Posts Tagged ‘Bill Yarbrough’

Does He Love Me When I Rest?

Posted: October 29, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , ,
6
Learn to Rest in the Lord
Bill Yarbrough with Dave and Jim DeWitt at the border crossing in Mexico

Bill Yarbrough with Dave and Jim DeWitt at the border crossing in Mexico

I thank the Lord that he loves me even when I rest. For some reason grasping this concept is like trying to catch a slippery fish. This is true for me. What has your experience been?

Our Latin American director for Mission to the World (MTW), Bill Yarbrough has been mentoring me in growing in my inner life. In this process he’s encouraged me to stop and to create space and a rhythm in my life that helps me to grow closer to the Father. Bill’s not just a boss, but a friend!

Bill asked me about my sabbath rest. As I reflected on that I realized that my rest isn’t as rich as it could be. When I expressed my struggle to Bill he reminded me that I am loved even when I rest.

How Do I Block Out All the Noise?

I think I get that at least to some degree, and it’s not like I don’t rest physically. The trouble is when I seek rest for my soul, spiritual rest there are so many things that begin to crowd out the quiet. I start worrying about what I have to do today, or about a ministry situation that isn’t going the way I would like it to go.

I feel like this pattern is a lot like what Martha struggled with when Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing to sit at his feet. I want to become more like Mary and less like Martha.

Church planters gathering

Church planters gathering

The last two days I’ve been in some invigorating meetings with church planters from around the U.S. and Mexico. Three of the guys that shared spoke about the importance of maintaining our intimacy with Jesus. Two of the pastors said that they felt like they were so focused on the ministry that their relationship with the Lord had waned. They had to get alone with God and restore their first love.

Unfortunately, I found that I could relate to them.

There’s so much to do, so much noise, so many distractions. 

Taken from Sunset Cliffs in San Diego

Taken from Sunset Cliffs in San Diego

I don’t know how this is for you, but I think it is common in our culture whether you are serving in vocational ministry or not. We are a busy people. We don’t like to be still. Yet that’s what the Lord calls us to.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  – Psalm 46:10

I’d appreciate your prayers for my family and for me that we will grow in and maintain an intimate relationship with our Abba, Father. Maybe you should pray for yourself in a similar way. We can’t take a break from growing deeper with Jesus. His mercies are new every morning. Our soul cries out and we long to know him better!

I’d love to hear from you. What have you found that has helped you to maintain a close and intimate walk with the Father?

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Gospel Advance in TJ!

Posted: June 6, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , ,
7
God Continues to Advance the Gospel in TJ
Abraham & Martha, Dawn, Cristina & Cesar (the pastors and their wives that Dawn and Dave were with this week)

Abraham & Martha, Dawn, Cristina & Cesar (the pastors and their wives that Dawn and Dave were with this week)

Dawn and I spent a wonderful afternoon on Tuesday with some pastor friends and their wives. It was wonderful, because we were able to encourage one another. We laughed. We shared heart to heart. We prayed for one another.

Even pastors need to be reminded of the gospel and grace. As Jack Miller and others have stated, “we need to preach the gospel to ourselves.” Luther said, “we need to the beat the gospel into our heads.” Ministry can bring you to your knees, but God and the gospel lifts us up in due time. For some reason, we have a short memory and we tend to forget how desperately we need Christ and the gospel of our risen savior.

Christ-centered Preaching

In early May, Bill Yarbrough, Mission to the World’s Latin American International Director came to the border. While he was with us he was able to share with a number of pastors from the Lo Mejor del Trigo movement about Christ-centered preaching. Some of the guys told me they wanted more of the message of grace. Bill and I thought it would be helpful if we could encourage them to think through how to preach the gospel more powerfully in their churches.

I’ve been following up with the pastors. We are beginning to study together some of the principles of Christ-centered preaching. I can’t wait to see what changes this will bring to the pastors and those in their congregations.

Please Join us in Prayer

I believe as we move forward with the gospel that Satan seeks to disrupt and attack what we are doing, so we need major prayer. Pray that Christ will be lifted up in all that we do. Pray that God will bless and that the gospel will be powerfully proclaimed in San Diego and Tijuana as we minister on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Related articles

Good News for the Needy in TJ!

