Archive for the ‘Church Planting’ Category

Jesus Brings Beauty From Ashes

Posted: May 9, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God’s Miraculous Work
Pastor Jorge Alvarado and Lucy

God brought one of our church planters back from the brink of death. I’m often amazed by the testimonies of those that Dawn and I partner with in ministry. It’s been so good to get to know Pastor Jorge Alvarado and his wife, Lucy. Jorge is planting the church that we just started in Mexicali.

You can read more about that, and more about his story from my last two posts: A New Birth in Mexicali and A New Birth! In my last post I shared how Jorge was shot three times. He was at death’s door. The doctors told Jorge’s mom, Petra that they had done all that they could and there was nothing more that they could do for him.

The Rest of the Story
Jorge with his mom, Petra

Here’s the rest of the story.

It was at that moment that Jorge, cried out, “Madre!” The medical staff ran back into the room where Jorge was. When they saw that Jorge woke up they all got down on their knees and said it was a miracle! Praise God! It’s not every day that we see a miracle like this.

While Jorge was on the operating table he had an experience with God. He said it was as if his spirit left his body and he could see himself on the operating table. He saw his mom and the doctors. Some angels took him by the arm and they took up to the doorway to heaven. It may have actually been the doorway to heaven and hell. Jorge told me he could hear crying and groaning coming from one of the doorways and the other one was bright, like a light shining.

There was an angel at the doorway and he was leafing through a big book. Jorge could feel the breeze as the angel turned the pages. The angel looked up from the book at Jorge and asked him what he wanted. He didn’t know how to respond. At this point Jorge was still caught in his addictive lifestyle and he hadn’t yet given his life to Christ.

After thinking about it Jorge said that he wanted to make things right with his family. He wanted to ask them to forgive him. At that moment Jorge was ushered back down to his body. Again he could see his body on the gurney and the medical staff in the room.

When he came back to his body he woke up, and cried out for his mom! Wow! A modern day resurrection, like Lazarus. Pastor Alvarado had been in a coma for 3 days. I love the imagery. He like Christ and Lazarus was without life for 3 days and God raised him up and brought him back to life.

Setting the Captives Free

After this life altering experience Pastor Jorge found a Christian drug rehabilitation center. It was there that he found Christ. The Pastor of the drug rehab is Juan Huape, who is one of our church planters. Pastor Juan and his wife, Virginia planted a church in Mexicali a few years ago. They also run a drug rehab.

Dave with Pastor Jorge, Pastor Juan Huape and Pastor Daniel Nuñez at the church planting site

Since Pastor Alvarado was saved out of a life of addiction God has given him and Lucy a desire to minister to people who are seeking to break the chains of drug addiction. This is a focus for their outreach and their work in church planting.

This reminds me of Isaiah 61, which is the passage that Jesus quoted from when he began his public ministry. The gospel is good news for the poor, the broken-hearted and the captives.

““The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,’


‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When I first heard Jorge’s testimony last year tears welled up in my eyes as I listened. It was like the Spirit touched me and encouraged me through his redemptive story. His story reminded me of our daughter, Hannah. It was like a glimpse into heaven where our daughter has been for the last 5 1/2 years.

I hope Jorge’s story might encourage you as well. I hope that the Lord will use his testimony to strengthen your faith.

You Can Help!

We just began building the church for Pastor Jorge and Lucy last month.

The partially built church in Mexicali

We have enough funds to frame the walls and put up some of the roof, but we weren’t able to complete the project. We still need $6,000 to finish building the church. That’s where you come in.

  • First, pray for Jorge and Lucy and this vital ministry. 
  • Second, prayerfully consider making a gift today. 

Mexicali is in the desert. It’s hot, and the temperature often exceeds 100. The church needs a finished roof and walls and air conditioning as they head into the summer months. 

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church. We are almost there! Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Dawn and I appreciate the critical role you play in bringing the light of the gospel to Mexicali and Beyond!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth in Mexicali

Posted: April 25, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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An Exciting Day – Building a New Church
Building the new church in Mexicali

Last Monday, the day after Easter was a wonderful day. I got up and I drove 2 1/2 hours east to Mexicali. Once I arrived at the church site, I noticed that the walls were already up for the new church. I count it a privilege to be involved in starting new churches. This particular church is being led by Pastor Jorge Alvarado along with his wife, Lucy.

