Posts Tagged ‘Matthew 9’

An Answer to Prayer on the Border!

Posted: May 5, 2018 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Discovery Center in TJ
Our fun group from the Discovery Center in Tijuana (Centro de Descubrimiento in Spanish)

Our fun group from the Discovery Center in Tijuana (Centro de Descubrimiento in Spanish)

Jesus asked us to pray for more workers in Matthew 9:37 & 38. I participated in a Discovery Center in Tijuana this week. The Discovery Center is designed to evaluate people who are interested in planting churches. You could say that these people are the answer to what Jesus asked us to pray for.

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37-38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It’s exciting to be part of an answer to prayer. At this particular Discovery Center, there were four couples that we were evaluating. I love hearing their testimonies. It’s a joy to get to know them and learn how God has been working in their lives up to this point. Some of those that come have a very strong and definite call to plant a church. Others are interested, but they are exploring and asking the question, “is the Lord calling me to plant a church?”

A Network of Church Planters
The church planting candidates working on one of their projects

The church planting candidates working on planning out a project to plant 5 churches

All four couples that came through the Discovery Center were approved, which means that the team that evaluated them believes they have the skills, the gifts, and the character to plant a church. One of the couples is ministering in Mexicali. The same city where we just built the church in Hannah’s memory. This particular couple is already planting a church, but they have been doing it on their own. They want to be part of a supportive network of churches.

Ministerios Transformación is wonderful at coming alongside those that are either interested in starting a church or already in the process and giving them a place to belong and grow. We’ve worked with them over the years to provide help in training and mentoring. I’ve enjoyed watching them grow and mature as a ministry.

This year they’ve started a church planting training center for all their new church planters. It also is a place to prepare people who are exploring or may be interested in church planting in the future.

Partnering with Friends is Healing

Dawn and I give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to serve alongside our friends at Ministerios Transformación. On the last day during our debrief they told me that they didn’t consider me an outsider, but one of them, even though I was the only American involved. The love and care that they exhibit ministers to both Dawn in me in a deep and profound way. I believe the Lord is using them to bring much healing to us since Hannah moved to heaven.

The Dedication of the Hannah Diaso Church Plant
Pastor Mere and Edna

Pastor Mere and Edna

This Sunday we will be dedicating the new church in Mexicali that we built in Hannah’s memory. Please pray for Pastor Mere and Edna as they launch this new ministry. We pray that as the name Ministerios Transformación implies that there will be true and lasting life transformation in the community they are ministering in. Thank you, Lord, for your promise to build your church!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Ringing the Bell for Missions!

Posted: September 20, 2016 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer
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Linking for Missions Mobilization
Dawn, Hannah & Dave at MTW's Link conference

Dawn, Hannah & Dave at MTW’s Link conference

This past weekend Dawn, Hannah and I had the opportunity to participate in MTW’s Link conference in Escondido. Link is designed to mobilize new people for missions.

We were given the opportunity to share about our work in Mexico on the border and the Baja. There were also missionaries there who represented, Peru, Costa Rica, Australia, Germany and other European countries.

This was the first time that MTW tried to do a mobilization event in the West.

Thankful for the Blessings & Benefits!
Barbara Jones directing us at MTW's Link event in Escondido, CA

Barbara Jones directing us at MTW’s Link event in Escondido, CA

There weren’t quite as many people there as we hoped for, but it was still a positive event. I felt like it was beneficial in many ways.

It was a good first step at promoting missions in the western U.S.

  • I loved the opportunity to meet and interact with the people who came, and the other missionaries.
  • MTW has some quality people, which is encouraging to see.
  • I enjoy telling our story, and the promoting the outworking of the great commission.
  • It was wonderful having Dawn and Hannah at the conference with me.
Pray for Workers!
MTW the Baja Team! Ringing the bell for the border, and the Baja!

MTW the Baja Team! Ringing the bell for the border, and the Baja!

I believe that Christ’s commission is a timeless mandate, and his desire for us to pray for workers also continues till the end of the world.

…”The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”                                —Matthew 9:37, 38

We must continue to ring the bell for missions, and look to the Lord of the harvest to send workers. He can and will do it, so let’s be faithful to pray in faith!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Jesus Needs Men & Women!

Posted: February 8, 2016 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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We Still Need More Workers!
Dave preaching at Grace Renewal Church

Dave preaching at Grace Renewal Church

Today (Sunday) I preached on Matthew 9:35-38, which contains the passage that says, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” It’s one of my favorite passages. I think often about how we could use more workers to reach more people, to plant more churches.

Even this week I was speaking to the leader of Mission to the World’s mobilization department, Kendra Jeffreys. We discussed ideas on ways I could improve on what I am presently doing to attract more workers. Kendra said, “you are doing a lot of well, so I want to encourage you to have a  team of people who will pray with you for more workers.”

You are part of that team! That is one of the reasons I post, so that our friends will know how to pray for us.

Of course, Jesus didn’t just say the laborers are few, he also said to, “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers in his harvest.” Matthew 9:38

It is one of the blazing truths of Christianity that Jesus needs men and women to reap the harvest.

I usually get a little keyed up when I’m going to preach, but when the moment comes I enjoy it. I loved being with Grace Renewal Church in Chula Vista and being able to exhort them to be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission. We are to start where we are at, in our Jerusalem. That’s were we begin, but it’s not where we end. The gospel is to go to the ends of the earth.

God is a Fountain of Sending Love

I love this quote from David Bosch,

There is church because there is mission, not vice versa. To participate in mission to participate in the movement of God’s love toward people, since God is a fountain of sending love.” (Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, p. 390)

It’s a wonderful privilege for us to participate on mission with God!

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We need you to join us in prayer for more workers. Lord do provide!

