Guatemala welcomed me with open arms... I feel like God shaped me to belong here.
The first time Bryan Crabtree came to Guatemala
He didn’t know what to expect. He was just a young man following an invitation—one of those mission trips you think might be meaningful, maybe even fun. But what Bryan found was something far deeper.
From the very beginning, he was captivated. The vibrant colors, the open smiles, the stories of resilience and faith—it all stirred something in him. He fell in love not just with the country, but with the mission itself. That first trip planted a seed, and he found himself returning year after year, joining teams. Each experience drew him closer to Guatemala and to the people he had come to love.
Bryan Crabtree
By 2019, Bryan felt something shifting
Bryan felt something shifting. He wanted to go deeper, to understand more, to give more. So he signed up for a three-month internship with Bethel Ministries—three months that would stretch him, grow him, and awaken something within him.
During those months, Bryan immersed himself in the mission. He worked side by side with local staff, served incoming teams, delivered wheelchairs, and built relationships that felt like family. He found joy in the hard work, peace in the small moments, and purpose in every prayer and act of service.
That’s when he felt the call. Not just a fleeting emotion, but a quiet, persistent voice in his spirit: “This is what I made you for.”
But as the internship came to a close
Bryan had a heart-to-heart conversation with Ben. It was clear to both of them—though the calling was real, the timing wasn’t yet right. There were still steps to take, space to grow, and time to let God continue shaping his heart. Bryan returned to the U.S., holding that calling close, letting it mature like fruit on the vine.
And then, in the summer of 2023, something beautiful happened. Ben and Emily Mooney visited Bryan’s church. As they reconnected, Ben placed his arm around Bryan’s shoulder and simply asked, “So when are you going to Guatemala as a missionary?”
That moment was more than a question—it was confirmation. “Now is the time.”
Bryan didn’t hesitate. He set a plan in motion
He finished his studies, committed to prayer, and began raising support for what would become the next chapter of his life. For nine months, he worked, waited, and trusted—and God provided. When he finally landed in Guatemala, it didn’t feel foreign. It felt like home.
“Guatemala welcomed me with open arms,” Bryan shares. “I feel like God shaped me to belong here. I’ve never felt out of place. I know this is where I’m meant to be.”
Today, Bryan serves full-time with Bethel Ministries, giving his heart and hands to the people who once captured his heart. His days are filled with service, laughter, learning, and love—and through it all, the steady rhythm of God’s calling continues to echo.