Hans & Becky Marron

Executive Director

Hans encountered the Lord at an Agua Viva youth camp in 1999. He is passionate about reaching Mexico for Christ and training the next generation of leaders. He has a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and worked as an elementary school principal for 8 years before leaving that position to serve full-time at Agua Viva.

Hans holds the highest management position in the organization and is the leader of all ministry strategies and activities. He met his wife, Becky, at Agua Viva in 2007, married her in 2014, and has led youth camps since 2016. They have two daughters, Maddie and Emma, and live at Agua Viva.

When she was 6 years old, Becky visited Agua Viva on a short-term mission trip, joined full-time staff in 2006, and stepped down after the birth of their first daughter in 2015. Becky’s grandfather, Richard Heinrichs, got involved with Agua Viva in 1983, became good friends with founder Chuy Davalos, and was influential in first bringing American groups here. Her parents, Dave and Karen, led short-term mission trips for over 20 years, and Dave served on the board of directors from 2010 to 2017.

Becky will lead recruiting and training for the intern program, organize youth camps and special events, and oversee the English social media pages.

Gabriel & Mary Palacios

Facilities Director & Director of Camps

Gabriel first came to Agua Viva in search of stable work. He was invited to assist with the construction of the CECAM building, and from the moment he set foot on the grounds, he felt something stir in his heart. It was through his work and the relationships he built that he encountered God. Today, Gabriel oversees maintenance, leaving a lasting mark on this place through his dedicated efforts.

Mary, new in her faith, was offered a position working with Mexican groups after leaving her previous job. Now, she oversees that area, serving over 6,000 Mexican campers each year. Together, Gabriel and Mary form a team that views their roles at Agua Viva not just as jobs but as a service with eternal significance. Every day, they find joy in the work they do, knowing it contributes to something greater.

Gerardo & Bertha Reynoso

Executive Chef & Sous Chef

Gerardo and Bertha are a couple who exemplify how God can transform lives and guide them toward a greater purpose. Gerardo, once a local businessman, underwent a radical change after a profound encounter with God. This transformation led him to serve as an administrator in his local church, and today, he uses his skills and experience to manage the kitchen administration at Agua Viva. For Gerardo, this role is much more than just a job; it is an expression of his deep gratitude for the new life that God has given him.

Bertha’s journey to Agua Viva began unexpectedly when she brought children to a summer camp. The experience deeply impacted her—not just the place, but the mission and the heart behind the work being done there. This encounter sparked a desire in her to become a part of the ministry.

Today, Gerardo and Bertha serve with passion and dedication, knowing they are in the place where God wants them, helping to transform lives and reflecting the love of Christ in every task they undertake.

Hilda Rentería

Director of Finance

Hilda Rentería’s journey with Agua Viva began in her teenage years, participating in youth camps in the 1990s. Little did she know, those early experiences were just the beginning of a deeper calling that would shape her life.

As Hilda pursued her professional career, God opened doors she never anticipated, guiding her toward a path that was not only about academic growth but also about discovering her true purpose in ministry. Today, she serves as the Director of Finance at Agua Viva, dedicating her time, skills, and heart to advancing the Lord’s work.

Hilda is also a proud adoptive mother to her beautiful daughter, Alyssa. Known for her humility and unwavering faith, Hilda embodies God’s love in everything she does. Her story is a powerful testament to how answering God’s call can transform a life and bring hope to those around her.

Rafael & Marcia Alcala

Coffee Shop

Rafa and Marcia are a couple passionate about serving God with what He has placed in their hands. Both hold degrees in International Trade and Customs, and for several years they worked along the border. Later, God led them to start their own business, and in time, He also called them to become fully involved in ministry.

Rafa, a music enthusiast and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Biblical Ministry, joyfully serves in the cafeteria, welcoming students and groups with dedication and warmth.

