Get to Know the Astorga Araya Family

Ministry Description

Together with my wife, we currently serve by leading the Word of Life camps (winter and summer). In addition, we are involved in two Bible clubs and youth meetings, where we carry out discipleship, counseling, and leadership training within youth ministry.

We also serve in our local church: I teach men, and my wife serves in the women’s and children’s ministries. We also support premarital counseling, young married couples, youth, and young women.

It is a privilege for us to serve the Lord full-time with Word of Life Chile. We pray that He will continue to use us both in this ministry and in our local church, and that many young people will be impacted and reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Learn more about the ministry in Chile.

About Nacho

I am Ignacio Astorga, Chilean, the youngest of seven siblings. I was born into a Christian home, but my story with God did not begin merely by inheritance… it had to become personal.

At six years old, I understood my condition and received Christ as my Savior. I grew up in church, serving and participating, but at 17 my relationship with God grew cold. I was close… but not connected.

For that reason, one of my older brothers, José Luis, invited me to his home. He and his family were serving as missionaries with Word of Life Chile. I spent a week with them, and during that summer the Lord began to work deeply in my heart. Through His Word and through counsel, He broke my life.

One night around a campfire, I consecrated my life to the Lord and decided to live a genuine faith. The following week, I called to ask if I could be part of the staff. From that moment on, I served the Lord at the camps for several consecutive summers.

Since then, I have served for several years in camps, witnessing transformed lives and understanding that when God touches your life, it is not for you to remain the same… it is for you to live with purpose.

Today I can say: it is not enough to have been born into a Christian home… you need a real encounter with Jesus.

About Andrea

My name is Carmen Andrea Sotelo, and I am Chilean. At the age of 8, in a children’s program called “La Horita Feliz” (The Happy Hour), I understood that I was a sinner and that Jesus had died and risen again for me. On October 19, 1990, I received Christ as my Savior.

From that moment on, I began to grow in my faith—attending every Saturday, learning God’s Word, and developing a deep passion for missions. At 15, I attended a camp with Word of Life Chile, where I dedicated my life to the Lord and embraced the calling to share the gospel.

The following summer, I served as part of the staff, and one night around a campfire, I surrendered my future completely to God, with a sincere desire to serve Him full-time. I continued serving in camps for several years.

Today, we have the joy of being parents to Gaspar. After a long adoption process, we finally met our son, who is now 3 years old—a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness and perfect timing.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 2 Corinthians 12:15

Contact Information

IgnacioAstorga@wol.org

Address:
Nacho Astorga Araya
Word of Life Chile
PO Box 600
Schroon Lake, NY 12870