Q&A WITH AN SIM LEADER: ANDRÉS CORRALES

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Tell us a little about your background

I was born and brought up in Costa Rica. When I left high school, I went to college to study advertising. I got involved in student ministry and went on a shortterm mission trip to serve and distribute Christian resources, including the Jesus Film, to Muslim people who were crossing Europe to North Africa for their summer holidays.

That experience had a significant impact on me. When I came back, I changed university, and career path, to do Intercultural Studies at the Evangelical University and work part-time as an ‘offering collector’ for the mission workers in FEDEMEC (a local mission agency). Back then, it was rare for people to give by bank transfer, so I had to go to their homes or offices to get their donations. I can tell you that I walked a lot at that time!

After that, I was the director of the youth missionary mobilisation programmes of the Costa Rican mission agency.

Tell us a little about your family

Sonia and I have been married for 19 years. We got married when we were living in Costa Rica and have two daughters, who still live with us - Abigail, 16, and Camila, 12. They have grown up in Uruguay all their life.

How did God lead you into SIM?

After several years in FEDEMEC, I left to work in the family business and as a youth pastor of a church in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Gradually, the relationship between SIM and FEDEMEC grew and the opportunity arose to start a ministry to youth leaders in Uruguay, so they contacted me. Then the former director of SIM Uruguay came to Costa Rica, stayed in our home, and encouraged us to explore Uruguay as a country to go to as mission workers.

What are the key things you hope to achieve with SIM?

I would like to see how there can be greater synergy between the various SIM entities and how those entities can serve more closely with the national church, developing ministries that impact those who live and die without Jesus.

What inspires you when life gets difficult?

I grew up with a significant influence from my mother, so I remember a lot of her words. She left last year to be in her new home with the Lord and I sincerely remember a lot of her advice and philosophy of life and her unwavering love for the Lord and the church.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I love to go for walks with Sonia and find places to have coffee. I am also part of a soccer team, and we play in an amateur league, so I love to train twice a week with the team. It’s great to have a coach and team-mates.

What is your favourite Bible verse and why?

Mark 3: 13-14 - Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.

It reminds me that his choice for me depends on his grace and that there is nothing I can do NOT to be loved and called by him. It draws my attention to the fact that my first calling is to be with him, and then it encourages me to keep sharing the gospel of Christ with others.

What’s your favourite film or TV series and why?

Possibly the Life is Beautiful movie because it reminds me that it is worth laughing and dreaming, even in the worst moments.

How can we pray for you and your family?

For my daughters in their adolescence and college, that God will provide us with everything we need to continue investing in their lives so they can flourish.

May God give me grace and wisdom in the new role I have assumed as regional director.