What does a 30-year-old social worker, a 45-year-old youth leader, and a former superintendent from Mexico have in common? Each is part of a new generation of leaders serving the Free Methodist Church in Latin America.

Together with others, they make up eight recently appointed – or soon-to-be commissioned – mission district leaders and superintendents across the region. Their stories highlight the rich diversity of Latin America: different cultures, backgrounds, ages and educational paths, all united by a shared calling to serve God and His church.

Each leader brings something unique to the table – personal experience, cultural insight and a distinct leadership style. These differences don’t divide the church; they strengthen it, helping ministry grow and reach more people in meaningful ways.

This leadership transition didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of intentional investment in emerging leaders and a commitment to place people where their gifts can thrive. At the heart of this effort is a guiding principle known as “2:2:2,” based on 2 Timothy 2:2. In this verse, the Apostle Paul urges Timothy to pass on what he has learned to faithful people who will, in turn, teach others.

That vision shaped the Latin American Leaders Summit held in February. Each national leader was asked to bring one or more “Timothys” – younger or emerging leaders they are mentoring. Together, they worked on effectively communicating the gospel across cultures, practiced listening to God and one another through spiritual discernment, and began developing ministry plans looking ahead to the year 2030.

Because not every leadership team could attend in full, participants returned home with a framework rather than a finished plan. The next step is to continue shaping those plans alongside local leaders. Still, the most important outcome was already clear: Experienced leaders and emerging leaders sat at the same table, seeking God’s direction together and learning from one another.

Today, leaders like Sarahi Núñez in Honduras, Esteban Flores in El Salvador and Juan Carlos Rodríguez in Paraguay are living out this model. They are honoring and building on the legacy they inherited while intentionally investing in their own “Timothys.” Through this shared commitment, God’s mission continues to move forward – faithfully and sustainably – for generations to come.