On January 5th, 2026, the Gordon College men’s soccer team flew to Guatemala City before boarding a bus for a five-hour journey into the mountainous region of San Cristóbal. There, they would spend the next several days helping in youth soccer clinics, assisting missionaries with service projects, and competing in exhibition matches against local and professional-level teams, all while immersing themselves in Guatemalan culture.
The trip grew out of a long-held desire within the program to combine service, faith, and athletic development. The idea took shape through a personal connection between Gordon men’s soccer head coach Kellen Kasiguran and Christopher Ramirez, a former professional soccer player now working in ministry in Guatemala. When Kasiguran reflected on the team’s experience, one word kept resurfacing, impact. This impact was not just on the communities they visited, but also on the players themselves.
Among their projects was digging a drainage ditch for a missionary’s house, an experience that juniors Hunter O’Connell and Luke Lindas described as particularly meaningful. The team also spent significant time on the local soccer fields, where the sport became a bridge between cultures. O’Connell recalled arriving at a school and how as they got out to play, children and families would flock to the field, turning a simple game into a community event. Soccer created an instant connection, even with language barriers. With only six players fluent in Spanish, Kasiguran marveled at how quickly the team adapted
“Seeing the guys work together… in an environment that was challenging… and to get to see them enthusiastically do it, that was amazing,” he said.
Throughout the trip, the players immersed themselves in Guatemalan culture, sharing meals with families, exploring the towns, and learning from the children they coached. Faith was a part of their experience, not just through prayer but through acts of service. Lindas reflected on how it shaped his approach, saying “Just showing God’s love through my actions was the way that I saw my faith kind of play out through this trip.”
Beyond the structured activities, the quieter moments, late-night conversations, long bus rides, and shared meals proved equally formative. “To see the guys choose to be together in their down time… that’s a sign that the environment and the team we’re trying to build is coming to fruition,” Kasiguran said.
O’Connell added that the memories they shared will carry into the upcoming season and beyond soccer.
A key takeaway for the team was the question: How do we get beyond ourselves? They lived this out in Guatemala, using their skills and teamwork to connect, serve, and inspire. Reflecting on this while returning to Gordon, the team is exploring how to continue blending athletics with service on and off the field as they prepare for spring training
The trip concluded in Antigua, where players explored bustling markets, did some sightseeing, reflected on their experiences, and took in the historic cityscape. This was a fitting end to an experience that left a lasting impression on both the team and the communities they served.
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