Mission and Values
Mission
To inspire a lifelong commitment to a faith that works for justice through transformative, intercultural experiences living the Gospel of Christ in solidarity with marginalized communities.
La Misión
Inspirar un compromiso de vida con una fe que trabaja por la justicia a través de experiencias transformadoras e interculturales conviviendo el Evangelio de Cristo en solidaridad con comunidades marginadas.
We ground ourselves in these core values: shared experience of faith, serving in solidarity with those on the margins, mutuality, build intercultural community, living simply, and hospitality.
We believe in a faith which is transformative and hopeful, which celebrates the unity and diversity of God’s creation. We desire to see Christ in each person and to communicate Christ’s love through our actions and words. We are grounded by our Catholic faith which calls us to a radical openness to and trust in God’s unconditional love and mercy for all.
We choose to live in economically impoverished communities, to enter into these communities with humility and partner with local efforts that respond to their basic needs and seek to understand the causes of the injustices in which they live.
We recognize the dignity of every person and the diversity of the human family. We commit to fostering interpersonal relationships of mutual appreciation, respect, and accountability. We do this by honoring each individual’s unique identities, inclusive of their gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and status, as we open ourselves to learning from them and sharing ourselves authentically in return.
We commit to living in an intentional Christian community supporting each other’s spiritual and personal growth with love, acceptance, and understanding; and sharing resources to ensure that each person has what they need to thrive.
We prioritize authentic relationships with God and others. We recognize the limits of our common home, and act to end the unjust distribution of wealth and opportunity.
We believe that opening our hearts and homes to others is an opportunity to receive God’s blessings and to share Christ’s love.
Where We Are
Monte Sinaí, Ecuador
Rostro de Cristo volunteers currently live and work in Monte Sinaí, a community located in the northwestern part of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. Monte Sinaí’s population of approximately 133,000 live in 39 cooperatives spread across 36 square miles. These inhabitants have migrated here from other parts of Guayaquil and various provinces throughout the country seeking better educational and employment opportunities. Such cultural diversity weaves a beautiful tapestry! Neighbors in Monte Sinaí have also been drawn here by the opportunity to purchase land and build a home for their families. Unfortunately, Monte Sinaí has a complex history of land trafficking which has subjected many to forced displacement and a lack of resources and services, such as running water and paved roads. Thanks to the dedicated work of local community members (mainly women!) who received training on law and their individual and collective rights, these advocates shed light on discrepancies in land ownership and were able to successfully launch a process of land legalization. Community members are currently in the process of legalizing their land, homes, and businesses. It is truly a privilege to be welcomed into this sacred space, as neighbors graciously accept the threads that we bring and humbly teach us to weave them into the tapestry of Monte Sinaí year after year.
Explore an interactive map of our communities, programs, partners and project sites.
For information, go to
Recent Ministry Placements page to learn more.