I wrote about Jorge and Lucy in my last post. They have an amazing testimony that reminds me of God’s love and how He pursues prodigals. Our God transforms lives in the most astounding ways.

Pastor Jorge & Lucy’s Story
Pastor Jorge and Lucy

On this trip I not only was able to witness the construction of this new life giving church, but I was able to met Jorge’s mom, Petra and others to learn more about their story.

If you remember from my last post Jorge was caught in life of drugs and addiction for a number of years. He was so bad that he said that he would wear shoes that didn’t match in public, and his hair was a mess. People in the community where he lived disliked him, some even hated him. He and his wife Lucy were separated and she moved to another city a long ways away.

While Jorge was on crystal meth and involved with the wrong people he was shot three times. Once in each leg and once in his stomach. He was in the hospital for 50 days, and in a coma for 3 of those days. There was a point were the doctors took Petra outside of the room where he was being treated, and they said he was dying and that there wasn’t anything else that they could do. While they were outside giving Jorge’s mom that devastating news, Jorge cried out, “Madre!” (Mom!).

A Miracle!
Jorge with his mom, Petra

The medical staff rushed back into the room. Petra said when she walked backed into the room that all eight of the people on the medical staff had gotten on their knees and they said it’s a miracle.

One of the amazing pieces to this story is that neither Jorge nor his mom were believers at the time. Yet, God decided that He had a better plan for Jorge.

After this incident Jorge got into a Christian based drug rehab center where he gave his life to Christ.

A Restored Marriage
David & Dawn with Lucy and Jorge

His wife, Lucy was living in another part of Mexico with their daughter. They were not yet believers either. Their daughter found Jorge on Facebook, and told Lucy that she wanted to go back to Mexicali to be with her dad. God brought them back together and restored their marriage and gave them new life in Christ.

That’s just amazing! It warms my heart when I hear their testimony. I found that when I’m with Jorge and Lucy and we are sharing and encouraging one another one of us if not all of are crying.

Jesus Light Is Shining in Mexicali
Dave with Pastor Jorge, Pastor Juan Huape and Pastor Daniel Nuñez, who are all part of Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries)

They not only came to Christ, but now we are partnering with them to build a church and shine the light of Christ in the community where they now live. This is the same community that laughed at Jorge. No one liked him, but God changed all of that. Now he is respected and God is using him to bring the good news of the gospel to the people. Many others who were or are caught in addiction are finding Christ through this church.

I’m so thankful for the life and testimony of Jorge and Lucy. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s grace and His power to bring life transformation. I give thanks that we can partner with them to start this new church.

You Can Help!
The Partially built church in Mexicali

Last week we had enough funds to frame the walls and put up some of the roof, but we weren’t able to finish. We still need $6,000 to finish building the church. That’s where you come in.

First, pray for Jorge and Lucy and this vital ministry.
Second, prayerfully consider making a gift today.

Mexicali is in the desert. It’s hot, and the temperature often exceeds 100. The church needs a finished roof and walls and air conditioning as they head into the summer months.

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church. We are almost there! Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Dawn and I appreciate the critical role you play in bringing the light of the gospel to Mexicali and Beyond!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A New Birth!

Posted: April 13, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is Building His Church in Mexicali
Pastor Daniel & Yoli with Pastor Jorge & Lucy on the property where the church will be built

Next Monday, April 18th the day after Easter we are building a church in Mexicali, Mexico. We are partnering with our good friends, Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) to begin construction for a new church plant. Pastor Daniel Nuñoz who leads Ministerios Transformación has a God given vision to plant 50 churches. Pastor Daniel has almost accomplished this goal. This will be the 45th church that he’s started.

Dawn and I love the friendship that we have with Daniel and his wife, Yoli. They’ve become some of our closest friends. This is the 8th church that we’ve help them start. God has enabled us to raise funds to expand the ministry of 7 of their other churches as well. Dawn and I have enjoyed our relationship with all the pastors and leaders with Ministerios Transformación. We give thanks to the Lord for opening the door for us to train and mentor many of them. It’s one of the most fruitful church planting ministries that we’ve partnered with in all of our years in missions.

