Former Assemblies of God World Missions Executive Director John Bueno passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the age of 85.

John Bueno leaves a legacy of faith, vision, perseverance, and care for the most needy, impacting the lives of all he encountered. John’s pastoral heart was at the core of his actions, stressing the importance of missionaries’ one-on-one connection with a local pastor and acting as a pastor to the 2,600 missionaries he led during his time as executive director. John Bueno also empowered women in ministerial leadership positions, inviting them into the AGWM executive committee leadership processes.

John Bueno was born in 1938 in Modesto, Calif. As a missionary kid in Chile, John grew up on the mission field, learning Spanish as his first language. Educated at Bethany College in Scotts Valley, Calif., he earned a degree in exegetical theology and received an honorary doctorate in law. He later received an honorary doctorate at Evangelical University of El Salvador and Christian University of El Salvador.

John began his missionary journey with his wife, Lois, in November 1961, 9 months after they were married. He served AGWM Latin America Caribbean Region as a career missionary in San Salvador, El Salvador, and pastored Centro Evangelistico.

For 9 consecutive years, Centro Evangelistico experienced a plateau. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, one Sunday John preached on Pentecost and the lordship of Christ. However, there was little response from the congregation. John began preaching this same message every Sunday. When confronted by church leadership about preaching the same message Sunday after Sunday, John responded, “I’m going to keep preaching this message until we get it.”

John Bueno preached this message for 13 consecutive Sundays. After the 13th Sunday, the members of Centro Evangelistico asked for a prayer meeting and, in six months the church grew from 300 worshippers to 2,000 worshippers. Eventually, the congregation grew to more than 23,000 worshippers in multiple campuses.

With its influx of growth, Centro Evangelistico planted more than 100 other churches, established 39 Christian schools, and educated hundreds of thousands of children.

John Bueno’s heart for children in need led him, in 1963, to establish Latin America ChildCare—now ChildHope—to educate, clothe, feed, and care for students. Today, his legacy continues. ChildHope serves nearly 100,000 children in 300 schools and projects in 20 countries throughout the Latin America Caribbean Region.

After serving as a career missionary, John Bueno was elected Latin America Caribbean regional director in 1989. He served in this position for eight years before being elected AGWM executive director in 1997.

During his time as executive director, Bueno formed two new AGWM regions: Europe and Northern Asia. In his role, he emphasized the importance of the local church and was known to go “above and beyond” in his duties.

In addition to his pastoral, missionary, and leadership contributions, John Bueno also wrote a variety of books about ministering and the missionary experience including: “Remember the Poor: Reflection and Insight from a Missionary Leader;” “In His Service: Encouragement and Perspective from a Missionary Statesman;” “Sacrifice and Triumph: A Timeless Treasury of Missions Stories;” “An Open Heart: Inspiration and Wisdom from a Missionary Pastor;” and “In Christ Alone.”

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lois, and by his children Bob, Ron, Steve, and David, as well as many relatives. Following in their father’s footsteps, each of his children are involved in acts of public service, serving underprivileged communities.

A visitation will be held in his honor at Global University, Springfield, Mo., on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Bueno’s funeral will be held at Central Assembly of God, Springfield, Mo., on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. A live stream will be made available for those interested in attending virtually. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.