About us · Panama and the U.S.

Living Water Ministries International

One ministry with two primary entities: Living Water Foundation USA, in the United States, and Living Water Foundation Panama, which supports the ministries and ministry partners in Panama.

Two macaws and the word Panama
About us
Structure

One ministry, two foundations.

Living Water Ministries International brings together Living Water Foundation USA and Living Water Foundation Panama.

  1. 01 Foundation · USA

    Living Water Foundation USA

    Supports LWF Panama and future ministry initiatives.

    Learn about the foundation
  2. 02 Foundation · Panama

    Living Water Foundation Panama

    Supports the ministries and ministry partners in Panama.

    Learn about the foundation
  3. 03 Ministries · LWF Panama

    Ministries and ministry partners

    Living Water Retreat Center · Julianna Cordoba · Peter Davidson · Daniel Aleks · IBNN · New Birth Bible Church · IBA · Friendship Bible Church · Templo Bíblico Cristo es la Roca · PCA

Give from the U.S. Meet the ministries
Team

The Living Water family, in the United States and in Panama.

Founders, missionaries and the retreat center team: the people who carry the ministry on both sides of the bridge.

Todd, Tracy, Makenna and Brecken Cartwright
Team · 01 / 08

Cartwright

Todd, Tracy, Makenna and Brecken

Co-founders, Living Water Foundation

The Living Water Foundation began with an invitation. During a family trip to Panama in July 2023, Randy Weets challenged Todd and Tracy Cartwright to pray about how God might involve their family more deeply in the ministry there. That conversation became the beginning of a journey of prayer, obedience, and faith. In March 2024, God opened another door when Todd connected with Diego Giraldo of the Stone Soup Foundation, who helped provide the guidance needed to establish a U.S.-based nonprofit. By April 2024, Todd and Tracy, together with Jordan and Michelle Weets, launched the Living Water Foundation. What began as a simple step of faith has grown into a ministry focused on equipping churches and leaders, families, mobilizing mission teams, and supporting the Living Water Retreat Center and ministry partners throughout Panama. At its heart, Living Water is a story of ordinary people saying yes to an extraordinary God, and trusting Him to use that obedience to bring life and lasting Kingdom impact for generations to come.

Jordan, Michelle, Myka and Logan Weets
Team · 02 / 08

Weets

Jordan, Michelle, Myka and Logan

Co-founders · full-time in Panama

The vision of the Living Water Retreat Center continues through Jordan and Michelle Weets, who now serve full-time in Panama, carrying forward the work that began with Randy and Donna Weets more than a decade ago. What started as 15.65 acres of jungle has become a Christ-centered place of rest, renewal, discipleship, and gospel impact, welcoming pastors, missionaries, families, youth, and churches from across Panama and beyond. Through daily discipleship, operational leadership, mentoring, and partnership with a growing Panamanian team, Jordan and Michelle are committed to cultivating an environment where people can encounter Christ, be strengthened in their faith, and return to their homes and ministries refreshed and equipped. Their heart is to see the Living Water Retreat Center continue multiplying its impact, strengthening marriages, equipping leaders, discipling the next generation, and sending people out to serve Christ wherever He calls.

Randy and Donna Weets
Team · 03 / 08

Weets

Randy and Donna

Missionaries in Panama · Randy serves on the LWF board

For more than 38 years, Randy and Donna Weets have faithfully served Christ in Panama, investing their lives in people, churches, families, and the next generation. Their ministry has included planting Iglesia Bíblica Amistad, co-founding Panama Christian Academy, helping establish Spanish-language theological education through Grace School of Theology, and developing the Living Water Retreat Center, a place dedicated to strengthening marriages, restoring pastors, and equipping leaders through God’s Word. From Christian education and discipleship to radio, missions, and community ministry, their calling has always been centered on planting and watering faithfully while trusting God for the growth. Today, the Living Water Retreat Center stands as a testimony to decades of obedience and a foundation for continued gospel impact throughout Panama and beyond. Through their faithfulness, Randy and Donna have helped create a legacy that continues to strengthen families, equip leaders, and advance the gospel for generations to come.

Pete Davidson with his wife and children
Team · 04 / 08

Davidson

Pete and family

Missionaries in Panama · Ministry Director, Living Water Retreat Center · long-term

Peter Davidson and his family followed God’s lead to Panama, trusting Him to reveal their purpose along the way. That calling has led them to the Living Water Retreat Center, where Peter now serves as Ministry Director alongside his wife and children. Peter works closely with pastors and local churches, learning their needs, developing ways to support and encourage them, and connecting U.S. and international mission teams with opportunities to serve alongside Panamanian believers. Through relationships, discipleship, and practical ministry, the Davidson family is helping strengthen the Church in Panama and connect people from around the world to the gospel work God is doing through Living Water.

