Meet Diego

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 taking active leadership roles in their local churches. Here is one such story of a youth impacting his congregation in his community:

Diego Morán has overcome significant challenges to become a leader in his church and community in El Salvador. Born into a single-parent family, Diego struggled during his teen years without the guidance of a father figure. He hung around the wrong crowd, leading to his arrest and a five-year prison sentence.

During his time in incarceration, Diego’s life began to change. Through Counteract’s Success Academy, he began to discover God’s love and purpose for his life. Just four months after joining the Academy, Diego started preaching in the detention center.

After his release, Diego began serving in a local church where he preaches parttime and teaches entrepreneurship to women in the church who aspire to start a business. He also intends to start a ministry for individuals released from prison, helping them avoid returning to crime.

At the same time, the 23-year-old is attending college and preparing to graduate with a degree in Business Administration. He has a passion for both business and ministry, and wants to use them to uplift others around him.

“Without God and without the help from Counteract, all this would not be possible,” Diego says. “My goals now are to start a business, serve in my church, and make a difference in my community.”