejido.They are proud parents of 4 children and grandparents of 9 grandchildren. When not serving at the ministry, Jair enjoys spending some time riding his motorcycle and traveling. Norma enjoys reading and trying out new recipes.
Elí and Mandy García
Field Directors
Eli and Mandy have been obedient to God’s calling to come back to their home town of Piedras Negras where they were both born. They have been blessed with their first-born Lucas Eli Garcia and another baby on the way. Eli served as the Creative Arts Director and Mandy as the Family Ministry Director in a church in the Chicagoland area. They are passionate about breaking the cycle of poverty and helping people find their way back to God in their home-town. Mandy grew up in the Vida Nueva Ministry family as she is daughter to Jair and Norma Castillo Founders of the ministry.
When they are not on Campus or serving at the Church you can find them enjoying some frozen yogurt at a local froyo shop. They enjoy the open road and hope to travel to many different parts of the country and share some of the same experiences with their children like they had with their parents growing up.
Gonzalo García
Missionary/Church Planter/Pastor in Tepic
Gonzalo has been a Christ follower since 17 years of age. He and his wife Juanita Correa Luna have three children, Israel, Keila, and Karintia who besides having a career of their own are fully committed to the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through Christ and serve faithfully in the church.
Gonzalo graduated from the Instituto Bíblico Nacional (National Bible Institute) in 1983. In 1988 he served as lead pastor in our Piedras Negras church plant as well as House parents for the children’s home at VNM. In 1994 they were sent to Tepic, Nayarit to plant a church and has been there since. Gonzalo has trained and sent Sergio Ontiveros (Acapulco Church plant) and Israel Camara (Cancun Church plant) reproducing the mission.
He has had the amazing opportunity to start el Instituto Biblico del Pacifico (The Bible Institute of the Pacific) and has planted the first and second Christian Church in Tepic.
When He is not serving or pastoring you can find him playing soccer with the Church’s soccer team or playing guitar, writing songs for God.
Sergio Ontiveros
Missionary/Church Planter/Pastor in Acapulco
Sergio Ontiveros is a native of Coahuila. He graduated from Colegio Bíblico in Eagle Pass Tx on 1996. He served as a pastor for a local church in Piedras Negras until 2000 when he followed God’s call to plant a church in Acapulco. He has served the people of Acapulco since. Now married to Georgina Ontiveros and father to Sergio, Monica and Juan they are fully committed to the mission. When not at church serving or prepping for the weekend service, Sergio enjoys fishing as a hobby.
Israel Camara
Missionary/Pastor in Cancún
Israel is native to the Quintana Roo area with his wife Julia and their three children Israel Jr, Britany, and Pablo they are committed to the mission ofbreaking the cycle of poverty through Christ. They have been on mission since 2010. They lead an open meal program that serves underprivileged children in their community. Julia leads worship for the children’s ministry, and Israel Jr and Britany serve in the worship team in their Sunday celebration services. When not serving his community or pastoring, he enjoys some time hitting the waters of Cancun and spend some quality time with his son fishing.