Posts Tagged ‘Mission to the World’

God is Building His Church in Baja!

Posted: January 2, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, God's Leading, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, Team Members
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The Expansion of the Church into Baja
Peter and Jenny Boling are in the middle with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda's mom on the left and Sophie (our intern), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez on the right

Peter and Jenny Boling (middle) with Dawn and Dave and Yolanda’s mom (left) and Sophie (our summer intern – middle right), Yolanda and Daniel and Camila Nuñez (right)

One of the things that I’m most excited about as I look back on 2013 is the expansion of our team and missions presence. The Lord opened the door for us to begin working with Peter and Jenny Boling!

They are missionaries with Mission to the World (MTW). Peter and Jenny were ministering in Bogotá, Colombia, but they felt God tugging at their hearts and calling them to Los Cabos in Baja California.

Dawn and I are thrilled to work alongside the Bolings, and have them join our team. The only complication I’ve had is that I’ve called our team the San Diego-Tijuana team, so now we have to adjust some 🙂 . Although I always thought of it as San Diego-Tijuana and beyond!

God’s Answer for More Workers and Ministry Expansion
A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities hi...

A map of Baja California Sur Municipalities highlighting Los Cabos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s thrilling to have more workers, which is one of the answers to prayer that we’ve seen this past year. We are so excited to see our missionary force expanding! Lord, please continue your work and send even more laborers.

Peter and Jenny moved to Los Cabos in September, and they are already connecting with ministries at the tip of Baja. The Bolings are caring and loving servants, who are full of grace. I believe that the Lord will use them in a powerful way in 2014 and into the future.

Peter was saved out of a gangs and a wayward life. This has given him a tremendous platform to minister to those that are caught up in a lifestyle of drug addiction, alcohol and gang warfare. One of the ministries that Peter has connected with has an effective outreach to those in gangs. Many gang members are coming to Christ and growing in their faith.

The Lord set the Bolings up in 2013, which allows us to be in prime position to start a new church planting project in La Paz in mid-2014. It’s amazing to see how the Lord brings things together.

Join Us In Prayer for the Bolings & the New Church Plant
Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

We appreciate your prayers for Peter and Jenny as we begin to work on this new project. The Bolings are still in the process of getting rolling themselves. One of the things we still need is a Mexican National church planter to lead the project. We hope to identify one by the end of March.

Pray that the Lord will bring all the loose pieces together. Our desire is to honor him and see people won to Christ through this new church. Those that come into the church will become mature followers of Jesus, and as the Lord brings the increase we will see more churches started.

I feel that we need a lot of wisdom as we set the church plant up. There are a number of things that still need to fall in place.

Please join us in lifting these needs up to the Lord!

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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Awed by God and His Work in TJ!

Posted: December 10, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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In Awe of God
Worship with our friends from Lo Mejor del Trigo - A wonderful celebration!

Worship with our friends from Lo Mejor del Trigo – A wonderful celebration!

I love seeing God work in amazing ways. I’m in awe at times that Dawn and I along with our family is able to take part in God’s kingdom work.

I’ve mentioned my friend, Pastor Daniel Nuñez and the group of churches (Lo Mejor del Trigo) he leads in Tijuana and beyond numerous times. They are now up to 20 churches that they’ve started since 2005.

A Wonderful Day of Celebration

On Saturday they held their first conference for all the churches. More than 1,000 showed up for the Impacto de Gracia (Impact of Grace) conference.

Dawn and I loved the opportunity to be with many dear friends, and to celebrate with them.

The weather didn’t cooperate as they planned outdoor games and activities, but that didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of those who were there. Although many were huddled inside trying to stay warm and dry, there was a good group that played outside.

God Touched Many Through Worship and the Word
Pastor William Galdamez sharing the good news!

Pastor William Galdamez sharing the good news!

The highlight of the conference was the worship and keynote. Pastor William Galdamez gave the last message. There was so much energy in the room you could feel and see God’s spirit moving among the people, which touched Dawn and my heart as well.

More than 30 people responded to the gospel message and gave their lives to Christ!

Pastor Daniel Nuñez with his wife, Yolanda

Pastor Daniel Nuñez with his wife, Yolanda

Daniel Nuñez presented all the pastors, and when and how their work began. He even introduced us and shared with the crowd how we (Harbor Church and Mission to the World) had helped with two of the church plants, and we are getting ready to start a third.

