Empowered to Lead: How Iris from Belize Found His Voice for the Next Generation

In Orange Walk Town, a growing hub in northern Belize surrounded by sugarcane fields and Mayan ruins, tradition and transformation live side-by-side. 

While the country is steeped in Christian heritage, today’s youth are facing an identity crisis. Rising fatherlessness, digital distraction, and spiritual disconnection are reshaping how young people see themselves and the Church. Even in close-knit communities, teens are more connected to global trends than to God’s Word.

For Iris Torres, a 26-year-old youth leader, those pressures weren’t just abstract statistics; they were the faces of the children and teens he served. Every week, he served kids full of potential, yet weighed down by questions, distractions, and spiritual emptiness.

“Although I had the passion and desire to serve,” Iris shared, “I lacked practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to address the challenges of working with young people.”

Access to youth ministry training in Belize is limited, and many churches operate with minimal resources. Despite his strong desire to lead well, Iris struggled with confidence and doubted his ability to make a meaningful impact.

That changed when he joined the Avivemos Academy, a OneHope program that equips next-generation Christian leaders across Latin America and the Caribbean to effectively reach and disciple children and youth in their context.

“From day one, I immersed myself in a learning environment that was focused on both theory and practice,” he said.

The training modules helped Iris understand how to connect with Gen Z in a way that was biblical and relevant. 

“One of the most shocking sessions for me was the one that focused on ‘Global Youth Culture.’ This session opened my eyes to the various realities and challenges faced by young people in different parts of the world. I learned to adapt my approach and to be more inclusive and relevant in my ministry.”

He collaborated with fellow leaders from other nations, engaged in group projects, and found himself growing, not just in knowledge, but spiritually.

“The moments of devotion and spiritual reflection, along with the profound teachings of the Word of God, strengthened my faith and gave me a new conviction to serve,” Iris said.