Posts Tagged ‘Daniel Nunez’

The Band of Brothers (Hermanos)!

Posted: May 29, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Godly Men on the Border!
The group of pastors and leaders in San Antonio de las Minas

These are some of the pastors that serve with Lo Mejor del Trigo

The Lord has richly blessed me with a number of godly men that I serve with on the border. Each week I connect with Mexican pastors. My hope and desire is that I can be a support and an encouragement to them as they lead in the churches they minister in.

I’ve grown to love these men. They are truly hermanos in Christ!

God’s Chosen Ministers
Pastor Daniel Nuñez and Victor Bravo with Dave

Pastor Daniel Nuñez the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo and Victor Bravo (in the middle), one of our newest church planters with Dave.

I met the leader of Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT), Pastor Daniel Nuñez about 5 years ago. The Lord has given us some wonderful opportunities to minister together, and as we have seen God move the Lord has also deepened our friendship. Daniel has opened the door for me to get to know the 25 plus pastors that work with LMT.

The Lord is also opening doors and giving me opportunities to get to know and grown closer to the pastors from the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico.

They too are a great group of leaders, who love the Lord. We are beginning to work on some exciting new projects!

With both of these groups we are seeing God do a marvelous work through the new churches and the expansion and outreach of the church.

I give thanks to the Lord for this band of brothers!

Pastors – My Faithful Brothers
The same creative and powerful God who made the beauty of the Sunset cares for you and me!

The same creative and powerful God who made the beauty of the Sunset is working in powerful ways on the Border!

Some of the pastors I’ve grown especially close to. I’ve come to realize as I seek to minister to them and to encourage them in their work that they minister to me as much if not more. It’s such a rich and wonderful blessing.

If you’ve followed our journey you know that our family has been going through some deep waters. These guys and their churches have stood with us. Almost daily I get a note or a phone call from one of them telling me they are praying for us. Some of them are even leading their churches through a season of prayer and fasting for our family.

That is very humbling to realize they love and care for us so much and it truly lifts us up.

Join Us In Prayer!

I do pray that I can be even somewhat as encouraging to them as they have been to us. We join hands and come together and pray that the Lord might have compassion, that the Lord might move in our midst, so we see his Spirit going before us and preparing the way. O Lord, do a mighty work. Open the hearts of men and women as the gospel goes forth.

Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Homes, Medicine and Interns in TJ

Posted: June 28, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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The church group with Jesus and his family with the completed home in the background

The church group with Jesus and his family with the completed home in the background

A New Home for the Doctor

One of the highlights this week was witnessing the completion and dedication of the home-built for a doctor that ministers with my friend, Daniel Nuñez and Lo Mejor del Trigo.

It may be a little corny, but you could say a new home is just what the doctor ordered! 😉

The Value of Interns

Our summer intern, Nicole Silva worked with the church from Ohio that came down to build the house. One of the positives for us when we have summer interns is that it enables us to extend our reach. Nicole is gaining some valuable ministry experience and she is helping us to further our relationship with our ministry partners.

Dawn and I enjoy being able to work with interns. We like the opportunity it gives us to build into their lives and to give them new experiences in ministry. Our hope is that these experiences will have a life lasting impact.

One of our hopes and prayers is for the Lord to grow our intern program over the years.

Nicole wasn’t able to be involved in building the home for the doctor for the whole week, but she was able to help them. She met some people from a different place, and ministered alongside them. She also touched the lives of some of the Mexican children that showed up while they were working on the project.

Joy in Medical Missions
Jesus and Dulce and their family inside their new home

Jesus and Dulce and their family inside their new home

What a joy to see the smile on the faces of the families that are in need that we build homes for. The awesome thing about this particular build is that Jesus is a doctor and he plans on helping Lo Mejor del Trigo with their outreach in the community. There are many needs the people have, and often they are unable to pay for the medical attention that they need.

