The Work of the Lord in El Salvador. A Special Edition (Spring 2025)
- TS Ashley Milne
- Jan 11
- 18 min read
The missionaries and families currently living and serving the Lord in El Salvador are: Hazel Brownlie (commended from assemblies in New Zealand). Helen Griffin (who has recently returned to Canada) Craig Saword (and his two sons, Jeff & Dan and their wives). Kevin and Patty Flett, and (their son Alan and his wife.) and Diana Clark. Her husband Alan and Jack Saword passed away in Sept. 2024. How The Work of the Lord began in El Salvador
In 1968, Doug and Kay Reid were looking for a new place to serve the Lord. Having been in Cuba and forced to leave due to political difficulties, the Lord laid on their hearts the need in a small country between Guatemala and Honduras, El Salvador. Knowing little of El Salvador, Doug thought it best to travel to “scout out the land.” Not wanting to go alone, he asked Jack Saword if he would be interested in accompanying him on this journey. Jack knew Spanish from being raised in Venezuela. At this time, Jack had no interest in moving to El Salvador as a missionary. However in 1968, Doug Reid and Jack Saword drove a pickup with a camper to El Salvador.
Upon arriving in El Salvador, they knew no one. They spent the next three months having open-air meetings and doing as much door-to-door visitation as possible. In those three months, the Lord of the Harvest laid on Jack the great need that was in El Salvador. So, after returning to Canada and the States, they decided to start the necessary paperwork to move their families to El Salvador. Jack and Ellen’s visas and paperwork came through, and they had the green light to move to El Salvador. The Reid’s visas, however, were taking longer. Jack and Ellen decided to go ahead, confident that Doug and Kay would not be far behind. Doug and Kay never got their visas to El Salvador; instead, they moved to Costa Rica.
When the Sawords arrived in El Salvador in 1969, war had broken out between Honduras and El Salvador. Because of the war, all Salvadorans living in Honduras had to leave and return to their native land of El Salvador. However, while living in Honduras, there were those who had heard the gospel, got saved, and were taught the truth of gathering in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Assembly testimony was started in the late 1800 ́s in Honduras. Honduran brethren contacted Jack regarding those who had moved to El Salvador and desired Christian fellowship. Jack and Craig Saword have several amazing stories of how they found
some of these Christians living as refugees scattered throughout El Salvador.
It was only a short time before at least three assemblies were established in different parts of the country; one in the East, one in the West, and one in the center. Over the next five years, several missionary families and a few single ladies moved to El Salvador from New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Some moved to the east of the country, others went west, and some stayed in the center. The gospel was getting into areas that not even the Catholic priest would go. Jack, and others tell how they would go on horseback to some of these places.
In 1979, political instability began to shake the country, and by 1980, El Salvador entered into a twelve-year civil war. Starting in 1979, the missionaries began leaving El Salvador, and a few years later, the only assembly missionaries still in El Salvador were Jack and Ellen and Miss Hazel Brownlie. During the 80s, the assemblies that had been planted continued to move forward, but it was not an easy time. As the civil war intensified, several were forced to move into the bigger cities, and many migrated to the United States and Canada, leaving huge vacancies in some of these new works. Because of the war, all the major bridges had been destroyed, and trying to travel about the country was not safe. To deal with this issue, Craig Saword got his pilot’s license, and a plane was purchased to travel from one end of the country to another. He would fly his dad out east, and Jack would try to visit as many assemblies as possible before Craig returned to get him in a week or so.
A peace treaty was signed in 1992, but a few years prior, different missionaries once again started moving to El Salvador. The assemblies were once again visited regularly, and the gospel was brought to new areas. As of today, there are twenty-one New Testament Assemblies in El Salvador, the last one established in January of this year.
The assembly of San Miguel, in the East, has commended Antonio and Edith Ochoa, and Raúl Aguirre. Los Jiotes assembly have commended Carlos and Erlinda.
