Nathan and Claudia Hardeman
The son of American Southern Baptist missionaries, Nathan Hardeman, was born in Quetzaltenango. He earned a degree in International Business from the University of Georgia and was named as a UGA Alumni “40 under 40” in 2013. Claudia was born in Guatemala City. She grew up attending the Galilee Baptist Church. She holds an associate’s degree in Tourism and is a certified French Chef.
In 1996 Nathan began working as an associate pastor at Shalom Baptist Church. His work focused on serving high-risk neighborhoods across Guatemala City. Claudia joined him after their marriage in 2000. They both feel a strong conviction for seeing children come to Christ and to helping them reach their greatest potential. They especially have a concern for children that live in difficult situations with little to no hope for the future.
In 2009, Nathan and his wife Claudia founded Engadi Ministries. Their mission is to serve vulnerable families in Paraíso II, a particularly high-risk neighborhood in Zone 18 of Guatemala City. Rather than treat recurring symptoms of social illness alone, Nathan has led the Engadi organization to focus on rescuing boys from the root cause – a vicious cycle of fatherlessness and violence.
Engadi has been the focus of two American-made feature films: a documentary called The Lost Boys of Paradise as well as a narrative film set to premiere in American theaters in 2018 called Small Group.
Nathan and Claudia live in Guatemala City with their three children: Levi, Caleb & Abigail.
Home Church: Watkinsville First Baptist Church, GA