God Rescued Pastor Jorge and Lucy

Pastor Jorge and Lucy

The church in Mexicali will be lead by Pastor Jorge Alvarado and his wife, Lucy. Jorge has an amazing testimony. He was enslaved to drugs for many years. God rescued him from this life, and now he is serving as a pastor. After being saved from a destructive lifestyle, God has given Pastor Jorge a heart to help men who are stuck in addictions. His dream is to someday be able to open a drug rehab center as a ministry of his church.

Jorge had a near death experience before he came to Christ. He was shot 3 times in a drug related shooting. While he was in the hospital he laid in a coma for three days. The doctors told his mom that he was was going to die, and it would take a miracle for him to survive. Jesus showed up and miraculously healed Jorge. God had a different plan, a better destiny for Pastor Jorge.

When Jorge told me his story it brought tears to my eyes. It made me think of my daughter, Hannah. God’s plans and purposes are mysterious in many ways, but I love redemptive stories, like Jorge’s.

Dawn and I went to see the site where we are going to build the church for Pastor Jorge and Lucy. It’s a simple place in a poor neighborhood. We have been impressed by their commitment to serve the Lord and to sacrifice for Christ.

Jorge and Lucy set up a canopy for shade and have started holding services. The church is growing even though they don’t have a building! People are coming to know Jesus!

We are so excited by what God is doing, and how He is building His church.

Extend Your Hands to Help Us Finish Building This Church
Dave & Dawn with Lucy & Jorge

Even though we are starting to build the church this coming Monday we still don’t have all the funds we need to finish the church. We will begin construction, but we need to raise $6,000 more to complete the project.

Dawn and I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation today to help us finish building this church. We are almost there. Please consider giving a gift of $50, $100, $250, $1,000, or more to plant a new church in Mexicali, Mexico. Dawn and I appreciate the critical role in play in bringing the light of the gospel to Mexicali and Beyond!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A Tale of Two Cities

Posted: April 4, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Growth in Spite of the Suffering on the Big Island
The Church is Alive and Growing on the Big Island

Every day I receive messages from our familia on the Big Island. They are letting us know how they are doing, and how we can be praying for them. I like to send them short devotional messages and prayers with the hope that they will breathe life into their soul. Jesus uses these words to minister hope and encouragement to them. The isolation they live in from the rest of the world makes these words and the connection all the more important.

It’s the tale of two cities, because on the hand the church is growing. It’s growing in amazing ways! Thousands are coming to Christ and the Lord is moving powerfully through our familia. On the other hand the people suffer, because of the oppression and that the scarcity that they are forced to endure.

Many of our familia have health problems because of the lack of food medicine. It saddens our hearts to hear the stories of the families that we’ve come to love. Just today I received a message from Dairon one of the leaders in the church. He told me that his daughter, Jessica is seeing the doctor, because she has been battling with diabetes and hypertension. She’s very young to be dealing with these health issues. Jessica is featured in the video below that I’ve included in this post.

Dairon’s wife, Dayana (who is also featured in the video) had been experiencing some hemorrhaging and they feared that she might have cancer. The church prayed fervently and she’s been cleared, so we give thanks for that. We are also praying for Jessica’s health and healing.

Video: A Tale of Two Cities on the Big Island
God is doing an amazing work on the Big Island in spite of the hardships our familia is facing

One of the pastors, Jorge that we work closely with is often in ill health, because of the lack of protein in his diet. We are sending aid to these families, but it’s an ongoing struggle as the lack of food, basic needs and medicine is a ever present problem on the Big Island. Things that we never have to think about or worry about here in the USA are constant concerns for our familia. That’s why it’s so important that you pray.

Even with all these obstacles the pastors and leaders in these churches are committed to take the love of Christ to every man, woman and child. They are some of most powerful prayer warriors that I’ve ever met, which is one of the big reasons why the church is growing. God is on the move. Help us to pray for these wonderful friends, who have become our familia!

