Ecuador Attorney Pauses Career to Be a Missionary in Paraguay

Ecuador’s attorney-at-law Evelin Tatiana Paladines Sevillano decided to pause her professional career and dedicate a year of her life to missionary service in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, as part of the One Year in Mission (OYIM) project, an initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The program invites young people from South America to evangelize in urban centers and share the message of hope for a year. 

Paladines, originally from San Vicente, Manabí, on the coast of Ecuador, has felt the call to service since she was 15, when she participated in the Caleb Mission initiative. “Since then, I knew that serving to reach others filled my heart,” she said. 

Previous Next

After completing her studies, Paladines began working in a law firm in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, achieving professional fulfillment. She was constantly reminded, however, of the promise she had made to God: If He would allow her to keep her college scholarship, she would dedicate a year of her life to mission service. 

“Just when I was about to make a decision [for a year of mission service], a great job opportunity arose, which included an attractive financial compensation. It was a unique opportunity in my career, but I had made a promise,” she shared. 

After a deep internal struggle she decided to reject the offer and apply to the OYIM 2024 project. Her commitment to mission led her to become part of OYIM South America 2025. 

“I love my career, but my love for service is greater,” Paladines said. She is aware of some of the challenges she faces in Paraguay, which include adapting to different food, learning the Guarani language, and practicing evangelism in a different culture. But she feels ready. “I am an ambassador for God. I know we all have personal dreams, but God’s dreams are bigger. If our dream prevents us from fulfilling God’s dream, it is time to understand that it is better to serve in order to store treasure in heaven,” she said. 

During her service at OYIM, Paladines will work on planting a new Adventist congregation, creating Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, organizing health and nutrition fairs, planning get-togethers and social events, and distributing books. Her goal is to impact lives and bring hope to every person she encounters. 

Adventist church leaders in Ecuador said they keep motivating young people to live missionary experiences both across the country and beyond. Paladines is part of a team of 16 young people from eight countries across South America who have committed to a full year in mission in 2025. 

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.