Meet the St. Esprits
We’re Cory and Abigail St. Esprit—along with our four kids: Avery, Joseph (Joey), Henry, and Edith (Edie). We’re a Pennsylvania family with a French last name that means “Holy Spirit,” now being sent to a Spanish-speaking nation. We couldn’t make that up if we tried.
Our Story
For the past 20 years, God has been connecting dots we didn’t know existed.
Cory came to faith at 15 in Wexford, Pennsylvania, at a church where he immediately dove into youth ministry and sports outreach—and where he would eventually serve on staff for several years. His path led through studying recreation and parks with a focus on outdoor leadership and camps, serving in ministry, and then returning to graduate school for sustainable community planning and international development. His career wound through nonprofit work in poverty alleviation and serving as Director of Local and Global Outreach—before taking what seemed like a sharp turn into the business world. Abbey grew up in the church at New London Alliance Church in New London, Ohio, and it was there in middle school that her faith became truly her own—a love for the Lord that has anchored her ever since.
Over two decades, we’ve built and operated Subway restaurants, laundromats, and real estate—learning firsthand how to lead teams, manage finances, oversee operations, and develop people. Abbey’s background in accounting and finance has anchored both our businesses and our home, where she leads the raising and homeschooling of our four kids.
Along the way, our family found a shared passion in equine ministry, serving together through Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch—watching God use horses to reach and heal young hearts.
Each season felt disconnected from the last. Camps. Community development. Nonprofits. Church leadership. Business. Horses. Homeschooling. But looking back, we see the thread: God was equipping our family for exactly what He’s calling us to next.
Why Panama?
Eight years ago, we encountered Panama through Cory’s position in church outreach ministry—and our whole family quickly fell in love. What began as ministry trips became something much deeper: we bought a home there in 2021 and have continued to grow our commitment part-time ever since, serving alongside Palabra de Vida (Word of Life: Panama).
What we found there changed us. Every year, God brings hundreds of teenagers to Christ through PDV’s ministry—many from indigenous communities with limited opportunities. Over 1,000 kids annually experience a high-energy, high-impact week at PDV’s 80-acre camp in Bejuco, Panama Oeste. And it doesn’t stop at camp: students grow through local church Bible clubs, and those called to ministry can continue through PDV’s Discipleship Institute and Word of Life’s global Bible Institutes. We’ve watched hopeless kids become hope-filled disciples—and then become ministry leaders themselves.
For eight years we served part-time, but God kept stirring our hearts: What if we gave everything to this work?
The Call
We’re going all in. In January 2027, our family is moving to Panama, where Cory will serve as Director of Operations for Palabra de Vida—overseeing the camp’s finances, HR, and a major capital expansion that will significantly expand the already 100+ acre property. The vision includes new schooling facilities (a Spanish Immersion School and a K-12 Christian School), a farm program to feed campers and fuel outreach, a horse program, new baseball and soccer fields, indoor classrooms, and an amphitheater.
But this was never about buildings. It’s about reaching more of Panama’s next generation with the hope of Christ—and equipping them to become the leaders who reach the generation after that.
Our Timeline
January 2027 — Arrive in Panama and volunteer with PDV’s annual camp
Spring 2027 — Begin Spanish language school in Panama: in-person classes, tutors, and online study, combined with full cultural immersion and involvement in both a Spanish-speaking and English-speaking church
Beyond — Serve full-time at the camp in Bejuco and in Panama City as the expansion vision unfolds
Join Us
Ministry was never meant to be done alone. We’re building a team of people who will pray with us, encourage us, and partner with us financially in this work. We’d love for you to be one of them.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” – Colossians 4:2-3
