In an age when the gospel message often gets watered down to fit cultural expectations, some voices stand out with uncompromising clarity. Paul Washer is one of those voices—a man whose journey from law student to missionary has shaped countless lives across Latin America and beyond. His story reminds us that true faith isn’t comfortable, convenient, or culturally popular. It’s transformative, challenging, and eternally significant.
From Ambition to Calling: A Life Transformed
Born in 1961, Paul Washer’s early years pointed toward success in the legal world. While studying to become an oil and gas lawyer at the University of Texas at Austin, something unexpected happened—he encountered Jesus Christ. This wasn’t a casual decision or a cultural Christianity he inherited from his family. It was a radical conversion that completely redirected his life’s trajectory. After completing his undergraduate studies, Washer enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning his Master of Divinity degree. The comfortable career path he’d planned evaporated as God called him to something far more demanding: missionary work in Peru.
Into the Jungle: Ten Years That Changed Everything
In 1988, fresh from seminary, Washer arrived in Peru to begin what would become a decade of intense, sacrificial ministry. He didn’t settle into an easy urban assignment. Instead, he worked in Lima’s poorest neighborhoods and traveled extensively through the northern sierra and remote jungle regions. There, he witnessed profound poverty, political instability from the Shining Path insurgency, and spiritual hunger that moved him deeply. Washer conducted open-air evangelism in public parks, ministered to street children (eventually feeding nearly 100 kids regularly), and taught rural pastors who had little formal training but enormous faith. He saw indigenous church planters advancing the gospel despite severe economic hardship, and their dedication convicted him.
Building a Movement: HeartCry Missionary Society
During those challenging years in Peru, Washer founded HeartCry Missionary Society in 1988 with a revolutionary vision: support indigenous missionaries who were already laboring faithfully in their own cultures. Rather than simply sending Western missionaries with large budgets, HeartCry would come alongside local church planters who understood their people’s language, culture, and needs. Inspired by George Müller’s faith-based approach, Washer determined that HeartCry would never manipulate donors or aggressively fundraise. Instead, they would pray, work faithfully, and trust God to provide. What began supporting Peruvian church planters has grown into a global network—as of 2025, HeartCry supports over 360 indigenous missionaries across 74 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
A Legacy of Transformed Communities
Paul Washer’s impact extends far beyond statistics. Churches were planted in Peru’s most challenging areas. Street children heard the gospel and found hope. Rural pastors received biblical training that equipped them to shepherd their flocks faithfully. Indigenous missionaries gained partners who respected their calling and helped shoulder their financial burdens. Through HeartCry, countless communities have been transformed as local believers, empowered and supported, brought the message of Jesus Christ to their neighbors.
Únete a la Misión Hoy
Stories like Paul Washer’s remind us that missionary work requires sacrifice, faith, and partnership. While not everyone is called to the jungles of Peru, we can all participate in the Great Commission. Visit GlobalOne80.org defendemos las contribuciones de las mujeres en las misiones, asegurando que tengan el apoyo necesario para prosperar en su llamado. today to learn about missionaries serving around the world and discover how your donation can support their vital work. Your generosity helps equip, encourage, and sustain those bringing hope to the hardest places. Together, we can help transform communities for Christ—one missionary, one church, one life at a time.