Posted: December 19, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, San Diego, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
6
Bill Yarbrough Preaching at Lo Mejor Del Trigo

Bill Yarbrough Preaching at Lo Mejor Del Trigo

Despite waiting 5+ hours in line to cross the border on Sunday, we had a wonderful time of ministry in Tijuana!

Bill Yarbrough is a great friend and champion of ours. Did I mention he’s also our boss. Bill along with his wife, Sue and daughter, Elle spent the weekend with us. On Sunday Bill accompanied my son, Jon and me down to Tijuana.

Last year Bill came down and led a Living in Grace conference with Daniel Nuñez and Lo Mejor Del Trigo. The church loved it. Unfortunately, many Mexican Christians struggle with living a moralistic, legalistic Christianity. Of course, this is not a problem in the U.S., ha ha ;).

The Lord used the themes of grace to encourage and strengthen the faith of our Mexican friends. I remember the people laughing as Bill shared some of the things we do in the church to act like we are “good” christians. The focus tends to be on the outward appearance rather than on our heart. The church resonated with this, but Daniel admitted it takes time for people to change.

Good things happened after the conference. Those in the church extended grace to him and his family when they experienced a family crisis. Wow! God’s timing is amazing. I may share more specifics about this testimony of God’s grace in a future post. The fact is we are all growing in grace, and we all desperately need to know and experience the love of God and his redeeming grace.

Here’s one of my favorite quotes that Bill shared that I’ve heard from others as well.

“The good news is that you are worse off than you can ever imagine. The greater good news is you are more loved than you ever dared to imagine.”

Dave addressing the church

Dave addressing the church

God’s grace is greater than all our sin. Live and grow deeply in this truth.

On Sunday Bill followed up on these truths. The Lord is using events like this to strengthen our relationship with Daniel Nuñez and the people in his movement. I’m so encouraged by how the Lord is moving on the border. The gospel does change everything.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

My Last Post of 2011 – Praising the Lord for His Many Blessings!

Posted: December 31, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Journey, Ministry
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
2
Happy New Year from the Diaso family

Happy New Year from the Diaso family

This is my last post for 2011. Hard to believe another year has passed us by. I started this blog in January of 2011. At first I was fearful that I would be able to keep up with it, or that I would enjoy it. The blog itself has been a huge blessing, as it allows us to let people know what is going on in our life and ministry. It is also great that our friends can interact with us through the blog. I thank the Lord for our blog: DiasoLifeontheBorder.org.

I also thank the Lord for the many friends that he has given us to encourage us along the way. I wrote some posts about our champions. And more champions!

Just a couple of days ago I got together for coffee with one of my champions, John McKeever. John strengthens me as he gives me perspective. He helps me to remember how far we have come. Believe it or not sometimes I do get down. I think about all we have left to do rather than what God has already done. John was one of the friends that encouraged me to start my blog, and to work on my email prayer updates. Thank you John!

Dawn and I have a number of champions, and by mentioning a few I realize that I’m leaving out a number of people who have spurred us on. I’m grateful for all of our champions. David Quintanar, who I wrote about earlier in the year has been a huge encouragement to me. Dick Gascho, who’s been a great friend and coach to me over the last few years. He also helps me to keep things in perspective, and to work on setting achievable goals. Dawn also has some great friends that come alongside her. Then there are many families that hearten us along the way. Thanks to all of you who have stood with us, strengthened us, encouraged us, motivated us, cheered us on and believed in us during this long journey!

David, Jr., Dave, Daniel, Bill and Ray

Another huge ministry highlight for us in 2011 was the Living in Grace conference we held in Tijuana in November. More people looked at our blog on the day we launched our ministry in Tijuana than any day of the year. It was so good to have my friend and colleague, Bill Yarbrough with us leading the conference. It was wonderful to hook up with Daniel Nuñez and the great people he has connected with in his ministry. I enjoyed being able to have my son, David Jr. join us for part of the conference. A good friend and co-worker, Jim DeWitt flew in for the conference, and to learn more about our ministry on the border. BEAMM teammate and friend, Ray Call helped out. We had a great group.

I pray this will be the first of many such ministry events where we will see the gospel go forth, and be a blessing to other ministries. I’m so encouraged by Daniel Nuñez. He’s a gifted and godly leader that’s doing a great work in TJ.

Dawn and I appreciate your prayers for David Jr. We learned on Friday that he will need surgery for a torn meniscus. Now we have to figure out when and where. He leaves for college on January 9. Never a dull moment with our family.

