Posts Tagged ‘Peter and Jenny Boling’

The Lord is Building His Church in La Paz!

Posted: September 8, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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The Beginnings of a New Church
Victor & Fanny Gonzalez with their daughter, Xaris

Victor & Fanny Gonzalez with their daughter, Xaris

Dawn, Hannah and I just returned from an amazing week in Los Cabos, La Paz and Puerto Vallarta. The first half of our trip we visited our fellow MTW missionaries Peter and Jenny Boling, and our national church planters Victor and Fanny Gonzalez.

We are thrilled by all God is doing at the southern end of Baja California. The Bolings and the Gonzalez are building a strong foundation for the beginnings of the new church planting project in La Paz.

Victor and Fanny are getting to know the city, the needs, and the people. It takes a lot of time, and it’s imperative as they begin this project. We are praying with them for wisdom and direction.

Pray for Direction for the Bolings
Dave, Dawn and Hannah with Peter & Jenny, Victor, Fanny and Xaris in La Paz

Dave, Dawn and Hannah with Peter & Jenny, Victor, Fanny and Xaris in La Paz

Peter and Jenny Boling play an invaluable role in encouraging them, praying with them and supporting them along the way.

The Bolings are in the process of praying about moving their family from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz, which is about a two-hour drive across the peninsula. They would like to be more directly involved in this new church plant. We are excited about the possibility!

Join us in prayer that the Lord will make clear to the Peter and Jenny what he has for them. At this point they are leaning towards making the move, and we look forward to what God will do. Victor and Fanny are a loving couple and they have many gifts. They will be even stronger and more effective if they have a team to work with them.

Jesus Will Build His Church

It’s not an easy thing to start a church from scratch. The Lord is one who builds his church, so we are looking to him and trusting him.

Jesus said,

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. —Matthew 16:18

An aerial view of La Paz, Baja California

An aerial view of La Paz, Baja California

The Lord continues this work of building his church. He promises that he will build it, and that the gates of hell shall not be able to contain what God is doing. Our God is greater and more powerful than any force that the enemy would seek to lift up against us. We are in a battle, but we are on the winning side!

Dawn, Hannah and I were grateful we could connect with these two very special families.

We are praying for them, and asking the Lord to do a great work that the city of La Paz will be transformed by the gospel. That the city will be true to it’s name a city full of peace.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

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

Ending on a High Note in Los Cabos!

Posted: August 22, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Team Members
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God’s Rich Blessings In Los Cabos
Dave preaching at the Fuente de Vida mission church

Dave preaching at the Fuente de Vida mission church

Our ministry trip to Los Cabos ended on a high note. In the morning, Peter Boling and I visited Vida Nueva. American missionaries who came several years ago started the church. These missionaries won many of the leaders and church members to Christ.

So encouraging seeing the legacy that they left. The missionary, Johnny Lynch who started the church didn’t even speak much Spanish. It’s amazing what God can do with a willing and faithful servant.

Now this church faithfully preaches the gospel, and they have ministries to gang members and the poor in the community that they are reaching.

May God’s Peace Rain Down on La Paz

Peter and I met with the church leaders on Saturday night, and we told them of the plan to start a new church in La Paz. They were very positive, and they started thinking of all the people they knew in La Paz.

La Paz means “the peace”. We pray that the Prince of Peace will bring his peace to the people of La Paz.

Then in the evening we went to the mission church that I wrote about in my last post, Fuente de Vida “Fountain of Life”.

The Journey from Prison to Missions
Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

Peter Boling sharing his testimony at Fuente de Vida mission

Peter shared his testimony. How God saved him from a life that was headed on a downward spiral. God used a fellow prison mate, who threatened to kill him to wake Peter up spiritually. Instead, the animal, as they called him, read Peter a Bible passage that brought him from asleep to being more than curious.

When he got out of prison he went to visit an aunt who was a believer. She didn’t want to open up the door when she saw Peter. He had a long beard, and long hair and looked like a bad dude. His reputation presided him. He told his aunt after she finally let him in; “I want to know how to become a Christian.”

She wasn’t sure she could believe him at first. “Are you serious?” she asked. Peter assured her he was, and she shared the gospel with him. Now Peter is a missionary with a wonderful testimony that he is using for the glory of God.

One thing I’ve seen about people who have been saved out of bad backgrounds is they get God’s grace. It’s not hard for them to understand the need for grace in their lives. Since they get it, they are good at sharing it with others. That’s what Peter and his wife, Jenny dedicate their lives to now.

The Gospel of Hope
The Arc of Los Cabos

The Arc of Los Cabos

After Peter shared his testimony I was able to preach about grace for those that don’t believe as well as the believer. I find there are so many Christians that either fall into liberalism or legalism. The people responded very well to the message. Grace gives us hope.

The Gospel gives all of us hope and lifts off the heavy burden that many try to carry alone. Jesus wants to take those burdens and carry them for us.

Our prayer is that the gospel will be powerfully proclaimed in Los Cabos and La Paz. Lord please do rain down your peace on La Paz and the Baja peninsula.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Dreams of a New Ministry!

Posted: August 19, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Team Members
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God Works Through Relationships
Peter, Jasmin, Benjamin and Dave in front of Fuente de Vida Church

Peter, Jasmin, Benjamin and Dave in front of Fuente de Vida Church

On Friday Peter Boling and I met with Pastor Benjamin Romero in San José del Cabo. Benjamin also introduced us to his wife, Blanca and some of the people serving in the church, Jasmin and their summer intern, Othaniel.