Join Us Prayer

Your prayers and your financial gifts are pivotal and they are making a huge difference in the lives of these families. We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island! Our familia is forever grateful for your generosity.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond
BeyondBordersLife.org

A Tribute to Jayson Kyle

Posted: March 22, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Mom and Jayson Kyle – March 19th
Jay Kyle: photo credit to City to City, Tim Keller’s Tribute to Jay Kyle

Saturday, March 19 marked the second year, since my mom, Virginia A. Diaso moved to heaven. It also was the first day a close friend and mentor, Jayson Kyle moved to heaven. It’s interesting to me that both my mom and now Jay share this same date when they entered into the Father’s presence.

It was a shock for me and all that knew Jay that it all happened so quickly. He had a massive stroke on March 7th, and his brain hemorrhaged. Thousands of people from around the world prayed for Jay over the last two weeks, but it was his time to meet his Savior face to face.

Jay served Christ tirelessly in missions work in Latin America and Asia for close to 50 years. He also grew up on the mission field as his parents were missionaries with Wycliffe.

Jay: a Wonderful Leader and Friend
From upper left clock wise: Jay with Jim DeWitt and Dave; Jay with Jim, Dave, Dawn, Verne & Alina Marshall; Jay having fun in the white shirt with City to City Latin America colleagues; Jay with his wife, Maureen

I first met Jay in 1985 when I was a young seminary student. I had just returned from my first short-term missions trip to Mexico, and he was recruiting a team of missionaries to go to Mexico City. I was one of many leaders that Jay found. He had an amazing gift of connecting with people. Dawn and I served in Mexico City with Jay and Maureen Kyle in the 90’s. Those were very formative years for us in ministry, and God used Jay and Bill Goodman to build into us and grow us.

Even after we left Mexico City and Mission to the World (MTW) Jay continued to mentor me. He gave me wonderful advice and was always willing to connect me to others that he knew. When Dawn and I were still living in Colorado Springs and looking for another ministry I called Jay. He connected us with Dick Kaufmann and the Harbor Church planting network in San Diego. This opened the door to a great partnership with the Harbor churches, which also launched us in ministry. Dick later told me that “since Jay recommended you I knew that you were someone that we should seek to partner with.”

Jay was also one of the best fund raisers I knew. He gave me some great advice regarding fund raising. His brother, Marc also encouraged me in this area as this gift of raising funds runs in the family.

I feel privileged to be able to say that Jay was my friend. The Lord blessed Dawn and me greatly to have him in our lives, and that’s a big reason why it is so hard to say good-bye to our friend.

Dr. Timothy Keller, former pastor of Redeemer Church in New York City and best selling author, wrote an impressive tribute to Jay. Tim and Jay knew each other for a long time, and Jay worked with Tim through City to City.

Dr. Keller wrote, “Jay worked in Asia and Latin America (two places he had lived) while his co-pioneer Al Barth took Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The remarkable global network of City to City, which has produced hundreds of new urban churches around the world, grew from the personal mission work of Jay and Al. Their accomplishment is astonishing and largely unsung.

Jay was famous for his relational skills. He had a supernatural gift of encouragement, of which everyone in my family at one time or another was a recipient. This week, one of my sons said that Jay was the kindest and most affirming man he’d ever met.” Read rest of the tribute here…

When I think of Jay, I do feel sad that he is no longer with us as he was a great man and a great friend. It feels like he left too suddenly before we were ready to say goodbye. My heart goes out to his family. Dawn and I are praying for them often during these last weeks. Join us in lifting them up in prayer.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to have known Jay and to work alongside him for a number of years. He fought the good fight, and he finished the race. He’s a wonderful example for all of us to follow.

I can’t help but think that after Jay was greeted by his savior and his family that my mom and my daughter were also standing in line to welcome him to heaven. That makes me feel sentimental, but I do give thanks for the wonderful hope that we have beyond this life. I look forward to one day joining them, and when that day arrives, I will thank Jay for being such a great encouragement and help to my family and me!

