Since January 2024, Camila has led OM in Chile, with her heart set on bringing the gospel to those who have yet to hear about Christ.
Born in Temuco, southern Chile, Camila Larraguibel is a woman of deep faith and dedication with a passion for missions. She has been married to her Brazilian husband, Matheus, for six years, and they have two daughters. Currently, the family live in Santiago, Chile. Since January 2024, Camila has led OM in Chile, with her heart set on bringing the gospel to those who have yet to hear about Christ.
Camila’s journey with Christ began in her childhood when her father took her to church. At the age of 15, in the midst of deep doubts about God and life, she had a transformative experience while participating in a youth group. During this time of questioning, Camila found the answer she sought in Psalm 118:17: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done” (NLT). This verse brought light to her life and became a guiding principle throughout her personal and ministry journey.
During her university years, Camila began questioning the purpose of her studies in Industrial Engineering. An unexpected invitation from a Christian working in North Africa to attend a missions conference in Peru marked the beginning of Camila's journey in missions.
This event culminated in her first hands-on experience in Cuba, where she preached for the first time in a house church. “People were climbing through windows to hear the gospel. It was a life-changing moment,” she recalls with emotion.
After finishing her degree, Camila worked as an engineer for two years, but her heart was already devoted to full-time missions. When she learnt about Logos Hope, one of OM's ships, she immediately applied, and after nine months of intensive training with OM in Chile, she embarked on a nine-year journey. She held various roles on Logos Hope, from managing the bookstore to leading onboard ministries. This experience was pivotal in shaping her vision for service and her love for the least reached.
“It was a precious time where I learnt so much about serving the Lord and loving those who had never heard of Jesus,” she shares.
Returning to Chile and current challenges
After a decade of service abroad, Camila returned to Chile and noticed profound changes. Santiago, the capital, had become a culturally diverse hub where the gospel had grown, but atheism and secularism — especially among youth — had also increased.
Despite Chile’s political stability, divisions often lead to protests. Disillusionment with the Church, largely due to scandals within the Catholic Church, has shaken the faith of many. Additionally, the growing number of immigrants has brought both challenges and opportunities for intercultural ministry. “The diversity we encounter here brings new challenges and ministry opportunities, especially with the arrival of immigrants from neighbouring countries,” Camila observes.
As the leader of OM in Chile, Camila faces the challenge of restructuring the team and laying new foundations for the ministry. With determination, she emphasises the importance of realigning all activities with OM’s vision of seeing vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure our ministries align with this mission. The Lord has blessed us with workers and financial provision, and this gives us hope for the future,” she affirms.
One of the standout ministries is the Ruby Project, which serves children at social risk. With around 15 volunteers, the project has brought hope to many children, and Camila celebrates the growing commitment of new volunteers. Additionally, FIT Global, a professional training programme, has already impacted five people in Chile. Among them, Camila highlights a young volunteer who, after completing the course, felt called to serve in a least-reached country. “She’s taking her first steps to get there, and that fills us with joy,” Camila shares.
Camila has big hopes for 2025. Her dream is to see an increasing number of Chileans and Latin Americans going to the least reached. “Chile today is a country with great diversity of nationalities. We can’t limit ourselves to sending only Chileans. Everyone here has the potential to impact nations,” she states. She also plans to create an online training platform to reach all regions of the country and develop business initiatives to financially support missionaries.
Camila acknowledges that there is much work ahead and asks for prayer for financial, emotional and spiritual provision for her team. The relaunch of short-term teams and intensive mission training are among the projects that excite her most in the coming years.
For those who wish to get involved in OM’s ministry in Chile — whether through prayer, financial support or direct participation — the doors are wide open.
“We are ready to talk about the many opportunities to serve. Every small act of faith can impact lives forever,” Camila concludes.