Rene & Anja Gaona

We serve as career missionaries with Action International Ministries, currently based in Asunción, Paraguay, with our son Santiago (8), our daughter Sofía (4), and Olivia (1½).

Our mission centers on evangelizing and mentoring teens, protecting vulnerable children and families, and advocating for foster care and adoption so every child can grow up in a loving home. Ultimately, our desire is for every person to experience the true love of the Father.

Our core strategy is to serve as a bridge to local ministries in Paraguay, strengthening their reach and long-term impact through more than 20 years of ministry experience in Paraguay and the region.

René carries a strong calling to reach teens, their families, and communities through holistic development and discipleship. He has worked with national organizations such as Youth Impact, Jesús Responde al Mundo de Hoy (Jesus Responds to Today's World), and DISCOVER, partnering with churches across the country to advance evangelism and discipleship in creative and effective ways. The relationships built over the past 20+ years continue to open doors for expanding this ministry.

From an early age, Anja has carried a deep passion for God’s heart to see vulnerable children protected in loving families. She trained internationally with YWAM and is a lawyer registered in Paraguay, specializing in children’s rights and family-based care. Her experience includes leadership with Viva Network Paraguay, service within government offices for adoption and alternative care, international work in the human rights system (IACHR), and consulting with children’s homes.

Together with others, in 2016 we co-founded and continue to co-lead Paraguay Protects Families (PPF), now a registered charity in Paraguay mobilizing a national movement so vulnerable children can grow up in safe and loving families through the engagement of the Church. We also serve actively in local churches to strengthen community-based ministry for teens and families. René leads youth ministry with local churches, networking to reach more youth in schools and communities, while also mobilizing churches within the vision of caring for the vulnerable. Anja serves as a Global Advisor for Child Protection and Welfare with the Family-First Framework — a global initiative of A Family For Every Orphan (AFFEO) supporting family-based care reform across multiple countries. Her work helps bridge the gap between law, policy, and practical implementation for the wellbeing of children.

Our full-time service is made possible through the faithful support of churches and individuals in Canada and the U.S. who give monthly through Action to sustain our ministry and living expenses.

We live and serve as a family — and we need you. Your prayers, encouragement, connections, and financial partnership make this life of faith and service possible.

Walk with us: get to know our story, partner with us, connect us with others who may be interested, and allow God to use our journey to inspire others.