Dawn and I left the event filled to the brim with God’s blessing. It’s so encouraging to not only watch all that God is doing, but to be able to play a part in it.

The Lord is responding to the prayers of his people. Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer.

Dawn’s Prayer Need

Speaking of prayer, on a side note, Dawn asked me to let you know that she would like prayer for the Lord’s healing touch on her Sinus. The doctor told her she needs to have surgery on her sinus, because of a bad infection that she has. She needs this done, in order for the oral surgeon to be able to finish the dental implant that he’s been working on. Our prayer is that God will heal her Sinus without surgery.

Thank you for caring!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Spirit Moves on the Mountain

Posted: November 15, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Missions at Covenant College
Dave & Dawn at Covenant College

Dave & Dawn at Covenant College

After a wonderful weekend at Mission to the World’s (MTW) The Spirit Moves missions conference, Dawn and I visited Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Covenant held their missions conference this week, and we sensed God’s Spirit as we participated in the conference.

We both love the opportunity to interact with college students. It’s hard to believe that all three of our grown children, David Jr., Jon and Hannah are college age. Maybe that’s one of the reasons that we enjoy this age group. The youthful energy and excitement about living life to its fullest is refreshing.

I spoke in two missions classes while we were at the college. I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the students. They expressed genuine interest as we explored the themes of cross-cultural church planting in a Hispanic context. I challenged the students to consider the border as a place to minister.

Some of them are praying about the possibility of doing an internship with us next summer! Pray that the Lord blesses us and the border with some good interns.

Prayer for New Missionaries

Dawn and I feel led to pray specifically for workers to join us in the church planting ministry on the border. Our hope is to see the city renewed and the border revived as we serve in the bi-national city of San Diego – Tijuana.

These two conferences served as a reminder of our need to set prayer goals, and that Jesus calls us to pray for men and women to join us in mission.

Pray for 10
Dawn with Ashley Bates a friend from Colorado and student at Covenant College

Dawn with Ashley Bates a friend from Colorado who is a student at Covenant College

We would like to ask you to join us in prayer for a team of 10 people. The main needs we have are for church planters, a trainer, a community development coordinator, a coordinator of short-term missions and interns. These are the main needs we have now.

Our desire is to pair up MTW missionaries with Mexican church planters in Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali. We already have one MTW family that will be pairing up with a Mexican church planter in La Paz. God is expanding his work, and in doing so his kingdom.

That is our prayer that the kingdom of God will expand on earth as it is in heaven.

I mentioned in my last post that MTW has a prayer goal to pray for 150 new missionaries by 2015. Join us in that prayer goal, and pray that some of those 150 will be drawn to the border.

I believe that some of the labor force will come from these young people we met at Covenant College. This is the Lord’s work, and he is committed to building his church!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

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A New Work in La Paz

Posted: September 26, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Missions, Prayer
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New Beginnings in La Paz
The group that met together to open up the new work in La Paz

The group that met together to open up the new work in La Paz

On Wednesday I participated in a historic event for the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (NPCM). The head of evangelism for the NPCM, the leader for the Church Planting  Center, leaders from the Fronterizo Noroccidental (Northwest Border) Presbytery met with us to explain and agree on a plan to open a new field and start a new church in La Paz, Baja California.

I feel like this is huge, because it’s not always easy to find common ground and to agree to work together when people from different cities, cultures and organizations come together. Yet God made a way!

La Paz, Baja California

La Paz, Baja California

Another reason that it’s a major accomplishment is that there are not any Presbyterian churches in La Paz, and there are only a few churches. La Paz, which means, the peace, needs the prince of peace to reign in their midst.

I represented Mission to the World (MTW) at the meeting, and I presented our missionary workers who will be working alongside the national church planter, Peter and Jenny Boling.

It’s exciting to be part of something new!

I learned some more about Mexico during our meeting. There are 27 cities in northern Mexico. These 27 cities contain 80% of the population in northern Mexico. There are 50 million people living in northern Mexico. The other interesting fact is that the northwest part of Mexico has less than 2.5% of the presbyterian churches in Mexico.

Praying for the Prince of Peace to Reign in La Paz
Praying for the work in La Paz

Praying for the work in La Paz

Anyway you look at it the need it huge. That’s one of the reasons that I ask you to pray. This is the Lord’s work and only he can bring the increase.