In His Grip, Dave
P.S. Help take the gospel to the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

Donate Now

BeyondBordersLife.org

Jesus is at Work in Mexicali

Posted: March 14, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Gospel is Bringing Life Transformation on the Border
Pastor Federico & Blanca Muñoz in the middle on the front row with some of the people from their team

Jesus is at work in Mexicali. We give thanks for how the gospel is going forth and transforming lives through the ministry of Pastor Federico Muñoz, his wife Blanca and their team. The Muñoz family has become like family to Dawn and me, and we love the opportunity to partner with them in ministry. I just put together a short video that highlights what God is doing in this capital city in Baja California, Mexico.

Video: New Life in Mexicali
Join us in Prayer for
  • New Contacts
  • More People to Come to Christ
  • Their Leadership Team
  • A place for them to meet for Sunday Services.
Extend your Hands to Help

You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexicali, Mexico, and other cities we are reaching in Mexico and Beyond. We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, La Paz, Colima, Oaxaca, and beyond the borders of Mexico to the Big Island for generations to come. 

We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Planting Churches, Transforming Communities

Posted: March 7, 2022 in Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Video
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Our Desire to see the Kingdom of God Extended
Pastor Mere Godinez & Edna at the church in Mexicali that we built in memory of our daughter, Hannah

Dawn and I moved to the San Diego – Tijuana border in 2012. One of our main desires has been to extend the kingdom through planting new churches. God has far exceeded our expectations!

We’ve been involved in various stages of helping plant 117 churches in Mexico. One of the ways that we’ve done that is through raising the funds to build a church. God has provided for us to build seven churches with our partners Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries). We’ve also aided in building and extending the ministry of another 7 churches. It’s fun to build churches, because we go from the ground up. These churches start with nothing but the land, and end up being the light of Christ that shines brightly in the community.

The Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church
David Jr. and Jonathan  in action (on the bottom left with our friend Jacob Betchol and on bottom right with me)

The last church we built was in July of 2021. We built that church in memory of my parents, Ron and Virginia Diaso. In this case we not only brought the gospel to a new community, but we honored my parents in the process. Both of our boys, David and Jonathan came out to help us build the church. I think David has participated in all of the churches we have built and Jonathan has also been involved in at least 3 of them.

I love seeing all the smiles when we are building the churches

I always enjoy watching the first wall of the church go up. It is an amazing experience! When we start building the foundation has already been laid, and some of the prep work has already been done, so we are able to get the roof up on the first day. When we built the church in memory of my parents we had so many hard working volunteers pitching in that we not only got the walls and roof up, but we began putting up the drywall as well.

After our two weeks of work the church was ready! Wow! It’s truly Amazing to witness. On Sunday, July 18th we held the inaugural service to launch the church.

As I’ve said before, “it never grows old seeing a new church go up.”

Video: Ron & Virginia Diaso Memorial Church

You can read more about the church we built in memory of my parents by clicking here…

Pastor Victor & Sol with their son, Abraham
Pastor Victor & Sol with their son, Abraham are helping to lead the church we started in my parents memory as well as leading another church that we built in Rosarito
Extend Your Hands to Help
Pastor Uriel and his wife Arely who are planting a church that we built in Rosarito, Mexico

You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island! We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, La Paz, Colima, Oaxaca, and Beyond the borders of Mexico to the Big Island for generations to come.

Our familia on the Big Island is still dealing with staggering needs. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Mentoring Leaders

Posted: February 28, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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A Mentor’s Heart
Some of our familia – Pastors we are mentoring on the Big Island

The Lord has given us a heart to mentor and come alongside pastors and leaders. Dawn and I feel the Lord’s pleasure when we encourage others. He’s gifted both of us in this way, and in this season of our lives we’ve seen our influence grow. It’s a privilege for us to be spiritual parents to our friends, that we like to call our familia. God continues to bless with a special relationship with each of them.

Our experiences in life, including how we’ve suffered through our daughter moving to heaven when she was only 22 years old has created a platform for us to minister from. I believe that this is one way the Lord is bringing redemption and restoration to us for what we have suffered.

