LAVIDA
ABOUT
WHO ARE WE?
We are a ministry network for Hispanics and non-Hispanics who have a heart to reach U.S Hispanics for Christ. The LaVida ministry reaches across all Navigator Missions to serve laborers and staff that are Hispanic.
WHAT DO WE DO?
​
-
The focus of LaVida is to help carry out our Navigator Calling among US Hispanics by contributing to the Navigator Missions’ ability to reach, disciple and train Hispanic laborers and leaders.
-
LaVida will provide encouragement, shepherding, coaching, relational connectivity and be an influence multiplier.
-
LaVida is positioned as an integral core network of the U.S. Navigators to partner and develop new culturally relevant ways of reaching Hispanics.
-
LaVida events will serve as a catalyst for recruitment, connecting laborers and leaders in helping create momentum, training, mission alignment and vision casting for Hispanics in the US Navigators
-
LaVida will assist Navigator Missions and ministries in and recruiting the next generation of Hispanics and non-Hispanics laborers who have a heart for reaching US Hispanics for Christ.
Meet Our Team
Alicia Garcia
Co-Director
When I arrived as a freshman at Arizona State University from Texas, I knew no one. I walked around seeking Christian fellowship. After visiting a few different groups, it became apparent to me that The Navigators, unlike some of the other groups, cared for me beyond being a number in their ministry.
The Navs quickly became not just an organization, but my family. Being far from home, it was this community I grew to cherish. The Navigators placed strong importance on discipleship and helping me grow closer to God.
I met one-on-one with a staff woman, and for the first time in my life, I was reading the Bible—hungry for what God had to tell me! Going to the desert of Arizona was a time God set aside to refine my life. He brought me through healing of past hurts, and brought core lies to light, that I was not even aware existed!
I see great value and opportunity in spreading God’s truth on the college campus. My passion now is to see others experience the same personal relationship and freedom in Christ that I have come to know. After 11 years on staff in Southern California, Penn State, and Oregon, I am pleased to continue laboring on the Collegiate Leadership Team.
I want to equip, engage, and empower students to know their identity in Christ and labor for the Gospel both where they are and into the nations. I cannot wait to see God’s transforming power in each of our lives used for his Glory!
Sam Huxford
Co-Director
Sam Huxford was born in the Dominican Republic and lived there until he was 4, when he then moved to Miami. He became a believer at the age of 11 but it was when God introduced the Navigators to him in college at Florida State University where he wholeheartedly began to follow God. While studying finance, he felt the call to come on staff to reach students like him that came into college wanting to grow in their faith and also for the many students who don’t know Jesus.
He has been on staff with the Navigators in collegiate for 4 years. He was introduced to the LaVida Network several years ago which began his journey into embracing his ethnicity. Throughout this time, he has had the wonderful privilege of being married to his lovely wife Jennifer Huxford for 8 years, and they have three kids, Isabella, Aria, & Luca. They are pioneering a collegiate ministry at Florida International University in Miami, FL. They desire to see students and non-students in Miami know the one, true God. Sam serves LaVida Network as the Director for the LaVida Conference.
Josh Borunda
Executive Team Member
Josh Borunda is on staff with the collegiate mission of the Navigators. He was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, in a traditional Hispanic family. He left home for college and moved to Lubbock, Texas to pursue a business degree at Texas Tech University, thanks largely to receiving an academic scholarship. Being the first in his extended family to go to college, he was the first to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business in 2010. He then pursued a master’s degree in Business Administration in 2012.
During his time at Texas Tech, several godly men invested their lives in him, and helped him grow in a biblical understanding of God’s grace, his own kingdom character, and a true understanding of biblical masculinity. Since then, he has gotten married and now is pioneering a new ministry at Texas State University.
This journey has been exciting and humbling as he has learned more about God, as well as how to raise a younger generation of college students wrestling with very real questions about life and God. Josh serves LaVida Network by being the influencer for Navigators Collegiate.
Alex Mata
D4L Influencer