In His Grip, Dave Diaso

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Ringing the Bell for the Border

Posted: April 12, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Team Members
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Mobilizing in Charlotte
Mexican border fence

Mexican Border

On Thursday I presented our border ministry to seminary students at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m ringing the bell for the border with the hope that someone will hear.

As I visit schools and churches, I have the opportunity to let people know about the crushing needs on the border. I don’t always get the immediate response that I’d like, yet it is a great experience interacting with people and letting them know about what we are doing.

There is value in making people aware of the mission we are on. Dawn and I are praying for a team of workers to join us. It takes time. I’ve spoken with some of my friends who now have larger teams, and they remind me that it is a process.

Dream Big! Dig Deep! Start Small!

Dick Kauffman has been coaching and mentoring me and I am so grateful for his support. He is a very wise and godly man with a wealth of experience. He keeps reminding me, “it is good that you aren’t building your team too quickly. It gives you more time to know what your needs are.” I believe he’s right, but that’s not to say it’s easy to wait! 😉

When I mentioned to Dick recently that I thought my team was slow in coming together he reminded me of something that Pastor Frank Barker used to say, “Dream big! Dig deep! Start small!” Dick added, “sounds to me that you are doing just that.”

I pray that Dawn and I will dream God sized dreams, and patiently wait for his timing. One thing that does help as we wait is that the Lord has already given us wonderful partners to work with, and we do minister with them as a team.

Dave & Dawn on the Border

Dave & Dawn on the Border

Jesus told us to pray for workers, which means we have to ask God and make an appeal to others to go on mission with God together. The words of Jesus still ring true today:

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. —Matthew 9:37,38

I find it encouraging that it is his harvest. This is ultimately the Lord’s work, and he is the one that will raise up the workers. That is why I will keep ringing the bell for the border.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Taking Jesus to the Streets: Our Journey!

Posted: February 17, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego
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ESL, Dave and Vicente

Dave with Vicente taking it to the streets each week

Each week we are walking the streets of City Heights to connect with people, and promote our ESL class. Presence and prayer are so important to our work. As people get to know us they feel better about us.

As we are present in the community those we talk to grow to be more comfortable with us. As we pray in the streets we claim the land for Jesus!

We are on a journey with Jesus. Our desire is to follow Christ who grew to have compassion on the people as he lived among them.

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

—Matthew 9:35,36 (ESV)

O, that Christ would radically change us, and affect our heart so that we have compassion for those we meet!

The Lord does minister to us as we reach out to others. Our little group grows in camaraderie each week. The Lord gives us more confidence and boldness as we see him open doors. That’s why it is thrilling to take Jesus to the streets!

We are still walking through the door the he opened when we met the principal of the nearby elementary school.

God has blessed our efforts as we’ve had three new students come to our ESL class in the last two weeks. Thanks so much for holding us up in prayer. The Lord hears the prayers of his people!

This last week Vicente and I ventured into a part of the community where there are many Vietnamese. We left flyers in restaurants and grocery stores. Most people seem pleased to find out we are offering free ESL classes.

Continue to stand with us in prayer that the Lord will guide us and continue to open more doors!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Related articles

The Spirit Breaks Through in Bakersfield

Posted: May 22, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Dave preaching at Covenant Presbyterian Church

Dave preaching at Covenant Presbyterian Church

On Sunday I had the privilege of speaking in Sunday School and preaching at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield. The Lord really showed up. I left filled up. Thank you, Jesus!

I preached on Matthew 9:35-38 while weaving in Luke 15. Luke 15 speaks of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. Matthew 9 explains how Christ was going through the towns and villages proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing people. This affected Jesus’ heart. He had compassion on the people as he saw their sorry state. Then he asked the disciples to pray:

” The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

This is a great missionary passage. It’s a truth that still rings true today. The harvest is still plentiful and there is still a huge need for workers.

Dave with Pastor Randy Martin

Dave with Pastor Randy Martin

I’ve preached this sermon before, but for some reason this last Sunday God moved in my heart in a special way. His Spirit touched me, and I sensed that He was at work in the hearts of those that came. I saw some with tears in their eyes. Now I don’t usually have that effect on people, so I know it was God’s Spirit at work. I praise the Lord that He would use me to touch others for His glory.

I love Charles Spurgeon. He is a master in the way he crafts his words. He describes things in picturesque fashion. I shared one of his quotes and the Lord used it to minister to me and the people. I’ve read this quote before, but as I read it I got emotional, which doesn’t happen very often. Also I could see that some of the people were teary eyed.

This is the quote, and I hope the Lord will minister to you through it as well. As you read it think of how great God’s love is for you personally as well as those prodigals you may know. Spurgeon is referring to the scene when the prodigal returns to his father. The title of the Sermon is, “Many kisses for returning sinners.”

Think of yourself as well as I you read this – look at how much God loves you!

“In this repeated kissing we see, then, these three things: much love, much forgiveness, and full restoration.

Let me try to describe the scene. The father has kissed the son, and he bids him sit down; then he comes in front of him, and looks at him, and feels so happy that he says, “I must give you another kiss,” then he walks away a minute; but he is back again before long, saying to himself, “Oh, I must give him another kiss!” He gives him another, for he is so happy. His heart beats fast; he feels very joyful; the old man would like the music to strike up; he wants to be at the dancing; but meanwhile he satisfies himself by a repeated look at his long-lost child. Oh, I believe that God looks at the sinner, and looks at him again, and keeps on looking at him, all the while delighting in the very sight of him, when he is truly repentant, and comes back to his Father’s house.”

Isn’t it wonderful to be loved by our amazing Father? Isn’t it an amazing love?

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Please be in prayer for me this week as I meet with many of our ministry partners on the border.

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org