Who We Are
One Child El Salvador began as a Mission of Dahlonega Methodist Church (DMC) in Dahlonega, GA in 2006. The church was seeking a mission that would have far-reaching, lasting impact. During a mission trip to El Salvador, God revealed that this is where He was calling us to serve.
The Original Visionaries – Pastor Mauricio & Nelly Barrientos
Pastor Mauricio Barrientos, a blessed man of God, felt a call many years ago to help the poor children in his country. He knew that his country, although very beautiful, was a dark place spiritually.
El Salvador is one of the poorest, and one of the most violent nations in the world. There is also a deep problem in the moral fiber of the country. Pastor Mauricio found that about 90% of the children in the country’s orphanages are not truly orphans, but rather surrenders by single mothers who have no means of supporting themselves or their children.
He was obedient to God, and, along with his wife and partner in ministry, Nelly, eventually built and opened a church and private Christian school in Santa Ana, El Salvador – now in its 28th year of operation.
But he knew he was to do more.
When members of the original mission team from DMC met with Pastor Mauricio in 2006 to find out how we could partner with him to make a difference in El Salvador, he shared his vision of reaching the poor children in the communities and rural areas of his country.
And thus began our mission together – the building of our first school in the little village of La Magdalena.