Marco Antonio has been through more than most. He lived through the civil war in El Salvador. In more recent years, he stayed in the San Valentín condominium in Mejicanos during waves of violence that forced many of his neighbors to flee. His life has included family challenges, health struggles, and ups and downs in his employment. It’s the kind of story that could easily lead someone to become discouraged, to grow tired, or to settle into survival mode.
But that’s not Marco’s story. Instead, when he wakes up in the morning, he works on memorizing the catechism. In the evenings, he logs on to live Bible classes. Day after day, he finds ways to be connected to God’s Word.
I had the opportunity to visit Marco in March. We sat down over pupusas in Mejicanos, and he told me how it all began. About two years ago, he came across an online ad for Bible classes through Academia Cristo. He signed up, not knowing exactly what to expect. But as he studied, he encountered something that changed everything—the clear message of Scripture, that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. This gave him peace like he never had before.
Marco loves what he is learning so much that he repeats courses he has already taken, learning from different instructors and studying alongside new classmates. For him, it’s not about checking a box or finishing a program. It’s about staying in the Word.
During my visit, we traveled together from San Salvador to meet with another Academia Cristo student in San Miguel. On the three-hour drive, Marco turned the car into a mission field. He shared the Christian faith with the driver, walking him through what we call the four key concepts—sin, grace, faith, and works. When the driver began to open up about personal struggles, Marco clearly applied both law and gospel, pointing him to his Savior.
But Marco isn’t just a student, and he doesn’t just tag along with missionaries on visits. Recently, Marco was called to serve as a sembrador, or church planter, by Academia Cristo. This came after he reached doctrinal agreement, completed significant coursework, committed to continued study, and expressed a desire to gather others around God’s Word. Marco is eager to serve in this role.
Marco’s story is humbling. It raises questions I can’t ignore. Do I still have the chief parts of the catechism memorized? Do I take hold of every opportunity I can to study God’s Word? Do I look for ways to share it as naturally as he does? Marco’s story reminds me of what is most important.
And at the same time, it brings me back to the heart of it all. The same gospel that changed Marco is the same gospel that sustains us—that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done for us. It’s that message that creates faith, strengthens it, and sends people like Marco, and us, out to share it with others.
As Academia Cristo continues to grow, it’s a privilege to walk alongside brothers like Marco—men shaped by hardship, grounded in the gospel, and eager to bring the good news to others.
Written by Missionary Matt Behmer, member of the Latin America mission team.
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