Marcos Chavez, Associate Pastor for La Mascota 316 Campus and Youth Pastor over all Campuses

Marcos Chávez was born on April 19, 1994, in San Salvador. When he was one year old, his parents divorced, yet both continued pursuing God—something that became a blessing, as each invested intentionally in Marcos’ spiritual formation. He grew up attending church with his mother every Sunday, though his heart was elsewhere. His dream was singular: to become a professional soccer player.

At age sixteen, that dream collapsed when he suffered a vertebral fissure that forced him to abandon soccer. Around the same time, Marcos began participating in Good News In Action mission trips. God used those experiences to stir his heart, but Marcos resisted the call. Even as he continued chasing soccer, ministry and evangelism began capturing his attention.

Two years later, during a mission trip to Managua, Nicaragua, Marcos unmistakably heard God’s call. He shared this with his pastors, Steve Kern and Julio Contreras, who encouraged him to begin seminary studies. They also entrusted him with a new evangelistic initiative—using soccer as a tool to reach young men for Christ. It was then Marcos realized that God’s plan for him was far more fulfilling than the dream he had once pursued.

Since 2013, Marcos has served on staff at Vida Nueva. He currently serves as Youth Pastor for all campuses and Associate Campus Pastor for La Mascota 316. Marcos married his childhood sweetheart, Natalia, in January 2020. His desire is to spend his life in ministry, making Jesus Christ known and reaching the next generation with the Gospel.