God Uses Our Experiences – Including Our Pain
Pastor Ivan & Rocio Casados with Dawn & Dave – planting a church in Tijuana (Ivan and Rocio were very close to our daughter, Hannah)

I must admit that I don’t understand fully why our daughter had to die at such a young age. It’s something that I don’t think will ever make sense this side of heaven. Yet, I believe in God’s promises.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭ESV

God has a good plan for my family and me, even when I don’t fully understand. He also has a way of turning evil around. He uses things for our good that were intended by the enemy to harm us. The harm, the evil and the suffering that we experience in life are part of living in a fallen world.

‭‭‬Joseph understood God’s goodness and His plan, and how the Lord has a way of turning things around. He became one of the most powerful people in the world, yet that journey began with him being sold into slavery by his brothers. God worked in Joseph’s heart and gave him a new perspective, which allowed him to say to his brothers.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Genesis‬ ‭50:20‬ ‭NKJV

Dawn and I see how the Lord has used even the difficult things in our lives to increase our faith, and to broaden our influence. We give thanks for God’s mighty work in expanding His kingdom and for allowing us to be a part of that.

Mentoring as Padre and Madre
Dawn and Dave with Jessica and Pastor Eliel (They are planting a church in Oaxaca, Mexico)

We love the relationships that we have with the pastors and leaders that we work with. Many of them call us Padre and Madre (Dad and Mom). This is more common among Latinos, because they are very family oriented. It speaks of more than just a business or working relationship – something much deeper, which is life giving.

Even today one of the leaders that we are partnering with told me that she did not have a good relationship with her dad, because her dad left her family when she was young. She said that the Lord has blessed her through our relationship, and she often calls me Papá or Daddy. Dawn has similar relationships with many of the young men and women that we minister with.

A Mentor Strengthens and Encourages
Pastor Jose Luis and Mariel – they are replanting a church in Colima, Mexico

It’s a unique ministry in a sense, because most pastors don’t have someone to mentor them and because of that they often feel isolated and alone. I love this passage in Acts 14, which speaks of Paul and Barnabas as they are traveling and visiting the churches they helped start. Acts 14:22 says Paul and Barnabus were “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”

That passage speaks to the heart of what Dawn and I do in ministry. We are strengthening and encouraging pastors and leaders. As we do so they are growing in their faith and maturity, so that they are better equipped to lead. It’s not been easy to lead and plant churches especially during these last two years. The COVID crisis which we’ve all grown tired of by now has increased the challenges for leaders and ministries.

We give thanks to the Lord for using our gifts and experiences in these ways. It is a privilege for us to serve to Lord to strengthen and better equip others.

Join us in Prayer
Dave & Dawn with the Muñoz family – front row: Junior and Paola; back row: Damaris, Dave, Daniel, Federico, Blanca, David, Dawn.
Pastor Federico and his wife Blanca are planting a church in Mexicali, Mexico

We appreciate your prayers for us, as we mentor the pastors and leaders we are partnering with. Pray that the Lord’s kingdom will be expanded through these relationships.

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Miraculous Multiplication

Posted: February 7, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is Expanding His Church
Joy filled churches on the Big Island

In my last post I mentioned that Dawn and I are in awe of how the Lord is growing the church on the Big Island. The church is multiplying at such a rate in some parts of the Big Island that it’s hard to fathom that it can be true. In all our years of ministry, over 30 years, we’ve never experienced this kind of breakthrough before!

Last year in 2021 almost 13,000 people came to Christ. The churches we are partnering with reported a total of 12,782 people responding to the gospel message. The pastors that we partner with, our familia always surprise us with their amazing faith, perseverance and dedication. They serve under some of the most difficult circumstances.

Growth in the Midst of Trials and Difficulties
One of the families we are helping

One of the pastors we work with Ronaldo sent me a message recently. He said, “in these days on the Big Island it is very difficult to minister in the depressing and discouraging conditions that we are experiencing. We are praying for the strength and courage to continue to minister in adversity, poverty and discouragement. In the power of the gospel and in the power of the Holy Spirit we can preach the Word and encourage the brothers and sisters to live for the glory of God and to fight for the extension of the kingdom of God. We always appreciate your prayers, and we thank you for the love that unites us.”

