Meeting human needs in Jesus' name
ABOUT THE GUATEMALA PARTNERSHIP: Baptists on Mission, working in cooperation with IICD (International Indigenous Community Development) have been sending teams to Guatemala since 2011 in an effort to reach the Quiche people for Christ at the Good Shepherd Ministry Center in the city of Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela (Shay-lah). There, we work with Roger and Vickie Grossmann, former missionaries with the IMB. The Grossmanns developed Good Shepherd Ministries, which runs a medical clinic and church leadership training center in Xela, as well as the Good Shepherd Children’s Home. We are also blessed to partner with the Baptist Children’s Homes of NC in support of the Good Shepherd Children’s Home. If you have any questions concerning our partners or the nature of work in Guatemala, please contact our office for more information.
VOLUNTEER TEAMS will serve in 2026 through a variety of mission projects.Teams of 8-13 will serve from Saturday to Saturday throughout most of the year. A description of what kind of teams are needed can be found below. Click here to see a current date list. Baptists on Mission will secure airfare, volunteer missionary insurance, and all logistics for the team. Costs will vary somewhat depending on the current cost of airfare and the number of volunteers on the team. See below for additional information about potential costs. While most teams are made up of those from a church or association, it may be possible to place individuals on teams. If you are interested in joining a team, please contact us!
The majority of teams are needed throughout the year to assist in the continuation of construction on a director’s house located on the site of the Good Shepherd Center. Teams will have supervision and work with Guatemalans on-site. A variety of construction skills are needed, and there is a job for everyone, regardless of skill level. If needed, teams may also assist with various “home improvement” projects in and around the Good Shepherd Children’s Home facility. Includes $3000 ministry cost per team.
Note: We will need some teams to make adobe blocks! Never made adobe blocks? No problem! Any team can do it! Making these blocks is vital to the success of the rest of the year’s construction. We will also need some skilled carpentry teams.
Two to three teams are needed to serve in mobile clinics in strategic villages. Teams should be built around 2-3 primary care providers (MDs, DOs, NPs, or PAs) who will see patients. Other team members serve as support personnel, and should be mostly comprised of medical professionals. Medication dispensary should be manned by a health care practitioner (pharmacist preferred, but RNs also work well in this capacity). Teams will need to bring in the medications they will use, counting on seeing at least 30 patients per person; per day. Organization of the clinic is conducted by Dr. Vicki Grossmann (DNP) and Guatemalan leaders. Most teams will stay at the Good Shepherd Center, and prepare meals there, using food that they have purchased once in-town. Includes $2000 ministry cost per team.
A few teams are needed to conduct 2 days of school outreach, similar to Vacation Bible School, with Bible Story, games, crafts, recreation, and music. Students will either be brought in to the Good Shepherd Center for daily activities – or team may travel to areas just outside of Xela. Team will need to bring all VBS-type materials with them. On other days, the team will work on projects at and around the Good Shepherd Center. Includes $2000 ministry cost per team.
Two youth leadership and two pastor’s conference teams are needed in 2026. These are small teams – 3-6 total, depending on conference. Each of these events will require a dynamic speaker, worship leader, and 2-3 to help with meal preparation for the participants and team. The program for these events will be planned by missionaries Roger and Vicki Grossmann, who will work with the speaker in preparation. At least one Spanish speaker on the team would be helpful, but not necessarily essential. The partnering church will be asked to contribute $2000 -$2500 toward the operation of the conferences, depending on number of participants.
Couples are needed to serve as assistants at the Good Shepherd Children’s Home. Length of service will be from one to three months. Volunteers will assist the Children’s Home staff in whatever tasks are needed. This may include cleaning, maintenance, painting, cooking, washing clothes, landscaping, or any other number of tasks. Need those who are self-starters and who can live and work in a non-English speaking environment. Volunteers will live in a small efficiency apartment on the property. Volunteers will purchase their own food and prepare most meals in the apartment. Missionaries will orient the couple in how to utilize local transportation.
Logistics: Baptists on Mission will arrange airfare, background checks, and insurance for all teams. Lodging, in-country transportation, and ministry-related needs will be arranged by field personnel. Most teams stay at the Good Shepherd Center in Xela.
Team Makeup: Ideal team size is 8-13 members, 13 being the upper limit due to lodging and vehicle limits. Participants must be 18 years old. Those 15 and up may participate as long as accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Costs: Total cost will be dependent on: 1) number of members on the team, and 2) the current cost of airfare. Each person will need a valid passport. Be aware that passports must have at least six months remaining from time of departure. Make sure you check yours! Hepitiatus A and Tetanus immunizations are recommended.
Airfare costs will vary from team to team and generally fall between $850 and $1050 – but could be more or less – depending upon time of year and availability. Baptists on Mission will secure tickets based on times that we need teams to arrive/depart – always looking for the least expensive option available. (Understand that we have back to back teams throughout much of the year, and need to carefully coordinate when teams arrive and depart.) The team leader will be informed as to which day tickets will be ordered. Once ordered, team leader will be sent an email detailing flight itineary and total trip costs, and will have until the next day to confirm or make any changes.
2026 Per Person Field Costs Include: Lodging – $33 per night; Insurance (mandatory) – $4.00 per day; Background Check (required) – $10; Van/Driver Cost will be $1400 for teams of 8 and up, divided by number on team. Van/Driver Cost for teams under 8 will be $175 per team member. These costs are sent to the BOM office prior to your trip. Meals – Volunteers will carry $200 with them in crisp, new bills to be converted once on the field for food costs. The team will purchase food at local grocery store, and prepare their own meals during the week. (You may or may not spend the full $200.)
Construction and maintenance teams will have a ministry cost of $3000 per team, either paid by the church or divided by volunteers and added to per person cost. Other teams will have a ministry cost of $2000 (reduced since they may be brining some ministry supplies down with them, such as medicines, etc.) These ministry costs go to Good Shepherd Ministries, and are for direct ministry expenses that the team will incur while in country, as well as on-going ministry support such as Guatemalan worker salaries (not missionary support), utilities, ministry development, etc.
Mark Abernathy
Baptists on Mission (BOM)
(919) 459-5607
mabernathy@ncbaptist.org
No Guatemala projects found.
