Our Story
One used book. A divine mission. A movement of English and hope.
Our Beginning
God Is First English Center (GIF) was born from humble beginnings: a used book that found its way into the hands of a Guatemalan teenager and ignited a passion that would go on to change thousands of lives. That book — Basic Commercial English by Berta Ávila de Castillo — became the starting point for Verónica Sosa, our founder, to discover her calling.
Verónica learned English on her own, without private teachers, without internet, and without technology. She spent hours reading, writing, repeating phrases out loud, and translating word by word. This self-taught journey became the foundation of everything that followed: a vision, a mission, and a movement.
With perseverance and faith, she worked to pay for her studies and became an IGA instructor, a certified English teacher (PEM) from Universidad del Valle, and a certified educator. One day, she clearly felt God’s calling: “Help your people.” And so, GIF was born.
Our Mission: English with Purpose
At GIF, we teach English with excellence, but our essence goes beyond academics. We believe that if God is not first in life, there is no true purpose, direction, or lasting success.
That is why, as we train bilingual individuals, we remind every student of this truth:
English is the tool.
God is the foundation.
Transformation is the result.
Growth and Open Doors
What began in a small classroom has become a national and international platform:
Over 13 years of experience in Guatemala.
Official registration with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC).
Featured in national media such as Guatevisión, Radio Cultural TGN, TGW, and GuateTV.
Training requested by the Ministry of Environment, serving twice in preparation for COP, the world’s most important climate summit.
International volunteers from Canada, the United States, South Africa, Hungary, Australia, Germany, Slovakia, and more.
Active participation in the American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala (AMCHAM), strengthening our institutional credibility and opening doors in high-level business and educational environments.
From Guatemala to the United States
In 2023, God opened a new door: Verónica was invited to share her testimony in schools across South Carolina.
In 2024, during a trip to Georgia, she met the man who is now her husband, Jonathan Goodman. Verónica was 50 years old, and God gifted her a new beginning filled with purpose.
Today: A Movement
GIF was born from a used book. Today, by God’s grace, it is an international movement that transforms lives through English, faith, and service.
- God Is First.
- People are important.
- English changes lives.