50 Years of Preaching the Gospel in El Salvador
Craig Saword
Having arrived in the year of Jubilee, a great mile marker, there is much gratitude to the Lord for His faithfulness, His goodness, and all His mercies shown to this country that bears His name, El Salvador (The Saviour). I would like to give a summarized report to encompass this milestone so that it will cause you, in turn, to think of the One who is building His church, working in the world, and calling all men unto Himself.
My father and mother, Jack and Ellen Saword, commended by the assembly in Arlington, Washington, drove down with Dawn and I in an International Travelall, arriving in San Salvador on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1969. We expressed our thanksgiving to the Lord for protecting us over the 4,000 miles we had traveled. When we arrived, we could only find accommodation in the hostel garage, as all the hotel rooms had been taken!
After arriving in the country, we discovered that there had been a 100-hour war on the
14th of July over a soccer game between Honduras and El Salvador. The result of the conflict was the expulsion of 300,000 Salvadorian refugees from Honduras, who had previously migrated looking for better job opportunities in the banana plantations. These refugees returned on foot with the bare essentials, leaving behind their earthly possessions. The borders remained closed for 11 years until a peace treaty was signed with Honduras in 1980.
Among the refugees were many Christians who had heard the Gospel in northern coastal assemblies of Honduras, received the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, been baptized, and received fellowship from one of the various assemblies, where the work had been ongoing since 1910. These Christians were forced to flee Honduras and settled across the country of El Salvador. It was much like the first church established in Jerusalem, but because of opposition, they were scattered abroad throughout Judaea and Samaria preaching the Gospel. Because of this influx of believers, the work in El Salvador prospered in its infancy. The first assembly was established in San Salvador on April 12, 1970, with 18 believers in fellowship, and within the first five years, six more assemblies were established.
There are now 21 assemblies, with the last one being formed on the 28th of October 2018 in Guatajiagua, also with 18 believers in fellowship.
Over these 50 years, we have had other missionaries who were commended for their work: Doug and Janet King, Al and Dolores Flett, Tom and Nelly Baker, George and Margret Trew, Florence Ronald, Craig Funston, Trudy Odem, Minerva Rincon, Emily McCandless, and Shawn and Heidi St Clair. We appreciate each who came and shared their spiritual gifts, dedicated their time, and invested their resources in this work.
Presently, we have four national workers: Raul Aguirre and Antonio & Edith Ochoa from San Miguel, and two more families who were commended in 2018: Israel & Elizabeth Castro from Scandia and Mario Cañas from Amatal (his wife passed away in January 2015). Of our missionaries today, we have: Lilian Saword, and Diana Clark, Kevin and Patty Flett, along with Hazel Brownlie, Helen Griffin, and myself.
Some of our co-workers have finished their earthly course during these years of service, and we appreciate their years of dedication and service in this country. We know the Lord will reward each according to their labor: Gladys Nafzger, Ben and Helen Goatley, Vern and Elda Markle, Ellen Saword my mother and Corina Saword my wife, and this year my father and Allan Clark.
On the 18th and 19th of April 2019, we celebrated our fiftieth anniversary, the beginning of our work in El Salvador. By bringing everyone together at one central conference in San Salvador, over 1,000 believers were present from the 21 assemblies spread across the country. We felt the ministry was very appropriate and very uplifting for the Lord’s people. Our hearts were overjoyed as we gathered with the many believers whose hearts have been reached for the Master with this precious Gospel message.
The work continued in 2020. In the first two weeks of January, we had our Seed-sower distribution in Pasaquina. It is close to the Honduran border, and it was our first time preaching the gospel there. Many came to the nightly meetings with a genuine desire to hear the message of Salvation. Can I pause for a moment and say that many in our world are still waiting to hear the good news of Salvation, and the Master is calling for YOU to work for His Harvest?
We are thankful for the numerous IBH Spanish calendars, printed scripture texts, and Via magazines that we were able to distribute in many homes and workplaces over the years. We prayed that even when many found themselves in quarantine, because of COVID-19, God’s word would speak to them, and that the message of salvation would become clear.
We still have a lot of work ahead, with four of the fourteen departments still untouched by assembly work. Corina and I prayed many times that if the Lord tarried, we desired to see at least one assembly outreach in each department. Even though my wife was called home, we continue to strive to see the gospel preached in new towns and villages across this land.