You might remember last week we held a large medical clinic with a number of doctors, nurses and dentists coming down from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego. I loved playing a part of that outreach. Many people come into the church through medical ministries.

We pray that this ministry will grow. I’m in conversation with two other churches right now that have an interest in bringing down medical professionals to minister in Tijuana.

One of the benefits about having Jesus and his family in a community near El Niño is that they will be continually connecting with the people. They will be able to love and minister to the people. Jesus’ wife, is named, Dulce, which means sweet. We pray that the sweetest of Christ and the gospel will emanate from this family and their ministry to the people.

Pray with the us that the Lord will continue to increase our borders as the gospel goes forth!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

It Starts with Vision: A New Church

Posted: October 4, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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A New Church in Valle Verde
Dave with Pastor Ivan, Pastor Jose Luis and Pastor Daniel Nuñez

Dave with Pastor Ivan, Pastor Jose Luis and Pastor Daniel Nuñez on the new church plant site

Earlier this week I met with Daniel Nuñez in Tijuana, and we visited a new site for a church plant. The site is in an area of the city called Valle de Verde, which means Green Valley. It’s not very green now ;).

We also met with the pastor that is already working on starting up this new work. Pastor Ivan Casados and his wife, Rocio. Pastor Ivan has started up a small group that will be the committed core for this church. A number of these people a from an area nearby called, Rivera del Bosque, which means brook of the forest, so they’d like to call the church Lo Mejor del Trigo – Rivera del Bosque.

I love the passion that Daniel and pastors he’s working with have for reaching lost people and starting churches to minister to them all throughout the city.

Praying for an Improved System for Church Planting

Daniel and I just came back from a vision trip to Monterrey, Mexico. We were both very encouraged to see the system that the Center for Church Planting has in place. They are doing a great job at assessing, coaching and training their church planters. We’d love to develop a stronger system to sustain the movement of church planting on the border.

Join Us in Prayer for This New Work
Pastor Ivan Casados with the land for the new church site behind him

Pastor Ivan Casados with the land for the new church site behind him

While we were at the church planting site, we stopped to take some time to pray. We do want to lift up this new work, and ask the Lord to go before Pastor Ivan and his wife, Rocio to see many won to Christ and a strong church planted in the community of Valle Verde. O that this church would be a city set on a hill for this community!

Pray with us that God will work powerfully through Ivan and Rocio and all those involved in this project.

We also need wisdom as we work on bringing all the loose parts together to get this off the ground. Lord, enable us to do a better job of training and caring for our pastors, so we can do a better job of loving the city!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Vision to Reach Northwestern Mexico

Posted: September 23, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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A Church Planting Network in Mexico
Monterrey, Mexico

Monterrey, Mexico

God opened my eyes even wider as I was challenged to consider working with others to reach Northwestern Mexico for Christ. I found myself feeling encouraged and at times overwhelmed.

I felt overwhelmed, when I got my eyes off of the cross, and focused on my own efforts, and how I would be able to accomplish the task of seeing the gospel extend to other parts of Mexico. I was encouraged as I considered joining with others, and an already strong church planting network that is based in Monterrey, Mexico.

The Church Planting Center

The Centro para la Plantación de Iglesias (Church Planting Center) is a ministry of Mission to the World (MTW). Dawn and I played a small part in the beginnings of this effort. We served in Mexico City when the seeds for this work were being sown.

Not everything that MTW has done in Mexico has borne fruit, so it’s thrilling to see when God does put his finger of blessing on a work.

Connecting Movement Leaders
Andres Garza and Daniel Nuñez chatting over a wonderful Mexican meal

Andres Garza and Daniel Nuñez chatting over a wonderful Mexican meal

One of the most exciting things for me on this weekend was that I was able to introduce Daniel Nuñez from Tijuana and a movement leader in his own right to the group here. I’m not sure what God will do as a result of the connection that Daniel was able to make with Andres Garza, who leads the Church Planting Center, but it’s fun to watch.