Marcia studied at CECAM in 2009 and is now completing a diploma in Bible and Theology. She is passionate about biblical counseling and lives with the goal of doing everything for the glory of God. At the ranch, she serves as a receptionist and also helps in the cafeteria, always striving to make everyone who arrives feel like family—reminding us that we are one body in Christ.

Kearstin Gondek

Donor Relations Coordinator

Kearstin Gondek’s journey with Agua Viva began when she first came to Mexico on a short-term mission trip with her church. During that trip, she not only served but also felt God’s clear calling to return. Soon after, she joined the summer staff, and it was in that season that the Lord placed a deeper call on her heart—to serve full-time in Mexico through Agua Viva Ministries.

For seven years, Kearstin faithfully served in the Short Term Missions department, helping connect teams from the United States and beyond with opportunities to share Christ’s love in Mexico. Her passion, creativity, and heart for people left a lasting impact on both visiting groups and the communities they served.

After getting married and moving back to the United States, Kearstin entered a new season as a wife and mother of two young children. Yet her love for Agua Viva never faded.

Today, she continues to serve remotely, focusing on donor relations and partnerships with American groups.

Her story is one of obedience, perseverance, and joy. Whether coordinating teams, building relationships, or caring for her family, Kearstin’s dedication to God’s Kingdom and to the mission of Agua Viva is evident in all she does.

Kevin Davis

Short Term Missions Director

Kevin Is a retired Fireman from The United states, after a 30 year career in the fire service Kevin found Christ as a 50 year old, soon afterwards Kevin was led by God to go and serve and make disciples as it tells us to do in the Bible. Kevin Traveled to Mexico 5 years ago and has never returned as God has been clear about serving the Mexican people.

Kevin came to Agua Viva as a volunteer in 2024 and then full time as a volunteer in January 2025. Kevin is here to serve and listen to the calling God has put in his life, it is about saying yes when God ask and being obedient. And God has been very clear to Kevin in bringing him here to Agua Viva.

God has said to Kevin he will provide for him and take care of him as he serves here at Agua Viva, feel free to ask him how God has led him here and his testimony if you ever meet him. Kevin says our stories are meant to be shared and used to honor what God can do to us at any age.

Luis & Sarita Crespo

Director of Education

Luis serves as Director of CECAM and is also a pastor at a Free Methodist church in Ensenada. With 24 years of pastoral ministry experience, he brings a wealth of practical wisdom to the classroom and to his leadership at CECAM. His experience is an important resource for students as they prepare for ministry and learn what it means to faithfully serve the local church.

Luis is known for his gentle character, love for the Lord, and intentional commitment to serving others. His wife, Sarita, is a nurse by profession and serves as an administrative assistant at CECAM. Her care for the students and strong organizational skills complement Luis’s teaching and leadership, making them an effective team.

Luis and Sarita are parents to Esteban, their biological son, and their two adopted daughters, Daniela and Ariani. Together, they serve the Lord with love and dedication, investing in the lives of CECAM students and helping prepare the next generation for ministry.

Iriving Meza

Dean of Students

Irving came to know the Lord while he was in high school. Because of financial circumstances, his mother asked him to take a year away from school and work. During that time, his coworkers shared the gospel with him, and he gave his life to Christ.

With no Christian background, Irving soon heard about a seminary. Curious about what it was, he began asking questions and eventually decided to pursue biblical training at a Nazarene seminary alongside his wife. After four years of study, they entered pastoral ministry and served together for a season.

The Lord later led Irving to Ensenada, where he became involved in ministry as an assistant pastor and CECAM instructor. As he prayed about his future, his desire was to serve God full-time through ministry and biblical teaching. Shortly after that prayer, Agua Viva contacted him about the opportunity to serve as Dean of Students. Irving sees that call as a clear answer from God.

His passion for teaching, discipleship, and preparing young people for ministry is evident in the way he serves and in every conversation he has with students.

Marbelidia Perez

Kitchen Staff

Originally from Chiapas, Marbelidia came to CECAM in August 2021 to complete the one-year Bible and Ministry program. After graduating, she returned to her hometown, but the desire to come back and serve at Agua Viva remained on her heart.