Peter and Jenny Boling are now living in Los Cabos, and they will begin doing the preliminary work to start the new church. In the meantime we will be working with the NPCM and the Church Planting Center to find a lead church planter. The Lord knows who that will be, but we don’t know yet. Pray that the Lord raises up the right person for the ministry.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Mobilizing for the Kingdom

Posted: March 11, 2013 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego
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Dave presented at MTW's vision retreat

Dave presenting at MTW’s vision retreat

On Monday David, Jr., Dawn and I were at the Mission to the World (MTW) office in Lawrenceville just outside of Atlanta. We participated in MTW’s Vision Retreat. At this event those who are interested in pursuing missions come to learn more about what God is doing around the world.

It’s an enjoyable time for us as we meet new people who are exploring what the Lord has for them. We are also able to connect with friends and colleagues. For example, we got some time with Bill Goodman. I’ve known Bill for 27 years. I first met him when I was still single. He was our first team leader when we started serving in missions in Mexico City.

In the afternoon I had the privilege and opportunity to share about our work, and what God is doing on the border. Those that were in attendance responded well.

I must admit I get a little anxious at these events, since I’m trying to promote what we are doing, and wondering if I did well enough to persuade them to take a look at us. “O Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you.”

On Tuesday morning we are off to drive up to Covenant College to present our border ministry to the college students there.

Pray that the Lord blesses our efforts, and that he will bring those that he is calling to join us! I pray we will be patient and rest in Him.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Lord, Build our Team

Posted: September 26, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Potential Team Members, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Dave presenting at MTW's vision retreat

Dave presenting at MTW’s vision retreat

Dawn and I are in Atlanta at Mission to the World’s (MTW) vision retreat. We both get pumped up when we are around people who have a heart for missions. We met some great people who love Jesus.

MTW’s vision retreat brings people who are interested in pursuing missions, but still have a number of questions together with missionaries who are seeking people to join their teams. These questions include when and where the Lord would want them to go?

It was so encouraging to meet with and interact with the other missionaries, and those with an interest in missions. I came away so impressed by those serving in the field with MTW. The needs on the various fields Japan, Thailand, Slovakia, Uganda, Mexico, etc. are huge. “O Lord, please do send us workers.”

Our prayer is that the Lord will bring people to serve with us on the San Diego – Tijuana border. The opportunity to be with other missionaries also brought home the truth that Jesus needs men and women to serve him in mission to help fulfill the great commission.

Dawn and I trust the Lord will move the right people to join our team in his good and perfect timing. We will see as we pray and continue to interact with those that came to the vision retreat whether the Lord would move them to answer the call to serve with us.

Please join us in prayer for God to move in the hearts of his people!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Healing in Juarez!

Posted: May 18, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Team Members, Tijuana
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Iglesia Promesa de Vida in Juarez - Promise of Life Church

Iglesia Promesa de Vida in Juarez – Promise of Life Church

I just returned from my time in Juarez, Mexico. Our BEAMM team met there for two days. Larry Trotter, MTW‘s new Mexico director joined us. It was a great experience to meet with all my co-workers. We have a combination of Mexicans and Americans working on our team.

It’s so good to learn how God is working along the border! The border is a tough place. It’s been in the news mucho. And unfortunately, most of the news is bad. Yet, in reality the border is becoming much safer. The situation in Juarez, Tijuana and other border cities has improved dramatically! Praise God and we pray that it will continue to get better. I do believe God’s doing a healing work in Juarez.

One of our workers, Juan Antonio Garcia shared how their church, “Promesa de Vida” (Promise of Life) is growing in Juarez. They just started a second service. The Lord has opened a door to minister to the community through serving lunches to children two times a week. They’ve also just launched a new church plant, “Frontera y Gracia” (Border and Peace). The new church is located right near the border.

Juan Arjona and Dave in Juarez

Juan Arjona and Dave in Juarez

Juan Arjona, who is ministering in Escondido, California shared about his church plant and community outreach. Juan’s church has faced some struggles financially, but the Lord is providing. There are 20,000 people who live in one square mile around where his church, “Misión Nueva Vida,” (New Life Mission) meets. Most of these homes are run by single mothers. There is a high unemployment rate, and 75% of the income of those with work goes to rent. Misión Nueva Vida distributes five tons of food to 200 people every Saturday. They are being a light in a dark place. They are bringing hope to the hopeless.

