FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Rev. Esdras Paredes continues to lead his Wisconsin congregation from more than 2,000 miles away after traveling to Guatemala and learning he could not return to the United States.
Paredes and his wife, Rev. Wanda Paredes, lead Ven y Descansarás, a Pentecostal congregation in Fond du Lac affiliated with the Church of God denomination.
In the summer of 2025, Paredes traveled to Guatemala to visit his critically ill mother and, following legal advice, apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy.
According to Religion News Service, he was subsequently informed that he was ineligible to apply to return to the United States until 2035 because of an immigration matter dating back decades.
RNS reviewed Paredes' immigration records and reported that some details in the historical documents differ from his recollection of what happened. Paredes said he had not been aware of a deportation order against him.
Despite remaining in Guatemala, Paredes has continued pastoring Ven y Descansarás remotely. He preaches and teaches through video calls as often as three times a week, leads Bible studies and remains connected with members through WhatsApp.
His wife and other church leaders have assumed additional responsibilities in Wisconsin while the congregation continues holding worship services and baptisms.
Church members have also organized food fundraisers to help support Paredes and cover church expenses. During one fundraiser, more than a dozen members worked late into the night preparing hundreds of tamales to sell.
The congregation can draw as many as 150 people, according to RNS, and members continue praying that their pastor will eventually be able to return.
The separation has also affected baptisms. During an August service, Paredes participated remotely from Guatemala while his son helped baptize six members of the congregation in Wisconsin.
Paredes' situation is part of a broader story involving immigrant pastors and their congregations. Religion News Service identified at least 25 publicly reported cases of immigrant pastors who have been detained, deported or otherwise separated from their churches during President Donald Trump's second term.
For Ven y Descansarás, ministry has continued despite the distance, with Paredes' family, church leaders and congregation taking on additional responsibilities while maintaining their connection with their pastor in Guatemala.
Reference:
religionnews/2026/09/29/his-congregation-is-wisconsin-hes-stranded-in-guatemala/
