A message from
Jordana Engebretsen (Quintero), founder:

Since 1995, I have been involved in many facets of ministry for persons with disabilities. I have been blessed tremendously by God through these experiences. I have learned much about God's love and His ways of expressing His love for all people, regardless of their abilities.

During the summer of 1995, I had the opportunity to work in a camp ministry for the disabled. Through this experience, God revealed to me and gave me the specific calling for my life in ministry with camps for the disabled.

Twice again, during 1997, I worked at this camp. My responsiblities in ministry included teaching Bible studies to different disability groups, devotions for the support staff, help with programming the activities for the campers, and establishing relationships, one by one, with the campers.

I have earned a Masters Degree in Special Education at Bemidji State University. I believe combining this level of training with my Bachelors Degree in Christian Education will serve well to fulfull this calling God has placed on me.

Summer of 1998 I had to opportunity to direct and organize a camp for Down Syndrome children in my home country, Ecuador. The name of the camp was Campamento Cristo Vive, which means "Christ is alive." I was able to recruit, train and lead the team of Christians to work together to develop the activities and ministerial materials, which brought the love of Jesus to the campers. This was the birth of Cristo Vive Ministries.

I believe that a minister needs to be able to relate to the people that God has given him or her a heart for, to be more effective within the ministry. On this note, I would like to describe my own disabilities, which have helped to create a bridge for me and which have enabled me to reach this neglected group with the love of Jesus and the hope that He gives us for our lives. As a consequence of sickness (Lupus), I lost my sight at age 21 and have had walking difficulties which require me to use a walker in order to get around.