At the time, there was no open position for her. Several months later, however, she received a call from Agua Viva’s kitchen team inviting her to join the staff. For Marbelidia, that opportunity was an answer to the desire God had already placed in her heart.

Today, she serves God through the practical work of preparing meals and caring for those who come through Agua Viva. She finds great joy in serving students who, like her, have come to be equipped to serve God. Her work in the kitchen gives her a meaningful way to use her life in service to others and to the Lord.

Luis Miguel Medina

Maintenance

Luis Miguel is a young man from the Wixárika community. He and his family were recently forced to leave their community because of their Christian faith. They found refuge among believers in another Wixárika community, where they were welcomed and given a place to live.

His pastor later told him about Agua Viva and the opportunity to come and serve. Luis Miguel arrived with questions and mixed emotions, and with little experience in maintenance work. At Agua Viva, however, he has found more than a place to work—he has found community, encouragement, and mentorship.

Under the guidance of Gabriel, Agua Viva’s Facilities Director, Luis Miguel is learning practical maintenance skills while also being discipled in character, faith, and love for God and others. His time at Agua Viva is becoming a season of both personal growth and preparation for the future.

Gustavo Carrillo

Maintenance

Gustavo is a young man from the Wixárika community. After finishing high school, he did not yet have a clear plan for what would come next. During an Agua Viva mission trip to his community, he learned about an opportunity to join the maintenance team and decided to take that step.

Several years later, Gustavo has developed a genuine passion for his work. He understands that the projects he completes and the facilities he helps care for have a purpose beyond the work itself. By helping keep Agua Viva ready to receive students, campers, churches, and mission teams, his daily work contributes directly to the ministry taking place here.

Gustavo is known for his warm personality and kind character. He serves faithfully and has come to see his work not simply as a job, but as a meaningful way to serve God and others.

Adrian Naranjo

Maintenance

Adrian, better known among the Agua Viva staff as “Asok,” first came to Agua Viva as a CECAM student. During his time in the program, his practical abilities and knowledge in maintenance quickly stood out. When he completed his studies, an opportunity opened for him to remain at Agua Viva and join the maintenance team.

Originally from Tijuana, Adrian works hard to grow in both his responsibilities and his relationship with God. He brings useful skills, a willingness to learn, and a desire to do his work well.

Through his service, Adrian helps care for the facilities that make Agua Viva’s ministries possible. His contribution to the maintenance team is practical and valuable, and his desire to continue growing personally and spiritually is an important part of his journey here.

Arely Perez

Kitchen Staff

Originally from the Tojolabal Indigenous community, Arely came to CECAM with a desire to know Jesus more deeply and prepare herself to serve Him. During her time as a student, she also served among her own people, helping bring the gospel to remote communities where access can be difficult due to the presence and control of local armed groups.

After completing her studies at CECAM, Arely was invited to join Agua Viva’s kitchen team, where she continues to serve today. Her love for Jesus, joyful personality, and heart for others are evident in the way she serves.

Arely brings more than great flavor to the meals prepared at Agua Viva—through her work, she demonstrates how even the everyday act of serving a meal can become an opportunity to serve God and care for others.

Toño Luna

Grounds Keeper

Antonio Luna—affectionately known as Toño—is a retired member of the Mexican Navy who made a heartfelt promise to God to dedicate his life to ministry after finishing his military service. Though he initially forgot this vow, God did not.

In 2003, Toño fulfilled his promise by joining Agua Viva, where he now takes pride in maintaining the green areas and gardens in pristine condition. His work goes beyond planting flowers and trees; it embodies his deep commitment to Agua Viva’s vision of reaching Mexico for Christ.

Toño treasures his role, seeing Agua Viva as a sanctuary where God’s praise is a constant presence. His love for serving others and his dedication to the mission reflect his belief in the transformative power of faith and community.