Julianna Cordoba
Team · 05 / 08

Cordoba

Julianna

Missionary in Panama · Administrative Assistant, Living Water Retreat Center · long-term

Julianna Cordoba serves as Administrative Assistant and Ministry Partner at the Living Water Retreat Center, where she plays an essential role in helping the ministry operate and grow. She serves as a liaison for visiting churches and mission teams, helps plan and organize retreats and events, and works behind the scenes to create meaningful opportunities for people to serve, connect, and grow. Julianna’s passion for ministry flows from a personal relationship with Christ and a desire to faithfully use her gifts for His glory. Guided by Acts 20:24, she seeks to serve with humility and purpose, investing her time, talents, and heart into the people and ministry God has entrusted to her. We are grateful for Julianna’s faithful service and the vital role she plays in connecting people to the work God is doing through Living Water.

Luis, Mallory, Alexander, Isabel and Emma Barrios
Team · 06 / 08

Barrios

Luis, Mallory, Alexander, Isabel and Emma

Chef, Living Water Retreat Center

For the past several years, Luis has been an important part of the Living Water Retreat Center family, serving others through his gift of cooking and hospitality. He takes great care in preparing thoughtful, delicious meals that nourish both body and spirit, often going the extra mile to make each guest feel welcomed and cared for. Through his hard work, creativity, and genuine love for people, Luis reflects the love of Christ in a simple but meaningful way, one meal at a time. We are grateful for the joy, excellence, and hospitality he brings to Living Water.

Eliseo, Jessica and Genesis Chiru
Team · 07 / 08

Chiru

Eliseo, Jessica and Genesis

Shepherds and Camp Hosts, Living Water Retreat Center

For Eliseo and Jessica, the Living Water Retreat Center has become far more than a place of ministry, it has been a place where God has shaped their family, strengthened their faith, and deepened their commitment to Christ. For more than five years, they have had the opportunity to serve, learn, and grow at the Living Water Retreat Center, gaining a deeper understanding of God’s Word and what it means to live a life fully surrendered to Him. Through the relationships, responsibilities, and experiences God has provided at Living Water, the ministry has become a significant part of their spiritual journey and one of the instruments He has used to prepare them for His purpose. Today, Eliseo and Jessica continue to serve at the Living Water Retreat Center, investing in others from the same place of faith, growth, and surrender that has shaped their own lives.

Daniel Aleks sitting in a boat on a lake
Team · 08 / 08

Aleks

Daniel

Missionary in Panama · Support Staff, Living Water Retreat Center · short-term

Daniel Aleks is a faithful and enthusiastic servant of Christ with a heart for people and ministry. Through his involvement with Calvary Baptist Church, Daniel has served in audio/visual ministry, youth ministry, and missions, while also participating in Mission Ignite through Slavic Baptist Church. Known for his kindness, dependability, positive attitude, and willingness to serve, Daniel brings a cooperative spirit and genuine desire to see others encouraged in their walk with Christ. As a short-term ministry partner with Living Water, Daniel is committed to using his gifts to serve alongside others, support ministry efforts in Panama, and help advance the gospel wherever God provides an opportunity.

History

Our story, from 2012 to today.

  1. Our beginning

    The vision of the Living Water Retreat Center began as a ministry located at the Chagres river, where several camps were held.

    Wooden house on a green hill

  2. Three years later

    The cleanup work began on the property located in La Bonga Abajo, Capira, throughout the year, and the first buildings on the property started to take shape.

    Forest on the property with a person among the trees

  3. Something especially new

    The Living Water Retreat Center begins hosting retreats and camps with local churches.

    Group gathered under an open roof

  4. Three more years

    The Living Water Retreat Center officially opens its doors for churches in Panama to use the facilities and host retreats and camps.

    Living Water sign among plants and trees

  5. A space for retreats and gatherings

    Today, by the grace of God, we can say that thousands of people have passed through the Living Water Retreat Center and have been blessed by this beautiful ministry.

    Large group in green T-shirts in front of a building at the center
Doctrine

What we believe, in brief.

  1. We believe that true hope, salvation, and eternal life are found only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Living Water.
  2. We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God and serves as the foundation for faith, doctrine, and daily living.
  3. We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Three sentences from the Living Water Foundation doctrinal statement.

Read the full statement

Meet the ministries we support in Panama.

Every ministry and ministry partner has its own entry: what it does, where it is, and how to support it.

Meet the ministries Give