Help Puerto Rico Stay. Build. Thrive.
A New Kind of Mission Partnership
Mano Extendida PR is about economic development, but it is also about Holistic Missions.
We believe the Church was never meant to remain within four walls. God has uniquely equipped His people with gifts, experience, professions, businesses, relationships, and resources to strengthen communities and point people toward Christ.
Our vision is to mobilize churches and Christian professionals to come alongside individuals and families in Puerto Rico, not simply for a short-term project, but through meaningful relationships, entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and long-term investment.
This is mission work that builds people, businesses, families, and communities.
Jeremiah 29:7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Why Puerto Rico? Why Now?
The Need Is Spiritual and Economic
Puerto Rico is home to approximately 3.2 million people.
Mission researchers estimate that only about 25%–33% identify as evangelical Christians.
That means roughly:
2 out of every 3 people do not identify as evangelical.
More than 2 million people represent an opportunity for gospel relationships, discipleship, and connection to healthy local churches.
At the same time:
More than 37% of Puerto Rico lives below the poverty line.
Families are struggling to build sustainable futures.
Young adults and working families continue leaving the island in search of opportunity.
Communities are losing future business owners, professionals, workers, church leaders, and the next generation.
Puerto Rico does not face just one challenge.
It faces a spiritual, economic, and generational challenge.
And we believe the Church has an opportunity to respond to all three.
What If Economic Opportunity Became a Bridge for the Gospel?
A person may first connect with Mano Extendida PR because they want to start a business, grow their income, develop new skills, or build a better future for their family.
But through entrepreneurship training, mentoring, long-term relationships, and partnerships with local churches, something much greater can happen.
Relationships can become pathways to Christ.
We are not replacing the local church.
We are creating opportunities for churches to engage people beyond their walls, build trust, share the gospel, make disciples, walk with families, and strengthen communities.
**Entrepreneurship is the bridge.
Jesus is the hope.**
Imagine What Your Church Could Do
3.2 MILLION
People in Puerto Rico
2+ MILLION
Do not identify as evangelical
37%+
Live below the poverty line
One island. Spiritual need. Economic hardship. A generation searching for opportunity.
Together, the Church can help change the story.
We can help create pathways for Puerto Rican families to build stronger futures while opening doors for meaningful relationships, gospel witness, discipleship, and deeper connection to the local church.
Our vision is not simply to help people make more money.
It is to see people transformed, families strengthened, businesses launched, communities renewed, churches engaged, and more people encountering the hope of Jesus Christ.
Stay. Build. Thrive.
Stay rooted in Puerto Rico.
Build businesses, careers, families, and communities.
Thrive economically, relationally, and spiritually.
And through it all, help more people discover the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Imagine What Your Church Could Do
Imagine a group of Christian entrepreneurs and business leaders traveling to Puerto Rico.
Not simply to paint a building.
Not simply to complete a construction project.
But to teach, mentor, encourage, listen, build relationships, and walk alongside emerging entrepreneurs.
A restaurant owner could mentor someone opening a food business.
A contractor could encourage someone building a construction company.
An accountant could teach basic financial management.
A marketing professional could help a new entrepreneur understand branding and customer acquisition.
A seasoned business leader could sit across the table from someone who is trying to build a future for their family—and share the lessons learned through years of success, failure, perseverance, and faith.
Business Skills Can Open Doors for Gospel Relationships
Our goal is not merely to help someone start a business.
We want to build genuine relationships.
Christian entrepreneurs and professionals can share not only what they have learned about business, but how their relationship with Christ has shaped the way they:
Lead people
Treat employees
Serve customers
Handle money
Respond to failure
Practice integrity
Make difficult decisions
Define success
Care for their families
Serve their communities
Those conversations create opportunities for something deeper.
We want people to encounter Christ through Christians who genuinely invest in their lives.
This is not about forcing a spiritual conversation.
It is about Christians living out their faith authentically while helping someone build a stronger future.
Holistic Mission in Action
We believe ministry can address both spiritual and practical needs.
Mano Extendida PR is developing entrepreneurship and workforce initiatives designed to help Puerto Rican families create sustainable opportunities on the island.
At the same time, we want local churches and Christian leaders involved in building relationships that can lead to discipleship, encouragement, community involvement, and gospel conversations.
The result is a mission strategy that combines:
Economic Opportunity + Mentorship + Relationships + Community Development + Gospel Witness
Our desire is to see stronger businesses, stronger families, stronger communities, and ultimately people drawn toward Jesus Christ.
Statement Of Faith
How Your Church Can Participate:
Send Business Mentors
Identify entrepreneurs, executives, tradespeople, professionals, and business owners within your congregation who would be willing to mentor emerging entrepreneurs in Puerto Rico.
Some mentoring could happen in person, while other relationships could continue virtually throughout the year.
Help Teach Entrepreneurship Classes (Spanish)
Professionals from your church may be able to teach practical sessions in areas such as:
Business planning, sales, marketing, budgeting, bookkeeping, customer service, leadership, human resources, technology, operations, and other areas of expertise.
Develop a Business Mission Team
Your church could build a mission team around entrepreneurship and community development. Volunteer at these businesses.
Rather than creating a one-time experience, we want churches to build ongoing relationships with communities and entrepreneurs.
Host Mano Extendida PR at Your Church
Invite us to share the vision with:
Your missions committee, church leadership, business ministry, small groups, men's ministry, women's ministry, congregation, or Christian professionals within your church.
We would love to explain the vision and explore what a partnership could look like.
Become a Financial Partner
Churches can also support the work financially through monthly missions support, special offerings, designated mission gifts, or sponsorship of entrepreneurship programs.
Financial partnership helps us build the infrastructure needed to train, mentor, and support entrepreneurs throughout Puerto Rico.
This Is Bigger Than a Mission Trip
A traditional mission trip may last seven days.
A relationship can last years.
Our desire is to create opportunities where churches do not simply visit Puerto Rico, but become part of strengthening communities there.
Someone from your congregation may become a mentor to an entrepreneur via Zoom.
That entrepreneur may build a successful business.
That business may employ other families.
Those families may remain in their community instead of feeling forced to leave Puerto Rico in search of opportunity.
And through those relationships, doors may open for the gospel.
That is the kind of multiplication we are praying for.
Help Us Build a New Model of Mission
We are looking for churches willing to explore what holistic mission could look like in Puerto Rico.
You do not need to have everything figured out.
The first step is simply a conversation.
Let's explore how the gifts already sitting within your congregation could help Puerto Rican families stay, build, and thrive.