Renewing Our Partnership with Impact Ministries Through Classroom Sponsorship

One of the ways our church lives out its core values of Justice and Compassion is by partnering with Impact Ministries in Guatemala. 

This global partnership is not a new initiative but a renewal of relationship. Before the church fire in 2016, Stony Plain Alliance Church sent multiple teams to Guatemala and several SPAC members spent longer periods working with Impact.  

AN INTRODUCTION

Les and Rita Peters, originally from Kamloops, B.C, founded Impact Ministries twenty-five years ago in response to the spiritual and physical poverty they witnessed in the rural mountain village of Tactic (pronounced Tack-teek). What began as one Christian elementary school has grown to 11 schools, from pre-K to a college-level program that trains elementary teachers! 

From the beginning, Impact Ministries’ primary mission has been “to train Guatemalans for leadership by teaching biblical principles in such a way that they become integrated in their lives and effect spiritual change in their society.”  

Most of the teachers at the Vida schools were once students themselves. Education and discipleship changed the trajectory of their lives, and now they are passionate about pouring into the next generation. 

Impact’s secondary mission is “to impact North Americans for world missions”. They accomplish this by providing short-term mission programs and building relationships between Guatemalans and North Americans through child and classroom sponsorship.  

CLASSROOM SPONSORSHIP

In the winter of 2025, AdventureKids and SPACYouth began sponsoring a grade one classroom!  

Their sponsor class is part of the Agua Vida (Water of Life) school in the community of Chijulhá (near Tactic). Adult illiteracy is very high in this area, and most people live in survival mode, unsure of whether they will eat that day. Children in this area often do not go to school because parents do not understand the value of education, the nearest school is too far away (and poorly run), or the kids need to help their families financially.  

Agua Vida, which runs from kindergarten to grade ten, is helping break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in this area.  

Not only do students at Agua Vida receive an education and a chance at a brighter future–they also encounter the love of Jesus which transforms their lives. Students receive a warm, nutritious meal each school day and are given access to health and dental care. 

OUR DESIRE

Classroom sponsorship is a way for our kids to respond to poverty by acting justly and compassionately (Micah 6:8).  

The money our students raise goes towards classroom resources, student supplies, student uniforms, food, and the teacher’s salary. Students and teachers in Guatemala feel incredibly blessed when North Americans sponsor their classrooms. It shows them that they are loved, valuable, and seen.  

Classroom sponsorship is SPAC’s first step in re-engaging with Impact. We look forward to building (and rebuilding) relationships with Impact Ministries and participating in what God is doing in northern Guatemala.