Posts Tagged ‘Pastor Jaime Rodriguez and Valentina’

The Church Unleashed in TJ!

Posted: September 21, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer, Tijuana
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A Glorious Sunday of Worship
Dave preaching at LMT Plan Libertador in Rosarito

Dave preaching at LMT Plan Libertador in Rosarito

Today (Sunday) was an invigorating day! It’s so good to see God’s church in action. The church growing, and reaching out to the glory of God!

In the morning I was able to visit and preach at Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT) Plan Libertador in Rosarito. Victor Bravo pastors this young church, which we helped him and his wife, Sol launch this past March.

Victor and Sol are some of my favorite people. They have so much energy and enthusiasm and it’s plan to see that they love their people and the people love them.

Dave & Pastor Victor Bravo in front of the church

Dave & Pastor Victor Bravo in front of the church

I preached on Christ’s tender invitation to come learn from him, and rest in him from Matthew 11:25-30. I’ve been camped out on that passage for a while now. It was hot in the church today, so I feared the congregation might take my exhortation to rest literally. Fortunately, they stayed awake and I sensed the Lord used His Word to lift up the spirit of the people.

Even though this church is only a few months old they already have about 40 people in their service. Victor and Sol are doing an outstanding job in showing the love of Christ in the community of Plan Libertador. I wish all our church plants would start off like this one is.

That’s our continued prayer. Lord, build your church.

7 Year Milestone at LMT La Morita
Jaime & Valentina on the far right receiving a plaque of recognition for their 7 years of ministry at the church

Jaime & Valentina on the far right receiving a plaque of recognition for their 7 years of ministry at the church

In the afternoon I was able to go to LMT La Morita in Tijuana to celebrate their seventh anniversary. My good friend, pastor Jaime Rodriguez is leading this church. He planted the church with his wife, Valentina in 2008.

Jaime also ministers as the Hispanic pastor of Bridge church in San Diego. I really enjoy working with him. As I’ve said before it’s a real privilege for me to minister with the men and women like Jaime & Valentina and Victor and Sol.

So encouraging to visit these two churches, and see how God’s Spirit is working in each church.

God’s Amazing Work – What a Joy!

When I pray and think about the future and what God wants to do on the border and throughout the Baja I keep being reminded of Ephesians 3:20.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 ESV)

I love  the idea of Christ doing far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. It doesn’t only say abundantly, but the passage says far more abundantly. God can and will do more than we can even ask or think of. I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope.

Sometimes I get frustrated when I try to do the ministry in my own strength, or even when I lean on my own understanding too much.

So many wonderful promises in the Bible to keep me going in the right direction, and to remind me who’s in charge.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Thanks for praying and standing with us as we minister here, and see God fulfilling his promise to build his church.
In His Grip, Dave

Living a Dream!

Posted: June 23, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer
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Much to Give Thanks For
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

I’m so thankful for the wonderful men that I’m able to serve the Lord with here on the border. They are choice servants of the Lord and special friends. It also gives me great joy that Dawn and I can come alongside pastors and their wives.

Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a dream, since God has called us here. It’s not that we haven’t had more than our share of trials that can make the dream feel more like a nightmare.

Yet, despite the low times. Despite the valleys. There are also so many good things, so many things to give thanks for.

Wonderful Godly Partners
Jim DeWitt, Valentina & Jaime Rodriguez with Dave

Jim DeWitt, Valentina & Jaime Rodriguez with Dave

One of those things that I give thanks for is the people we partner with. They are not only wonderful partners in ministry, but they are outstanding friends.

Just this morning I had breakfast with Jim DeWitt with Mission to the World (MTW) and Jaime Rodriguez, pastor of Lo Mejor del Trigo La Morita and Bridge church. Jaime loves the Lord, and he loves to serve Christ. He is very sensitive to God’s leading and direction. I learn from him.

Valentina, Jaime’s wife is a jewel. Dawn and I feel privileged to minister with them.

Pastor Daniel Nuñez is another wonderful friend that I’ve enjoyed getting to know and serving with over the last 4 years. Daniel’s wife, Yolanda and their whole family have become very special to us.

God has blessed us with so many good people that we work alongside that I don’t have the space to mention all of them in this post, although if you follow my blog you will read about them if you haven’t already.

Growing Together in Christ!
Keys to a Transformed Life in San Antonio de las Minas

Keys to a Transformed Life in San Antonio de las Minas

This week I’m in San Antonio de las Minas going through a workshop on Keys to a Transformed life and I have three pastors, and three missionaries here with Dawn, Hannah and me. Pastor Ivan Casados, Pastor Jaime Avila and Pastor Mario Perez. Fellow MTW missionaries Peter and Jenny Boling are here along with Jim DeWitt.

Last week Pastor Felipe Hernandez was with us along with his wife, Laura.

We also had 4 leaders from the Nueva Jerusalen church – Jesus & Yudy Petrikowski and Jorge & Luz Salazar.

Such special people! Thank you Jesus for our friends. O Lord, do meet them at their point of need. Do work in their hearts and draw each of them nearer to you. Use us for your glory and she your kingdom extended on the earth! Amen and Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

A Grand Fiesta to Celebrate!

Posted: January 13, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Prayer
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A Fiesta for Jaime
Pastor Jaime with his wife, Valentina sharing his vision for the Hispanic ministry

Pastor Jaime with his wife, Valentina sharing his vision for the Hispanic ministry

On Sunday we had a fiesta after church for our new hispanic pastor, Jaime Rodriguez. Bridge church went through a tough stretch this last summer. We lost our hispanic pastor, which caused some upheaval in the church.

The church experienced a period of mourning. God proved himself faithful during that time. He brought healing, which continues.

Joy Comes in the Morning!
Dave with Pastor Jaime Rodriguez

Dave with Pastor Jaime Rodriguez

It reminds me of his promise in Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

My heart rejoices as I see the Lord answering our prayer through Pastor Jaime and his family. Jaime’s precious wife, Valentina and their two precious girls Eneida & Eunice.

Jaime is like a much-needed breath of fresh air to the church.

It was wonderful to see such a large group from Bridge come out to celebrate.

There’s still plenty of work to do. Now rebuilding and reaching out into the community to see the church grow for Christ. We pray that we will see those in the church strengthened in their faith, and that many who do not yet know Christ will turn to him.

A Special Partnership with LMT

What makes it extra-special is that Jaime comes from our friends and partners in Tijuana, Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT). Jaime started a church in La Morita in TJ that has grown to over 120 while he’s been there.

We’ve helped Lo Mejor del Trigo plant four churches over the last four years. The Lord has blessed us so richly through our relationship with them.

Join Us in Prayer

We need your prayers for Pastor Jaime as he begins to minister at Bridge. Jaime and I are working on visiting those in the church. We are also beginning go out into the community to share the gospel. This Sunday we will have a group of 150 Latino students from Destino going out in the community with us to be witnesses for Christ. Pray for a good response, and for the growth of Christ’s church.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org