We’ve enjoyed our Saviour’s outstanding examples of personal witnessing while reading John’s gospel. For the past fifty years, Don Chepe has been the local gardener of our house and other homes in our area. He also cared for homes during the war, and even though unsaved, he was very honest and well-spoken. He had received countless tracts and many bible-oriented conversations over the years. Now in his mid-80s, he called from the old folks’ home on the 18th of November and said, bro. Craig, “Guess what?” “I GOT SAVED!” I told him praise the Lord! He said he knew his time was getting short and needed a Saviour! We rejoice to see the new life in him! In some cases, the Lord allows us to see the fruits of our labors, and the rest, Eternity will unfold.
Even in these uncertain days in which we live, we can find true comfort in our Lord, who knows the end from the beginning. The work continues, and we know that HE who has started the work will see it completed.
Faithful is He Who Calls You. 1 Thess 5:24
Hazel Brownlie
Before I was born, my parents prayed that I would someday serve the Lord. During my third year of teaching in New Zealand, I felt that the Lord was calling me, but it could not possibly be me. Perhaps it would be my spiritual friends, not me. I was wrong. Finally I said, “ Yes, Lord I will go,” but I still did not know where. A year later, I received a letter from El Salvador addressed to me. I knelt and thanked the Lord for finally showing me where I was to go. Then I realized I had not opened the letter! Sure enough Helen Goatley wrote to ask me to come to El Salvador to teach in a small school that catered to missionary children. The next step was to look at the map and find out where El Salvador was!
At my send-off from the assembly I attended, I was given the verse, “Faithful is He who calls you.” Through the years, I have proven this verse over and over again. I left New Zealand in 1974 at the age of 24. I was so sure that this was where the Lord had called me to go that I said I would stay until I was equally sure that I was meant to leave. Fifty years later, I am still here.
For the first five years, I taught at an interdenominational school where the children of our missionary families, as well as others from other missions, attended. I was asked to be the principal for my last two years there. In our last year at the school, Craig Funston taught with me.
In 1979, the Civil War broke out. The missionaries of the various missions left the country, so our group of missionaries was asked if we would be interested in continuing with the school. They were uncertain days, but the Lord assured me this was His will. In September of that year, the San Salvador Christian Academy opened. Trudy Odom worked with me for two years. She lived with the Saword family, and I lived in the school just a block away. In the beginning, we had four children of our missionaries and some other children from other missions who came into the country. They were challenging days. Decisions had to be made quickly because of the dangers around us. Later, we received children from business families and different embassies. I gave a Bible lesson each morning, which was used by the Lord to reach out to those who came from non-Christian families. During those years, some of our missionary families left to receive higher education for their children.
Meanwhile, I was permitted to visit the public hospital in the city to give out tracts and visit with the patients. Many faces and stories still bring joy. For instance, we gave one lady a Bible, but she was afraid it would be stolen, so she sent it home with her 12-year-old daughter, who was her only visitor each Sunday. Her daughter wrote out a chapter for her each week, and she kept it under her pillow! God’s Word touched her heart, and she came to know Christ as her Saviour.
Additionally, the Lord opened the door for us to visit in the prison ward of the same hospital. Some of the prisoners were terrorists. The head of the terrorist group had never seen a Bible. It was amazing how he devoured the Word, but we do not know if he ever was saved. Two young men went with me at this time. One was from the assembly, and one was a student from the school who had been saved. His parents were with the American Embassy. He was only allowed to travel in an armoured car or my small VW. Although the hospital was off-limits for him, his parents were happy for him to accompany me.
During the 33 years that we had the school, the number of students increased, as did the number of teachers. Helen Griffin worked with us before she started the orphanage. Emily McCandless was with us for several years, and Brenda Flett (Groothuis) was with us for one year. The day came when the Lord made it clear to me that it was time to close the school and spend all my time in the village where we had Bible and school classes. The village is called Ateos, which in English means atheist! We began in a small house; then, we moved to a property beside the cemetery. We had Sunday School classes there with a large group of children, and a gospel meeting followed.
