This letter is to inform you of a tragedy that has taken place in our Academy family related to our beloved Vice Principal, Robert Muñoz. This blog contains sensitive information.

Dear Academy Family,

As you may know, this last week we had a mission team serving in El Salvador made up of Academy students, G.O.D. summer interns, and GOD Int’l facilitators. They had a powerful week of ministry to the poor with God moving in powerful ways.

On July 4, the G.O.D. Summer Interns and the Academy El Salvador team were enjoying a recreational day at the beach on their final day. Everyone at the beach was given rules and warnings about the ocean and staying shallow, including having two in-water personnel to create the outer boundaries and keep students within it, plus several other personnel in a lifeguard watch role.

Tragically, two trip facilitators, G.O.D. staff members Michael Davis and Robert Muñoz - having of their own volition chosen to go beyond the restricted boundaries, were caught in a rip current. Three lifeguards rescued them out of the water, Michael conscious and Robert unconscious. Several attempted to help, performing CPR, and transferred Rob quickly to a hospital.

Our team, including RN Jordan Miller, Midwife Celesta Bargatze, and a team of development workers trained in emergency situations performed CPR on Rob while swiftly transferring him to the hospital. Rob’s best friends, Gregg Garner and Jason Roufs never left his side. Sadly, Rob passed away on the evening of July 4th.

Rob and Heather’s families, along with the Community Church for GOD, are surrounding the Muñoz family in prayer and support. Rob has been instrumental in the formation of the Academy for G.O.D. and so beloved as the Vice Principal. We cannot imagine the Academy hallways, or the morning announcements, without him. We know that Rob would want the Academy students to continue worshipping Jesus alongside their best friends, just as he did. We hope to honor him by continuing to cultivate that kind of legacy at our school.

We have gathered a list of resources for you regarding talking with children about loss (listed below). We ask for your mercy and your prayers as our team has had to navigate the loss of one of our founding pillars and best friends, alongside caring for Academy kids on the trip and the school family God’s given us. We have done it to the best of our ability with God’s help.

Support the Muñoz Family