Global Shore Opportunities exists to transform Guatemala through Christ-centred education.
OUR
MISSIONARIES
Whether it's four months, a year, several years or a lifetime, the staff represented here have left family, friends, work, and their culture to serve God and advance His kingdom in Guatemala. Your partnership with their ministry with GSO is a blessing; their work is your work, too. Thank you for joining them in ministry.
Beth & Fred Brown moved down to Guatemala in January 2017. As TEFL Program Director, Beth is passionate about her profession. She is a certified B.C. teacher with a Master’s Degree in TESOL. Beth provides direction and builds community for the short-term TEFL teachers from Canada, and teaches English classes at our high school. We are grateful for her passion and love for GSO!
As Communications Director, Fred plans, develops and implements GSO content through print, e-mail, website and social media channels. As Short-Term Opportunities Director, Fred coordinates on-the-ground details for short-term teams visiting Guatemala, telling stories, translating, making spreadsheets, driving and liaising with local staff.
Max Funk grew up in Abbotsford, BC, where he studied Spanish in high school and went on two short term missions trips to Latin America. He studied graphic design at Emily Carr University and was called by God to join the TEFL team while visiting Fred and Beth on a personal trip in November 2017.
Max has fallen in love with the community in Guatemala and has dedicated his life to the vision of Global Shore. Sign up below to support Max’s ministry on an ongoing basis through monthly support.
Bethany Pasma has a passion and a calling for teaching. In the 15 years since graduating from Calvin University she has taught grades 5 and 6 at John Knox Christian School in Oakville, Ontario. There, Bethany fell in love with teaching language arts and became a respected leader of the school’s program for senior elementary students. She has continued to learn and develop as a professional, presenting multiple seminars on language arts pedagogy for Christian school teachers in Ontario.
Bethany has long desired to teach in another country. She visited Guatemala in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and loves the Guatemalan people and country. Bethany is an avid reader, writer, musician, worship leader, and language learner, and glad to be part of the Global Shore team — so glad that she’s staying through the 2022 school year!
Ella Schinkel grew up in Essex, Ontario where she attended Maranatha Christian Academy. On her Grade 12 missions trip in 2017, she visited GSO and fell in love with Guatemala and the work done at the school. She went on to do the summer program in 2018 and join another short-term team. She has been working in eye care for the past 3 years but felt God’s strong calling to join the TEFL team as an assistant. She is excited to see the plans God has in store for her and to share the gifts he has given her!
Lexi Putman de Pelaez serves as the bridge between our Canadian donors and Guatemalan staff & students. She spends her time translating letters, throwing birthday parties and building community. Originally joining us as a participant on the Summer Program in 2014, Lexi moved to Guatemala in 2016 and is married to Jimmy, one of the teachers at our school. Lexi is energetic and loves people, and we are so happy to have her on the GSO team!