When we started to work in that area, only one little girl went to kindergarten, and her mother was the only one who could read. As a teacher, this touched my heart!
Not long before, all were enrolled in kindergarten and had school uniforms and supplies. Classes were started during the week to help them with their studies. My interest in their schooling has continued over the years. Now, all the children in the community where we still work attend school. We even have some who have graduated from university. Before Covid, we had school classes one day a week to help at all levels. This was much appreciated by the parents who could not help their children. We also had a Bible lesson to begin each session.
The community where we have worked for almost 20 years was gang-controlled. I had permission to enter but also a set time to leave. Helping with schoolwork and including school supplies in our gifts at the classes have been used by the Lord to touch the hearts of the parents. Sadly, some of those who were in the classes made wrong choices. Some have been killed, and others are imprisoned. We know that all heard the gospel. I also had a group of ladies from the community in the Community Hall.
Likewise, we had school classes, lunch, and a Bible class in the assembly of El Carmen in the West for some time. I had a wonderful group of friends who went out with me once a week. When we began, only seven of the 30 who attended the first day went to school. We desired to see them all enrolled the following year. It was also good for the parents to learn the importance of having their children attend school.
Furthermore, I have been involved in the city assembly of Scandia. It was good to help the teachers understand different teaching methods and have the class of the older children. Other activities included outings, a youth group in my house, and Bible studies with the teachers. Visits and outings with the older folk were enjoyed. The classes that are part of the assembly outreach work are grateful to receive financial help.
Over the years, I have enjoyed helping many with medical needs. I have a group of private doctors who have assisted me in this area. Most of the patients are from various assemblies in the country. A few have been helped as a way of sharing Christ with them. Seeing others continuing with this same interest is a joy to me.
Another area in which we have been able to help is during the many natural disasters. Along with different teams, we have been able to help with food, supplies for construction, health needs, and financial support, which are always needed. The Lord uses these efforts to touch the hearts of those helping, not just those receiving the help.
During the past couple of years, my visits out of the city have been more limited, but
it is always enjoyable visiting those who have received help with daily needs, construction, and medical needs. Visiting the schools where the children from the Bible classes attend and where I have helped in different ways brings much joy. Also, during this time, I helped different people with projects to become financially independent.
The success of these is in raising chickens and selling used clothes. I am thankful for telephones to keep in touch with many in the different areas of the country, encourage them, and be the one to listen. I am thankful for those who have shared with me in different ways, those out of the country and those in El Salvador. As He promised, the Lord has been faithful as I have served Him for 50 years.
Served in El Salvador 33 years since 1991
Helen M. Griffin
The Lord had laid it on my heart to work with children, and I went down to El Salvador for three months at Jack Saword’s suggestion to see if I could “handle it” and also to see what legal papers would be needed to start a Children’s Home. The civil war was still raging during the three months that I was there, and this produced many homeless children, and others so poor that they didn’t have food or much clothing. There was much suffering from abandonment, sickness, physical, emotional, mental abuse, sexual abuse of both girls and boys, alcohol and drug abuse, and family violence.
The civil war started in October 1979 and continued until January 1992.
After much soul searching, I returned to El Salvador in September of 1991, and over time, I learned Spanish and eventually set up a Children’s Home legally with the Protection of Minors. There was a lot of paperwork! In 1993, I was told I could take in children, and they would eventually send the legal papers. I received them in 1996. The Lord sent me older children and teenagers first, and they helped me to learn the language further. Then, younger children were sent to me little by little. With the Lord’s help, I was able to educate them all by sending them to private schools, predominantly Christian ones.
Over the 33 years that I was in the country, there were a total of about 60 children that went through the Home. Some for days, weeks, months, or years! I was exposed to the deaf community by having two deaf children, so learning sign language was also necessary. I adopted ten children when they were over 18, as we had lived together for many years. They could not go back to their biological family members because of the gangs in all the areas of El Salvador. These 10 have all professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we know that all of the children that went through the Home have heard the gospel, and we trust that we will even see more of them again in Heaven.