It’s not easy to work on the border, but it’s so uplifting to see God’s hand at work. Sure we’d love to see even more, and we do pray that greater things are yet to come. Join us in prayer for God’s guiding hand!

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. (I) Dave leave Saturday morning for Los Angeles. I will preach at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Bakersfield on Sunday, then be in ministry meetings all week in San Diego next week. Pray for a fruitful trip!

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

A Sentimental Return to Calvary

Posted: January 9, 2012 in Journey, Reflections & Musings
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Dave with Daniel Martinez at Calvary Church

As I drove up to Calvary Church in Glendale this morning I was reminded that this was one of the churches I visited 24 years ago when I first came on with Mission to the World (MTW). Wow! Was it that long ago that I began this exciting adventure? I was single then. I guess, that’s why my hair is turning gray!

I first visited Calvary when I was still in seminary, and studying under my professor, Bill Iverson. I believe that was in 1984 or 85. Bill used to take us seminary students to churches to help them work on their evangelistic outreach. It’s a vague memory now, but those were good days.

It was great to be back. I met pastor, Philip George at a Harbor church planters meeting in San Diego in December. When he told me who he was, I said, “O, your church used to support our ministry with MTW.” He said, “well, we should support you again.” That was all I needed to hear. That’s how my first trip of 2012 began.

Last year I traveled more than I have at any time in my life. I hope to travel less this year. But if I have to travel this was a good start to the year.

While at the church I enjoyed the opportunity to share about our ministry on the border and to meet some of their people. One of the people I met was Daniel Martinez. He is from Mexico City. He’s lived in the Los Angeles for more than 20 years now. It’s always fun to meet Mexicans and other Latinos. I met a couple of people from Guatemala there as well.

Pray with us for a great 2012, and that the Lord raises up more ministry partners so that we will be fully funded. Another big request we have is for the sale of our house. Yes, we are still trying to sell our home!

With you on the Journey!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Living in Grace

Posted: September 16, 2011 in Journey, Ministry, Prayer
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Our Living in Grace Group

Dawn and I just finished up the week in Ridge Haven in North Carolina at Mission to the World’s, Living in the Grace conference. Although before we came I felt like we had too much going on to be able to fit this in, it ended up being a source of great encouragement. It we nice for Dawn and me to have some time together. It was wonderful to grow deeper in God’s grace, and it was a special blessing to see old friends. We also enjoyed making new ones.

Dr. Paul Kooistra

Dr. Paul Kooistra, the MTW coordinator was the main speaker for the event. He shared about the power of the gospel to change our lives. Part of the gospel is realizing that we are fallen, and helpless to save ourselves. C. S. Lewis stated, “When you look in the mirror, you are not looking at an ordinary person, but an immortal in a ruined condition. A horror and a corruption such as you now meet on in a nightmare.” Not very flattering stuff, but when you consider that Christ died for us in our corrupt state, and through his death and resurrection he lifts us out of the pit. That he has redeemed and rescued those in Christ. It gives us reason to hope, and praise Him! Only the gospel will change a human heart.

Another great quote from the week comes from Dallas Willard, “In the spiritual life, one never rests on one’s laurels. It is a sure receipt for falling. We deserve nothing before God, no matter how far we have advanced, and we are never out of danger. As long as we are ‘at home in the body’ (II Cor. 5:6), we are still just recovering sinners.”

Jerry & Peggy Cross

In addition to learning and growing through the teaching, and small groups we were able to connect with some old friends. Jerry and Peggy Cross were at the conference. We served with them in Mexico City, and we’ve known them for over 20 years. We hadn’t seen them in eight years or more. It was a real blessing to be able to catch up with them.

We also saw John and Sue Burch. We went through cross-cultural training in Detroit with them 21 years ago. I guess, I’m dating myself. We’ve been in missions for a while now. John and Sue served with MTW in Australia, and now they work in the spiritual life department in Atlanta. David White, who used to work with BEAMM in El Paso – Juarez leads the spiritual life department. It was good to be able to catch up with him as well.

John & Sue Burch

Now we are getting ready to fly home. We don’t really have any time to catch our breath as this Sunday we are having a lunch after church to promote and help launch our ministry with BEAMM as we prepare to move to the San Diego – Tijuana Border. We are praying that 300 come to the lunch, and that the Lord will use it to move us that much closer to being fully funded and being on the border. Please pray with us that this event is a huge success!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org

Special Announcement – A New Page!

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

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