Thank you so much for loving us, and for taking an interest in our lives and our ministry. It’s been a great year! I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in 2012. Happy New Year!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

The Gospel Goes Forth in TJ!

Posted: November 11, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
Tags: , , , , ,
1

Daniel Nuñez leading the church

It was apparent that many were praying last weekend, as we held the Living in Grace conference in Tijuana with the church, Lo Mejor del Trigo. The Calls had some major car issues before the event started, which had me a little nervous, since we were dependent on them for transportation. It should be no surprise that when we serve the Lord, that our enemy would want to discourage us, and attack us. I’ve often seen that he will use things like cars, or other mechanical items to prevent an important ministry event from taking place. But our God is greater than our enemy!

The Lord came through as He always does. A church took care of the Calls while they were stranded in Albuquerque, and they got their van fixed just in time to make it back to the border to help out. Praise the Lord for meeting their need, which helped tremendously with our conference.

I sensed the Lord’s presence as we were with Daniel Nuñez, and his church, Lo Mejor del Trigo. The people in the church responded well to Bill Yarbrough’s teaching on grace. Daniel told me that the people won’t change overnight, but it was a needed message. A number of people in the church struggle with adding things to the gospel. This is a common problem that churches face on both sides of the border. One of the difficulties in regards to adding things to the gospel is that you can never do enough, and you will eventually burn out. It is Christ alone that saves us, and the Holy Spirit sustains us as we walk this journey of faith. You can read more about the conference here: day 1, day 2, day 3.

Daniel looks on as a woman in the church gives testimony to God's powerful work in her life

Jesus speaks of the Word of God as being seed that is sown. I pray for fertile soil, where this seed will germinate and bear much fruit.

Daniel is doing a great work. It’s exciting to see all the workers he is training up to serve, and to lead in the church. He has been able to plant 12 churches in six years, and he has a goal to plant 50 churches in twenty years. I pray that he not only reaches this goal, but exceeds it. I pray that it will be a gospel centered movement. As this movement grows may they have a deep and enduring impact on Tijuana and beyond.

The Lord truly blessed our ministry launch in TJ, and I pray this is only the beginning of seeing His powerful work as the gospel goes forth on the border!

I would appreciate your prayers as I’m traveling now on the East Coast. I will be in Lancaster, PA this weekend, and in Baltimore, Gaithersburg and Annapolis next week.

In His Grip, Dave Diaso

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

God’s Amazing Grace in TJ!

Posted: November 6, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
Tags: , , , ,
1

David, Jr., Dave, Daniel, Bill and Ray

Bill Yarbrough has done an outstanding job leading Living in Grace in Tijuana with our friend, Daniel Nunez. The first night we had a great group. As Bill began to share about how helpless we are to save ourselves, and our complete dependence on the Lord for our growth in Christ, they slowly got on board. At first, it seemed like they were wondering where he was coming from, but as he shared more they began to warm up, and become more engaged.

We had a real downpour on Friday, so we had to cancel the event that was planned for Friday night. The church we were going to meet at required people to drive through mud, and huge puddles. This meant that the people would not show up.

On Saturday things dried up some, although it was still hard to get to the church we made it. The group on Saturday was comprised of a number of pastors and their spouses. It was thrilling to see their enthusiasm to come and learn. All of these pastors have at least one other job to help sustain himself. Their commitment to serve the Lord is laudable.

Bill, Dave and Jim crossing back into the USA on foot

We have one day to go, Sunday. We are excited to meet with our dear brothers again. It is so encouraging to see people begin to get the concepts of grace. It’s been quite an experience crossing back and forth across the border. It’s giving us a glimpse of what ministry here might look like.

Thanks for praying. We do sense the presence of your prayer. God indeed is moving in the hearts of men and women on the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Wow! What a great beginning in TJ!

Posted: November 4, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners
Tags: , ,
3

Crossing the Border into Tijuana

We are off to a great start! Bill Yarbrough did a great job presenting our need for grace. He really connected with those that came, and we had a good group. The people that came got the message, and they were very encouraged by it. Thanks so much for praying, as I sensed God’s leading, and His presence.