I enjoy dreaming about what might be. What could be! That’s at least part of what vision is all about.

I dream of a day when San Diego and Tijuana will be an even bigger hub for the extension of God’s kingdom on the border, and in northwestern Mexico.

Andres Garza sharing about the dream of MTW for northern Mexico

Andres Garza sharing about the dream of MTW for northern Mexico

I learned this weekend that 96% of the Presbyterian churches in Mexico are in the southern Mexico. There is a huge need for the church to grow and be strengthened in northern Mexico, and even more so in the northwest.

Keep Praying

I believe that part of the reason the Lord is increasing our vision and in doing so our boundaries is because of so many of you lifting us up in prayer.

Tomorrow I leave for some meetings in the La Paz, Baja California where we will discuss the opening of a new church planting field in that city. La Paz is the capital of Lower Baja California, and we don’t have any churches there. It’s a strategic city with a huge need. Join us in prayer that the Lord will go before us and bless our time in La Paz.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Related articles

Baseball & Church Planting

Posted: August 9, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Dreaming About Church Expansion
The meeting with church planters and leaders

The meeting with church planters and leaders

This week I went around Tijuana with Daniel Nuñez and a new friend, JD Pearring looking at some of the new church plants, and dreaming about the future. There is some land for sale that could make for a good site for the next church plant.

One of the things I love about Daniel is that he is always looking to grow the church. His goal is to see 50 churches started in 20 years. Lo Mejor del Trigo already has 20 churches, so the Lord is blessing and the churches are growing.

JD works with Transformation Ministries and they have a heart to see the kingdom expanded through church planting and church revitalization. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet him, and learn more about the ministry that he is associated with.

Bringing Two of My Loves Together
Watching the game with Daniel Nuñez, JD Pearring and some of the other guys

Watching the game with Daniel Nuñez, JD Pearring and some of the other guys

Daniel and JD invited me to go to a meeting at Petco Park for church planters, and then to watch a game after. I didn’t need my arm twisted to accept that invite.

There were a number of pastors and leaders from California and Tijuana at the meeting. I loved meeting and interacting with these men and women who have such a heart for seeing the kingdom of God expanded on earth as it is in heaven.

One of my loves apart from church planting is baseball, so it was a great treat to have some fun and interact with the guys at the ballpark!

I enjoy interacting with other people who are passionate about the church. I feel like I always come away enriched, and often I even get a few new ideas. There usually are some opportunities to minister together in the future through these connections. I believe that God loves it when different, but like-minded ministries come together for the good of the city.

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Lord, thank you so much for kingdom connections, and for your heart to see the church built up. I pray that we will see a renewed city and a revived border as we work together for the kingdom. Please guide and lead us along the way. Bring the right people to join us in this effort!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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
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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

A Heart to Strengthen Pastors

Posted: November 9, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Daniel Nuñez with the pastors of Lo Mejor Del Trigo

Daniel Nuñez with the pastors of Lo Mejor Del Trigo

In one of my last post I wrote about how great it was to work on and complete the church building in eastern Tijuana. Another amazing thing was to meet with the 17 pastors of the Lo Mejor Del Trigo (The Best of the Wheat) churches.

Daniel Nuñez has become a great friend and partner in ministry. He leads the Lo Mejor Del Trigo movement in Tijuana. Daniel has a vision to plant 50 churches in 20 years. The Lord has blessed Daniel and given him 17 churches so far!

On Saturday morning they had their monthly pastors meeting. Daniel invited me to meet the pastors.

I feel privileged to connect with these pastors, and to begin looking for ways I can be a resource to them. I’m hoping that through my relationship with them it will strengthen them, encourage them and help them and their churches to be more effective in ministry. We will look for ways to connect them with some of the people and resources that Harbor and other churches have.

“O Lord, give me wisdom so that I can be used of you to strengthen and encourage them. I pray that through our relationship and connections we can see the kingdom of God expanded on the earth. Lord, shower us with your rich and powerful blessings!”

