Focus

Willy is a Guatemalan pastor with “Comisión a las Américas de Guatemala.” He currently serves full-time, providing spiritual and theological guidance and training to his congregation. He also oversees six churches in one of the metropolitan areas and serves as vice president of the institution’s board of directors. His journey of faith led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at his institution’s seminary and, subsequently, to pursue a master’s degree in “Systematic Theology” at Mariano Galvez University. His focus is on strengthening all the churches of Comisión a las Américas and fostering new, emerging ministries throughout the country.

Journey

His journey of service began at a very young age, when—between the ages of 14 and 23—he was part of the worship ministry at his local church, playing the keyboard with a willing heart. Over time, that love for the church blossomed into a ten-year pastoral calling and a passion for training new ministers at the seminary.

In addition to shepherding people’s hearts, God has given Willy the opportunity to work with his hands in building and renovating churches over the past four years. For him, erecting the walls of a church isn’t just about constructing a building—it’s about building a safe haven where children and families in the community can find peace.

Today, alongside Global One80, Willy’s calling extends nationwide to embrace all the churches of Comisión a las Américas and the new ministries that are emerging. His daily work consists of walking alongside local pastors, encouraging them, equipping them, and supporting them so that their communities may flourish.

He is not on this journey alone; he is sharing it with his wife, Loidy De la Cruz. Loidy De la Cruz was born in Guatemala City and grew up in a missionary family dedicated to church planting. Her first experience in the Lord’s work came when she moved with her family to Belize to plant a church in Orange Walk Town.

After three years in Belize, her parents decided to return to Guatemala. There, they focused their efforts on planting churches in Zone 18 of the capital, a region known for its high crime rates and the presence of gangs.

Together with her sisters and parents, Loidy began serving vulnerable children in the communities where her parents were establishing new churches.

The family’s strategy was simple but effective: they developed a children’s program that allowed them to evangelize the children and, through them, reach their parents as well.

Throughout her life, Loidy has dedicated herself to serving the Lord with deep passion and love. From a very young age, she felt called to this vocation.

And now, alongside her husband, she serves in the church’s various ministries and is also a tremendous help to Willy in ministering to the mission teams that come to serve in Guatemala. Their children, Génesis and Rubén, round out this family team, growing up among the church pews and joyfully serving the little ones.

From the northern part of Guatemala City, the Méndez family coordinates each project and visits churches with a very clear vision. Their greatest desire is to empower local leaders with the Word of God and to see entire communities transformed by the love and the Gospel of Jesus.