Ronaldo’s comments sheds some light on the difficult circumstances that our familia is enduring. It’s sad to think about what they are growing through. Our love for them motivates us to encourage them and to raise funds so that we can aid them as they live and minister under these trying conditions.

Obviously there are some tremendous challenges that our pastors and their families are facing. I realize that the church often grows under pressure, yet I’m still amazed by the commitment of our familia to continue.

Many are Responding to the Gospel!
Our familia has a tremendous commitment to pray with fervor

The pastors that we are working most closely with reported that they shared the gospel with 23,589 people and that 12,782 came to Christ in 2021. 98 new churches were started last year, and they have a total of at least 314 churches. We sent aid that helped support 887 people, on a monthly basis. We also were able to raise funds to help buy music equipment, mattresses, a roof, an air conditioner, a bicycle, building materials to help pastoral families and expand ministries.

It brings tears to my eyes when I think of what our familia has to suffer through. I also tear up when I think of God’s goodness to provide through you so that we can send monthly aid to these dear friends who have become like family. It was almost two years ago when COVID began, and Dawn and I felt like we had to do something. We needed to raise funds so that we could help these families. I originally thought we would only need to help them in this way for a few months, but the need has actually grown over these last two years.

On the positive side the gospel ministry is also expanding. It’s just amazing to think about almost 13,000 people coming to Christ in one year. I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in 2022!

We’ve prayed for a move of God like this for a long time. It’s wonderful to see Jesus respond to our petitions. We would love to see this type of fruit in all the places we are working in!

Extend Your Hands to Help!
Some of the families that have received aid

Your prayers and your financial gifts are pivotal and they are making a huge difference in the lives of these families. We’d like to ask you to extend your hands to help those in need. You play an important part in seeing the extension of the kingdom of God in Mexico and on the Big Island!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBorderLife.org

Awestruck by the Growth of the Church

Posted: January 31, 2022 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Announcing a Website Upgrade in Progress
Dave and Dawn thankful for the Lord’s Good Work and Many Blessings!

It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of January. It seems like just a few days ago the new year was starting!

I just realized that this month marks 11 years since I began this website/blog. That’s amazing!

I’m in the process of giving my website an upgrade, which has made it harder to post anything lately. In the near future, this site will look different. I believe you will enjoy the changes. Over the last few days if you’ve tried to access this site you may have received a message saying that it was a private site, and I apologize for that. There also may be a few other bugs as we work on the upgrade. Thanks for your patience.

In Awe of God’s Goodness and the Growth of the Church
Pastor Esteban and Cinthya Martinez leading the new church in Rosarito, Mexico

Today I’d like to share a video that highlights some of the ways the Lord blessed us in 2021. Last year wasn’t an easy year for many of us. We hoped for better, but the year presented a number of challenges. Despite these challenges the church grew on the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

Dawn and I are in awe of how the Lord is growing the church on the Big Island. The church is growing by so much in some areas, that it is hard to believe what is happening. We are so impressed by the faithfulness of our God, and the commitment and dedication of our familia. In my next post I would like share about how more than 12,000 people came to Christ this last 2021.

Here’s a link to a testimony from Pastor Omar that we think you will enjoy as he shares about what God is doing on the Big Island.

The church didn’t grow at the same pace in Mexico, but it is growing. In this video I share more about the church that we built and helped plant in Rosarito Mexico, as well what God is doing on the Big Island.

Video Highlights of Ministry from 2021
Extend Your Hands to Help

Dawn and I appreciate you and the pivotal role you play through your prayers and financial gifts. You are helping extend the loving arms of the Father to bring the living water, the spring of eternal life to the Border, the Baja and Beyond!

We’d like to ask you to prayerfully consider joining us this year in prayer and through a financial gift to support church planting in Mexico and on the Big Island.

Your gift will help us to accomplish the God given vision to impact, Tijuana, Colima, Mexicali, Oaxaca, the Big Island and Beyond for generations to come. Our familia on the Big Island is still dealing with staggering needs. Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. Not only is there a lack of food and basic goods, but the prices are skyrocketing and they are having to stand in long lines for hours at a time to get the little food that is available. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

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