Dear Friends and Supporters,

In late 2009, Ashley and I began serving in a small Honduran community in inner-city San Pedro Sula.

Back then, Sparrow Missions was just a dream taking shape. We were just two people following God’s call, joined by short-term teams and faithful friends. What we didn’t yet have but so desperately desired were long-term Honduran partners and local leaders who could carry the vision forward.

During one of our early short-term trips, after a children’s program ended one afternoon, I watched as the same kids we had just ministered to walked directly into the influence of local gang members. I shared this frustration with a friend and pastor who is now one of our board members. I told him, “We’re doing good things, but it’s not enough.” He challenged me: “Then pray specifically. What do you need?” So we did. We prayed for a young, godly man who would reach the young men of the community through discipleship and soccer.

Three months later, God answered our prayer with Cristian López. He first joined us as a translator for one of our teams. He was quiet and distant with limited English, but by his second trip in 2012, something had changed. He was more engaged, more connected, and by the end of that year, he joined Sparrow Missions full-time.

That was the turning point and the moment we began focusing not just on ministry to a community, but through its people. From that moment, our mission shifted toward empowering local leaders. This value still defines us today.

Over the past 13 years, Cristian has faithfully served Sparrow, building a thriving youth group, launching a soccer ministry, and discipling young men who are now leaders themselves. He’s now married, a father of two, and leads our entire Honduran team. He directs Sparrow Academy, oversees discipleship programs, and leads every mission team that serves alongside us.

It wasn’t always easy. Cristian and I served side by side in Honduras for a decade, walking through heartbreak and triumph, danger and celebration. Every step was an opportunity for growth and a training ground for our next steps of obedience.

In 2021, when Ashley and I followed God’s call to Thailand, we knew our Honduran ministry was in strong hands. Cristian embodies what Sparrow Missions stands for: a decentralized, locally led ministry where Hondurans lead Hondurans and even guide our American partners when they come to serve.

Now, Cristian is raising up the next generation of leaders, teaching them that they are a mission force that can enter the mission field in Honduras and beyond. Through him, we can see the future of Sparrow Missions: locally led, globally minded, and fully committed to the Gospel.

Empowering Leaders. Transforming Communities.

Justin Ross

 

2026-02-19   READ MORE FROM SPARROW MISSIONS