Formerly Incarcerated Youth Serve Their Local Churches: Oscar Erazo

In El Salvador and Honduras, formerly incarcerated youth are actively involved in their local churches. Returning to the neighborhoods where they once caused trouble, these young leaders are now guiding others toward Christ and fostering a new generation of servant leaders.

Young men and women are taking on diverse roles within their churches, such as Sunday school teachers, high school youth group leaders, and praise and worship leaders. Through their leadership, these young people are making a significant difference. 

Across Honduras and El Salvador, 24 released youth are currently taking active leadership roles in their local churches. Oscar is one example of youth impacting congregations in their communities:

Oscar Erazo

Oscar Erazo grew up in a challenging and abusive environment in Ahuachapán, El Salvador. His stepfather often beat him with the flat of a machete when Oscar failed to meet his stepfather’s expectations on the farm. 

When he was a preteen, Oscar’s mother separated from his stepfather. At that point, his anger and bitterness turned to hurting others in the community. He joined a street gang, which eventually led to his incarceration.

While in the juvenile detention center, Oscar met the teachers from Counteract International. He began to receive the support and guidance he had longed for throughout his troubled youth. In the Success Academy, he learned about Christ which sparked a profound transformation in his life.

“The class on ‘Knowing Christ’ especially impacted me,” Oscar says. “It helped build my faith and made me want to know more about God.” 

Now, at 26, Oscar is married, studying theology at El Sembrador Theological Institute, and preaching frequently at church. His wife teaches cosmetology classes as a ministry to youth in the community. 

“Thanks to God, I’m a different person than when I first went to the detention center,” he says. “Today, my greatest desire is to inspire faith in others like it was done for me.”