Who we are.
Cristo Vida is a Christian Mission organization that was created to partner with local Costa Rican churches to help meet the physical needs of the community with the ultimate goal of reaching locals for the Gospel of Christ.
Even though we are a relatively new mission organization, we have witnessed many divine appointments and opened doors showing the fingerprint of God in what we are doing.
We believe in dreaming big and watching God move in and through us!
Cristo Vida invites you to partner with us.
Life in Guanacaste
Poverty
Guanacaste is the second poorest province of Costa Rica.
Poverty reaches 22% of all households;
6% of them are extremely poor.
One out of every three children, between zero and six years old, lives in a poor household.
Education
In 2009, the percentage of the population that finished primary education was only 46%.
Children receive only 4 hours of lessons per day in public primary schools.
41.2% of children under 7 years old reside in households whose members have a low education level.
Family
Fathers mostly do not support the kids responsibly, or have very low-income jobs.
Some children have been neglected emotionally, socially or suffered malnutrition in childhood.
Women
Women have often been victims of violence in their lives, as well as their children.
Too many girls have been abused or are touched inappropriately and 25% of teenage girls are pregnant.
Women are mostly single mothers with several children.
Meet the team
Executive Board
Shawn Glendening
President
Shawn Glendening is the president of Cristo Vida. He has a Masters in Tropical Medicine and is a CRNA. Shawn has a passion for overseas missions work having served numerous countries with medical and humanitarian relief. He has served as both a youth and missions pastor and is devoted to Cristo Vida’s mission of reaching the hurting of Guanacaste with the love of Christ.
Marty Doody
Vice President
Marty Doody serves as the vice president of Cristo Vida. He is a lifelong resident of South Louisiana and has been a member of Journey Fellowship Church in Slidell for over 25 years. He has been married to Celina Doody for 30 years. He has been blessed with 4 children, 1 daughter-in-law, and 1 granddaughter. Marty has extensive experience having led multiple missions teams in the Amazon region of Brazil and has also served on missions teams to Mexico and Roatan. Marty is believing for a great move of Christ in Costa Rica.
Victoria Glendening
Secretary/Treasurer
Victoria Glendening is the Secretary and Treasurer of Cristo Vida. Shawn and Victoria are married and have six beautiful children. Victoria is an Ultrasound Technologist, and she is on the advisory board for Delgado Community College’s sonography program. She is passionate about children and families and their wellbeing. Victoria brings that unconditional love and compassion to Cristo Vida.
Doug McAllister
At Large
Doug McAllister is the founder and lead pastor of Journey Fellowship Church in Slidell Louisiana since 1996. jf.church. He has helped plant 27 churches around the world, has authored two books and is ordained with the Assemblies of God. He served as a Missions Pastor before planting Journey and has traveled to many nations leading teams on short term trips, serving missionaries, and preaching the gospel.
Doug has been married to Rachel since 1981 and they have 5 adult children and 11 grandchildren.
Kenny Alonzo
At Large
President & Executive Director, Rocketown, Nashville, TN, USA
Kenny serves as the President and Executive Director of Rocketown, a youth ministry founded by Michael W. Smith. With over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and more than 25 years as a nonprofit executive, he is dedicated to empowering and equipping the next generation through faith-driven leadership and service.
Throughout his 30 years of marriage, he and his wife, Rebecca, have faithfully served in ministry, holding various leadership roles and working to further the mission of inspiring and impacting young lives with the transforming power of Jesus. They are proud parents of two children—Kolby, a missionary with Circuit Riders, and Katelin, a talented Interior Designer. Passionate about nonprofit leadership, faith-based initiatives, and community engagement, Kenny leads with vision, integrity, and a heart for the next generation.
Paul Mason
At Large
Married to his wife, Brooke for 23 years, they have 3 incredible kids, Joel, Jenna and Liam. Born in Metairie, La outside of New Orleans, Paul attended the University of New Orleans and graduated from International Bible College in San Antonio, Texas. He has served in full-time pastoral ministry for 26 years in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas! He and his wife, Brooke, co-pastor Living Waters Church in Seguin, Tx. Paul and Brooke's passion is for people to discover their purpose in Christ. They have a big heart for the local church and leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. He does this by teaching people the importance of GATHERING together as a body of believers, GROWING in the likeness of Christ and in God’s Word and GOING and making a difference in his city and around the world.
Cristo Vida Hands & Feet Leadership Team
Shawn & Victoria Glendening
Dr. Stephen & Tiffany Cambre
Marty & Celina Doody
Ashley & Alicia Quirk
Sal & Sharon Judice
Marcio & Munique Cordeiro