Efraín Jiménez first felt God’s call to become a pastor when he was just 21. At the time, he wasn’t quite sure what that would look like or how to begin serving, but it was through missionary work that the path began to take shape. After a season of prayer and seeking direction, he arrived in Mazatlán in 2017 to take a course at the local Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base—and that’s where his journey as a full-time missionary began.

Over the years, God opened doors for Efraín to lead mission teams to several countries and serve in different regions across Mexico. It was during his time in Mazatlán that he first visited Isla de la Piedra, where he met two missionaries, Alejandro and Andrea, who left a deep impact on his life. They had been praying for a pastor for the island. At first, Efraín didn’t sense a specific calling to that place—but over time, God made His purpose clear.

In 2017, Efraín also met Amanda, his future wife, at the YWAM base. A few years later, in 2019, they began dating, got engaged, and were married in 2020. Today, Amanda and Efraín have been married for five years, have served as pastors for three, and have been full-time missionaries for eight years.

Together, they sought God’s direction and began hosting a small Bible study in their home—what started as a simple gathering has now become the foundation of a growing church. For the past three years, Efraín and Amanda have been pastoring Calvary Isla de la Piedra, where they’ve witnessed beautiful growth—not just spiritually, but in the church’s structure and connection to the community.

As part of their ongoing mission, they’re also deeply involved in launching Academia Ancla, a faith-based educational initiative born from Amanda’s and Merab’s shared passion for learning and their deep love for the children of the island. Along with other missionaries who serve in the community, they carry a united vision: to reflect God’s love in all they do and to be active participants in the restoration and future of Isla de la Piedra.

Efraín’s role in the Ancla community is to offer spiritual support to both the children and staff, as well as to his wife Amanda. He will also be teaching carpentry classes—equipping the kids with valuable, hands-on skills they can use in everyday life.