There is a sense in which grace is such a basic Christian concept, and yet it is also profound. It is not always easy to fully grasp, and live out. One of my friends with Mission to the World has described it as trying to catch a fish with your bare hands. Even when you are holding it, it tends to slip away. We are so prone to either go towards gritting our teeth, and trying harder or just giving in, and doing what we desire. We either add things to the gospel, or we become overly liberal with our freedoms. Neither one of these are healthy nor good choices. We need to look to Christ and Him alone, not only for our salvation, but for our daily walk with Him. We are powerless to live the Christian life in our own strength.

Bill Yarbrough presenting the gospel of grace

I’m excited that the conference is off to such a good start. Now I’m looking forward to continuing, and seeing the Lord work. We will go into Tijuana again on Friday, and stay overnight. The conference continues all morning on Saturday. Then on Sunday we conclude with Sunday worship, and we will wrap up the conference on living in grace.

Continue to pray for the Lord’s protection, and His rich and powerful blessing.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Ministry Launch in TJ!

Posted: November 3, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry Partners, Prayer
Tags: , , , , ,
3

Dave with Daniel Nunez

I feel like a kid on Christmas morning today! We are launching our first ministry event in Tijuana. It’s the first big thing we are doing in ministry on the border. Bill Yarbrough, who is MTW’s Latin American director is flying in to lead the conference. Bill was a missionary in Mexico for a number of years before taking on his present position.

We are partnering with Daniel Nunez, and his church planting movement, “Lo Mejor Del Trigo,” to put this event on. I have some video of Daniel at the bottom of the ministry partners page of this blog.

When I planned this event about six months ago, I was sure we’d already be living here. It’s created some additional challenges pulling this off, since we haven’t moved yet, but we do have a place to stay, and we have transportation, so the Lord is making it work.

I feel a little apprehensive since this is our first big event, and I haven’t been able to spend much time in Tijuana yet. I covet your prayers today for peace, safety, and that as the gospel goes forth that it will bring change to people’s hearts and lives. Also that our ministry will be strengthened through this, and get off to a good start!

Jim DeWitt, Dawn and Dave with Juan Arjona

Yesterday, Dawn, Hannah, Jim DeWitt and I were able to meet with Juan Arjona, who’s planting a church in Escondido. It was great to be able to visit with him, and encourage him. We do pray that his ministry will grow, and be strengthened.

I especially appreciate your prayers for us today as we go to Tijuana! Lord, please do grant us your rich blessing, and protect us.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Special Announcement – A New Page!

Posted: August 1, 2011 in Bright Spots on the Border, Ministry, Ministry Partners
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
2

Stephen & Bradford Phelan from Harbor Mid City

I’ve just created a new page on our site called, Ministry Partners! We’ve received a number of positive comments about the ministries that we are partnering with, so I wanted to make it easier for people to learn more about those ministries. Habor Mid-City’s video clip about their story has gotten a lot of people excited about what we are doing. It gives a great picture of what the Lord is doing on the Border, and what we are praying for and envision seeing in the future. One of our prayer and financial supporters who’s been with us for almost 20 years told me recently, it encouraged him and got him excited to hear about what we are doing, and to learn more about the ministries that we are partnering with.

I frequently find myself directing people to Harbor Mid-City’s video clip. Now you can just go directly to the Ministry Partners page on our blog site, and the video clip is right there. You will want to check it out if you haven’t seen it yet.

I also posted a video interview that I did with Daniel Nunez. Daniel is extremely gifted, and the Lord is using him in some amazing ways as he leads a church planting movement in Tijuana. We are going to provide a conference called, “Living in Grace” in November for those in Daniel’s churches. It’s a way for us to encourage those he is ministering to, and to strengthen them.

Dave with Daniel Nunez

The Living in Grace conference focuses on the importance of our living as sons and daughters of God rather than as orphans. We believe as people grow in their understanding of who they are in Christ it will radically change the way they live. Bill Yarbrough, Mission to the World’s, International Director for Latin America and Africa will be leading the conference. Bill served as a missionary in Mexico before assuming his present position with MTW. He speaks Spanish, and has a great understanding of  Mexico and the people of Mexico. Bill just informed me he is going to bring Andres Garza with him. Andres is MTW’s movement leader for church planting in Monterrey, Mexico. He is a real visionary leader. We want to be able to learn from each other as much as possible, and look at how we can encourage one another in reaching Mexico and the Border for Christ.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org