New Orphan Outreach executive director Rey Diaz and his family
(Photo courtesy of Orphan Outreach)
USA (MNN) — [EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an article posted directly from Orphan Outreach. Click here to learn more about this organization’s work.]
The first thing you notice about Rey Diaz is his ever-present smile. No matter where the journey takes him, from impoverished communities in Kenya where family preservation and education is the priority, to orphanages in Central America where Orphan Outreach ministry teams are ensuring vulnerable children are given hope through safe, secure, Christ-centered care, Rey’s smile offers comfort and encouragement to everyone he meets.
And when you sit down to talk, it’s clear why the smile exists. For seventeen years, Rey has been working to meet the holistic needs of children trapped in poverty. He’s seen what happens when the Church is mobilized to respond to the needs of orphans around the world. And as the new Executive Director of Orphan Outreach, Rey brings both expertise and passion to the leadership of church partnerships and program development.
“Rey is going to be a great addition to our team. Orphan Outreach has continued to grow during our eight years of ministry, and Rey will assist me with the increased administration demands of the ministry,” says Michael Douris, President of Orphan Outreach. “He will also be a great asset to assist in working with our church partners coming from the pastorate of a great church in Seattle.”
Rey recounts his first conversations with Orphan Outreach President Mike Douris. “Every once in a while you connect with like-minded people whose hearts burn for the same passions, who step into ministry with the same strategy, and those moments burn bright.” From ministry programs to countries served, he felt God was hand-crafting a place for his family to fully invest their time and resources.
“As my wife and I have looked back over the course of our lives, it has become increasingly clear that God has been preparing us for this great work at Orphan Outreach. God has been orchestrating for such a time as this.”
Rey studied at Fuller Theological Seminary, earning his Doctorate in Intercultural Studies with a focus on Missiology and Children at Risk. He then moved to Honduras where he worked with nationals on a project to serve the needs of children from a local garbage dump. Rey then returned to the United States to serve as the Lead Pastor of Washington Cathedral in Redmond, Washington, where he encouraged his congregation to serve both domestically and internationally.
Rey enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. The smile appears again when he talks about his hobbies. “I love to read, and I love playing sports–when I’m not injured from playing sports.”
As he begins his journey with Orphan Outreach, Rey gives thanks for what he knows is an answer to his heart’s prayer: “To be joining a team of passionate followers of Jesus, dedicated to serving the least of these is a dream come true.”
