El Faro is an amazing place and that lasts an impact on many people that come to serve. One of the reasons that El Faro is special is because of the people that live and serve here. This year John Keehn came and has already inspired many of us at El Faro through his servants heart and the beautiful projects that he is beginning.

How did you get to El Faro to serve as a missionary?

By plane, bus, and boat. Haha! But seriously, that’s a long story. I was first able to serve at El Faro in January of 2014 when I, along with the other youth pastor at our church, brought 17 students and adults for a week-long short-term missions trip. It was during that trip that God opened my eyes and allowed me to notice some things in the local villages as we were out working with the people. I returned home after that trip and was completely heartbroken. After about a month of prayer I decided to reach out to El Faro and see if it were possible for me to visit over the summer of 2014 for one month to see if there really was a need for what I had seen. While here for that month, God opened my eyes even more to the problems of fatherlessness and the lack of men taking responsibility in their families. It was during my month here that I began to feel God nudging me towards having a conversation with the leaders of El Faro to see if something longer term might possibly work out. I returned home that summer and after a short conversation with Peter Rios in Chicago in September, two more week long visits in November 2014 and January 2015, and much prayer and seeking God’s will we made the decision that I would come serve at El Faro as a missionary.

What ministires are you beginning at El Faro?

I am beginning two ministries here at El Faro that revolve around the men in the villages specifically, and the pastors of several local churches. The first ministry is a Men’s Discipleship Program. This ministry consists mainly of me building relationship with men that live in the village and then spending time with them in different ways. I visit them in their homes. I spend time with some of them where they work (several work here at El Faro) In the coming month I am beginning a bible study with two of the men. Several others I am doing one on one English lessons with because they have a strong desire to learn English. In all of this I am being intentional in the questions that I am asking and the conversations that I am having with these men. The reason that I felt that this ministry was needed is because this is the main thing that God has continually broken my heart over every time I have been to El Faro. I know that with the Gospel nothing is impossible and even if one or two men in the village come to know Christ and truly see that their first call as a Christian is to make disciples, that these communities could be changed forever. The other ministry that I have begun is a Pastor’s Training “Program”. I put program in quotes because it is more of a natural relationship type process than it is a program. I am currently meeting weekly or once every other week with 3 pastors (at different times) from several different villages and spending time with them at their home and visiting their churches to see what some of their greatest needs are as pastors and how I can best serve them. During my time with them I am and will be offering pastoral care for them, hands on practical training, and theological training as needed.

What challenges have you seen so far?

Two of the greatest challenges that I have experienced thus far are how closed off many of the men here are and my inability to fluently speak Spanish. As far as the men being closed off, this is not a surprise to anyone. Men everywhere are closed off. However, as I have been introduced to more and more people they are seeing me in a pastoral light as well as seeing me as a foreigner. These two things coupled together are challenging because I can see how many men are putting up walls and not allowing me to see the real them. They are showing me who they want me to think they are, not the real them. This coupled with only being able to speak what would be considered a low-intermediate level of Spanish can be very frustrating. I am learning more everyday and all of the people that I am working with are very gracious towards me and are helping me learn more but it’s absolutely a challenge at this point.

How can people help you?

People can help number one by praying for me. Pray for me that I, in all that I am trying to accomplish, love my Savior more than the ministries that I am serving in. Please pray for my learning skills as well. I want to learn more Spanish every day and this can be one of my biggest frustrations at times. People can also partner with me in these ministries financially. As I grow closer to men and their families there are specific needs that arise that I feel called to help with. As well, talking with many pastors, there are families in every church that do not have the resources to buy a bible in their own language. I have currently delivered 45 Spanish language bibles to two different churches for the pastors to give to their congregations but there is a need for more and when buying bibles in bulk there can be a considerable cost. Lastly, I always enjoy encouraging notes and corresponding with those that have similar desires and passions that I do. If anyone wants to write back and forth with me my email address is keehnj@gmail.com.

We are excited about what God is doing in the life of Jon as well as through it. If you would like to financially support him, please click here