RENEW International and Its Commitment to Latin America

RENEW International has a long history of helping the people of Latin America build their faith. They started their ministry work in Belize and it quickly spread to El Salvador, Honduras, Puerto Rico, and other parts of Latin America. The efforts of RENEW International in this part of the world were pioneered in El Salvador by Dr. Irma Chavez in 1987. There, she helped organize hundreds of thousands of Christians into small communities within different dioceses. She then effectively applied the principals of RENEW International and used their faith-sharing materials to strengthen their sense of Catholic community, build their faith in God, and positively impact their society.

Many of those which were helped by Dr. Chavez were poor young people who were strongly in need of a positive focus in their lives. They had been plagued by gangs, ravaged by civil war, and existed in a disordered society where people no longer helped one another. RENEW International's leadership training had a tremendous impact on these at-risk youth. They were taught new job skills through craftsmanship programs. These young adults were encouraged to support themselves while helping their families and greater community. RENEW International gave them a feeling of pride in themselves and the confidence and comfort which comes from knowing God's love.

When news of the success RENEW International was having in El Salvador spread to Honduras, Father Delio Diaz reached out to them for similar help. Father Diaz, along with three other priests, had to administer to the spiritual needs of over 220,000 parishioners. Dr. Chavez went to Honduras and where she helped establish smaller Christian communities within the parish. The materials of RENEW International were used to help the faithful better understand how to apply the principals of Catholicism to their daily lives. Their programs also reached those spiritually in need, renewing their faith and enabling them to bear witness of Christ among them.

Today RENEW International continues its work in Latin America and other countries. The organization is committed to helping people all over the world create an environment where people can experience the glory of God's presence and support one another in a true Christian community. Through their members, materials, and programs, they are assisting struggling Catholics become happier, more productive people who can better help themselves by strengthening their relationship with God.