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Gospel Goes Forth in Tijuana!

Posted: November 5, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Pastor Rodrigo & Daniel Nuñez leading the new church

Pastor Rodrigo & Pastor Daniel Nuñez leading the new church

Yesterday Lo Mejor Del Trigo (LMT) launched a new church plant in the neighborhood of Pipila. Pipila is in eastern Tijuana.

Harbor helped build the church. God gave us the opportunity to go out into the community to invite people to come and see. Then we shared testimonies and a short gospel presentation. It was a privilege to be a part of this new work, and to see the Lord’s Spirit moving in this place.

It was also such a blessing to work with so many who wanted to help build this church!

Pastor Rodrigo led the first service yesterday. A number of people came to celebrate. It’s so encouraging to see the gospel going forth in this community. The new birth of a church. We pray that the church will help to bring about spiritual, cultural and social renewal to the community of Pipila.

The church is full for it's inaugural celebration service!

The church is full for it’s inaugural celebration service!

Thanks for being a part of the expansion of the kingdom of God in TJ. The Lord uses your prayer and support to strengthen and to move this ministry forward. Yet in many ways we know the battle is just beginning, so we must not grow weary in doing good for God’s glory!

The church is built on the rock, which is Christ Jesus our Lord. He is our hope. He is the one we lift up high and proclaim to the nations. Amen and Amen!

In His Grip

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Jesus Shines Brightly in Tijuana!

Posted: October 31, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Phases of Church building

Phases of Church building

Jesus shines brightly as the church grows and the gospel goes forth in Tijuana!

This last Saturday a number of people and ministries came together to build a church in eastern Tijuana, in an area called Pipila. My son, David Diaso Jr., and I went down with a group of friends from Harbor Church. We built the church for the ministry of “Lo Mejor Del Trigo,” (The Best of the Wheat). Baja Christian Ministries coordinated the building of the church.

When we lived in Mexico City we helped a number of churches build their church buildings. We loved it then, and we love it now! This was different from our experiences in Mexico City, in that through the system we use here we are able to build the church over two weekends.

This last weekend we got the walls and roof up, and started some of the electrical work. This coming Saturday we will work on finishing up the inside of the church, and painting. We will also help the church launch their outreach in the community.

Pastor Rodrigo with his wife, Nancy and their children

Pastor Rodrigo with his wife, Nancy and their children

Then this Sunday afternoon at 3 PM the church will hold their first service. Pastor Rodrigo will lead the ministry at the church.

It’s a different way of doing ministry and outreach than I’ve done before, but the Lord is using it in a mighty way. This is the 16th or 17th church (I have a hard time keeping up!) that Daniel Nuñez has started. His vision is to start 50 churches in 20 years.

Pray with us that the Lord will not only allow him to reach this God-given vision, but to exceed it! Pray as well for our safety and the Lord’s rich blessing as we head down again this weekend.

David Jr., Issaid Arechiga and I will be going into TJ on Friday night to meet with the Lo Mejor Del Trigo pastors for their monthly meeting. The rest of the group will join us Saturday morning.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A New Church is Born!

Posted: October 27, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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A group of us at the new church plant site in eastern Tijuana

A group of us at the new church plant site in eastern Tijuana – in about a week there will be a church on this site!

Saturday morning we will head down to eastern Tijuana to start phase one of building a new church!

I’m thrilled to be a part of this! It’s an added bonus that my oldest son, David Jr. will be joining us.

Please be in prayer for us as we head across the border at 8:30 AM with 25 people from the Harbor Church Network. It should be a good time. Pray for our safety, and that we work in a unified fashion as we seek to present the gospel in word and deed.

We will be working with Daniel Nuñez and Lo Mejor del Trigo. I’m looking forward to connecting with the people and meeting the pastor of this church site.

Thanks so much for encouraging us and standing with us in prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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