By Marco Güete
Marco Güete reflects on walking the Camino de Santiago with his wife, Sandra, and the hope he sees in God’s work through Hispanic Ministries, theological education and a new generation of Hispanic pastors and church leaders.
Marco A. Güete serves as the director of Hispanic Ministries for Mennonite Church USA, a position he has held since 2015. He provides leadership and vision for Hispanic ministry initiatives, supporting congregations and pastors through training, networking and program development.
Marco and his wife, Sandra, are planning to walk 230 km (143 miles) on the Camino de Santiago from Portugal to Spain September 6-23 to raise funds for Hispanic Ministries. Read the news release here.
As Sandra and I prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago again, we have been asking ourselves a simple question: Why are we doing this again?
At our age, some people might suggest that a comfortable chair, a good cup of Colombian coffee and a quiet vacation would be a much more reasonable choice than walking more than 200 kilometers from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. They may have a point! And I am sure there will be a few mornings on the Camino when my feet will completely agree with them.
But Sandra and I have learned something through the years: sometimes God invites us to keep moving when it would be much easier to sit down. For us, the Camino is not simply about walking. It is about people. It is about the church. It is about hope. And when I think about Hispanic Ministries of Mennonite Church USA, I see many reasons to have hope.
I see God at work in people who say yes
Marco on the Camino de Santiago.
For more than four decades, I have had the privilege of walking alongside Hispanic pastors, students, congregations and emerging leaders. Many of them have responded to God’s call while working full-time jobs, raising families, serving their congregations and studying at night. Sometimes I wonder when they sleep! I understand that journey personally.
When Sandra and I came to the United States from Colombia many years ago, we were building a new life while raising our family. I worked while pursuing my university and seminary education. There were times when the road was difficult, and the future was not clear. But God was faithful.
That experience taught me something that has shaped my ministry ever since: a person’s financial situation should not determine whether they can prepare themselves to answer God’s call.
That conviction eventually became part of the vision for the Instituto Bíblico Anabautista (IBA), which began in 1988. Today, IBA continues to provide accessible biblical and theological education in Spanish.
Over the years, thousands of students have participated in educational programs connected with Hispanic Ministries. Many now serve as pastors, teachers, church planters and leaders in their congregations and communities. Every time I see one of these leaders preaching, teaching, mentoring someone or simply sitting with a person who needs someone to listen, I see God at work.
Hope has a new generation
Marco and Sandra Güete on the Camino de Santiago.
I also see hope in a new generation of leaders who are asking important questions about faith, ministry, Anabaptist identity and the future of the church. They are not simply interested in receiving information. They want to know how to follow Jesus faithfully in the realities of their communities. Through IBA, SeBAH, continuing education and the Certificate in Theology program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Hispanic pastors and leaders are finding ways to prepare for ministry while continuing to care for their families, serve their congregations and work in their communities. A new cohort began its studies in 2025, and another cohort of more than 10 students will begin in 2026 in AMBS’s Certificate in Theology program. For me, that is exciting. Every new cohort represents more than another class. Behind every student’s name is a story, a congregation, a family, a calling and a community that may be touched by that person’s ministry. And, of course, there are also papers to write, books to read, Zoom meetings to attend and deadlines to remember. Theological education requires faith — and sometimes a very reliable internet connection! But education is important because the certificate hanging on the wall is not the final goal.
Transformation is the goal
We want leaders who know Scripture, understand their Anabaptist faith, love their communities and are prepared to serve Christ and the church. That gives me great hope.
The Camino reminds me of ministry
Marco and Sandra Güete on the Camino de Santiago.
Perhaps this is why the Camino de Santiago has become such a meaningful symbol for Sandra and me. You do not walk more than 200 kilometers all at once. You walk one step at a time. Some mornings your legs feel strong. Other mornings they seem to have developed their own theology of resistance. There are beautiful views, unexpected conversations, tired feet, wrong turns, laughter, prayer and moments when you wonder why you thought walking this far was a good idea. Then you remember the people for whom you are walking. Ministry can feel very similar.
We do not always see the destination. We simply take the next faithful step.
Sandra and I have walked nearly 800 kilometers on previous pilgrimages, and, through the generosity of many people, these walks have helped raise more than $43,000 for Hispanic Ministries. This year, we are walking again with a goal of raising $25,000 to help prepare the next generation of Hispanic pastors and leaders. But the money is not what gives me the greatest hope.
The people do.
I find hope in the student who opens a book after a long day of work — even when that book has 300 pages. I find hope in the pastor who continues serving when ministry is difficult. I find hope in the congregation that recognizes gifts in a young leader and says, “We believe in you.” I find hope in teachers and mentors who generously share their knowledge and experience. I find hope in churches that understand that investing in leadership today strengthens the church of tomorrow. And I find hope every time someone hears God’s call and says, “Yes, I will serve.”
We are not walking alone
Marco and Sandra Güete on the Camino de Santiago.
After many years in ministry, I have learned that none of us makes this journey alone. Sandra has walked beside me through life, family, ministry and now many kilometers on the Camino. She has also learned one very important Camino ministry skill: knowing when to encourage me to keep walking — and when to suggest that we stop for coffee! Others have walked with us through prayer, friendship, encouragement and generosity. That is also the story of Hispanic Ministries.
We walk together
As Sandra and I begin another Camino, our prayer is that every kilometer will remind us of the pastors, students, and leaders who are also walking their own journey of faith and calling. We are walking for them. We are walking because we believe God is still calling people. We are walking because the church needs leaders who are rooted in Jesus, formed by Scripture, committed to peace and prepared to serve their communities. And we are walking because, after all these years, we still see God at work. That is where I find hope. And as long as God gives Sandra and me strength and our feet continue to cooperate, we will keep taking the next step.
Buen Camino!
Those who would like to support Hispanic Ministries can donate online or by mailing a check to Mennonite Church USA, 718 N. Main St., Newton, KS 67114. Please note EB 263 in the notes field.
Follow us on Facebook for updates on the Güetes’ journey.