Bro. Vernon Markle, who had laboured in Cuba with his wife, Ilda, and then came to El Salvador in their latter years, gave me good advice. He said, “Keep your soul sweet and be flexible!” We attended the Izalco Assembly for several years, and while there, God enabled us to construct classrooms, bathrooms, and showers for Sunday School and all-day meetings. Also, I taught a class of children in Llano Verde at Elmer and Domingo’s house for several years, but it was stopped due to gang activity in that area.
The gangs have mainly all been put into prisons over the last 2 years or so, and the country of El Salvador has gone from being the most dangerous place to live to the safest country in the world, according to the President.
My rock during these years was a verse that God gave me in 1989 when I went to El Salvador for 3 months, hearing the bombs exploding at night: “Do all that is in thine heart, for God is with you. I Chronicles 17:2
I have been living in New Brunswick since September 4, 2024.
National Workers Serving in El Salvador
Some of the Gospel Halls in El Salvador
Serving the Lord inEl Salvador since July 1998
Kevin and Patty Flett
Patty and I have been in El Salvador for 26 years. We have had the privilege of raising our three sons on the mission field while we serve the best of masters. Over the years, the verse that the Lord used to encourage us to leave Marysville, Washington, and make the move to El Salvador, has been an ever-comforting phrase; “I will be with you”.
Looking back, we now see that God had been working in the shadows years prior to our commendation. Jack Saword visited our home assembly in Marysville WA in the summer of 1996 and was giving a report on the work of the Lord in El Salvador and giving out the “Macedonian call”. Two things that struck me was, the soon return of our Lord, and the fact that I knew Spanish and could be an immediate help in spreading the gospel in El Salvador. As Patty and I sat there listening about the different needs, the Lord was working in us in different ways, but to the same end goal... go to El Salvador!
At that time missionary work was the farthest thing from my mind. I knew there was a need, and that God would send someone to do the work, but that someone was not me. We are thankful for people like Jack that not only had a great love for the lost souls of El Salvador but was able to encourage others to step out of their comfort zone and be used of God. We are thankful for the several visits and the long talks Patty and I would enjoy as we traveled with Jack to visit different assemblies in the Washington area. Some of the verses and phrases that struck home during those visits were; “God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called”. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. (Ecclesiastes 9:10), Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5.)
Patty and I moved to El Salvador in July of 1998 and worked closely with Jack and Ellen for the first year or so. We are thankful for the years we had to work with him and the many ways he encouraged us. Living on the mission field, away from family, can be difficult at times. Jack and Ellen were soon Uncle and Aunt to our boys and filled the roll of grandparents. Jack was not only a fellow worker but a faithful friend to the end. Patty and I were both by his side, with his wife, Lilian, and other family members when he took his last breath here on earth and opened his eyes to see the face of the one he loved and served for over 60 years.
Patty and I have been working in Santa Tecla, the last assembly Jack saw established before moving to Arkansas due to Ellen's declining health, for the past several years. We recently closed out the Sunday school for the year with a special program and gospel message given by Jeffrey Saword. There were just under one hundred in attendance between children and their parents. Pray for salvation.
On Thursday nights we have been encouraged by an ever-growing group of teenagers who attend our weekly meeting. Most of these kids come from broken homes, with at least one family member in prison due to gang/extortion ties.
They have very little Bible knowledge and only a few of them profess to be saved. We started the year studying the Old Testament, noting main events and characters and always finding a way to point the listener to Christ. We have recently begun looking at the life of Jesus in the New Testament with the hope that these young lives will come to know the one who died for them.
Pray for Seed Sowers 2025
Our Seed Sowers this year are, Lord willing, just north of San Salvador in Apopa from the 3rd to the 14th of January. For any who would like to join us, please arrive before the starting date! My e-mail is craigsaword@gmail.com
We are looking for men or women in assembly fellowship who would receive a good recommendation from the elders of the assembly where they gather!
Editorial Note:
During our recent Short Visit to El Salvador, Oct. 2024