Benjamin and the others shared about the ministry of their church, and a mission church they started a couple of years ago. I felt encouraged by their passion for Christ. They are praying and working to see Christ’s name proclaimed in the region.

On Sunday, Peter and I had an opportunity to share at their mission church, Fuente de Vida.

Our Hope for a Church Planting Team

Our hope is that Peter will partner with them in ministry to strengthen their work, but to also work with a church planter to start a new work in La Paz. The city of La Paz is about two hours from Los Cabos. It is the capital of Southern Baja California. It is an important city for the region.

10 Churches in the Next 7 Years

The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has targeted 10 key cities in northern Mexico where they presently don’t have works. Their goal is to plant churches in these cities by 2020. La Paz is one of these cities. It’s exciting to see the expansion of God’s kingdom in the area. What a blessing that we get to be a part of this new work!

Pray for a Good Beginning

Pray with us as we establish a firm foundation to minister together with our new friends in San José del Cabo. Pray that God will lead the way for us to set up a beach head, a new church in La Paz. Our hope is to start the initial phases of the church plant in 2014.

We know we need much prayer to see this happen!

Pray too for the ministry of our new friends, Benjamin and Blanca Romero, along with Jasmin and Hugo, and their summer intern Othaniel. That their church will grow and flourish and God’s Spirit moves in and through the church.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnThe Ministry.org

The Contrasts of Los Cabos

Posted: August 17, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Los Cabos: The Beauty and the Crying Need
Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas

For the last two days I’ve been with fellow missionary, Peter Boling in the Los Cabos area. He’s been showing me around, and we’ve been connecting with some of the ministries here.

I would describe Los Cabos as a land of contrasts. There is the beauty of the Pacific, the Sea of Cortez, the landscape and the beach. Then there is the barrenness, the dirt, the cactus and the shrubs inland. Some of the wealthiest people in the world have homes here, and many tourist come to enjoy all that Los Cabos has to offer. In contrast there are people who are struggling to survive, many people living in very humble conditions.

Most of the residents of Los Cabos depend on the tourism for their survival. The tourism has suffered over the last few years, because of the economy and the recent drug wars.

It hurts to see some of the people living in the humble conditions they live in.

Reaching Gangs for Christ

Peter and Jenny Boling have a passion for this area and for the many hurting people. I love watching Peter interact with those that live and serve here.

Peter sharing with the young gang members

Peter sharing with the young gang members

Just yesterday we met a group of 30 young gang members that had recently come to Christ. The Lord is using a Salvadorian hit man and drug runner to reach into the gang community. Emilio has street credibility with these gang members, because of his past. He had a dramatic conversation, and the Lord is now using him in a powerful way.

We dropped in on their meeting in the afternoon, and they asked Peter to share his testimony. Peter is a big guy, and he comes from a rough background. He was once involved in gangs and drugs. God got ahold of his heart while he was in prison, and he became a warrior for the Lord. Since, he lived the life that they are living they listen.

God is on the Move

It’s so encouraging for me to see that behind all the tourism that moves the economy that God is moving in people’s lives. He is touching the hearts of many that are now following Jesus.

The main reason that we are in Los Cabos is to pave the way for Peter and his wife, Jenny to move here so that they can minister in Los Cabos and La Paz. We want to see ministries strengthened and new churches started. The kingdom extended for God’s glory!

Join us in Prayer

Pray with us the God will grant us favor and open many doors for the Bolings to walk through as the look to serve here!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Building the Foundation for a New Field in Baja

Posted: July 8, 2013 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Team Members
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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 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 in Tijuana

Over the last month I’ve been working with our mission and some of our missionaries, Peter & Jenny Boling to open up what would be a new field for us in lower Baja California.

Peter and Jenny came out to meet us and to get to know our field last month. Dawn and I loved our time with them! It was exciting to dream with them about what could be as they work to see the kingdom expanded in Baja.

I was on the phone today with our Mexico Country Leader, Larry Trotter and one of our key Mexican partners and leaders, Andres Garza. We talked about the importance of setting up this work in the right way, and working through the proper channels.

The Importance of a Firm Foundation

A strong tower needs a firm foundation.

I’ve noticed when a big building goes up that the builders spend a great deal of time building the foundation. At first it appears they are spending a lot of time on the building, and they have nothing to show for it. Then once the foundation is finished the rest of the building goes up relatively quickly by comparison.

I found myself getting impatient while the foundation is being built. We are at that point now. I feel for Peter and Jenny, because they are having to wait for all the loose pieces to come together. They have a family, so it effects schooling and where they will live. I’m somewhat torn, because I want to protect them, and make sure they are healthy and doing well, yet I realize that we can’t just rush ahead with this project.

Praise and Prayer

I’m writing this post today for two reasons. First, I would like you to rejoice with me in the possibility of opening a new field for our ministry, which is huge! Second, I would like you to join us in prayer, that God will see this through. We need prayer for the Lord to come alongside, to spur on and to strengthen the Boling family as they wait. We need wisdom and patience as we work with and talk to all the churches and people involved, so that we do in fact set up a firm foundation.

The Cosmic War for the Church

Satan likes to discourage. He likes to come against the Lord’s church. Pray for the Lord’s protection against the attacks of the evil one.

Jesus promises,

…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

—Matthew 16:18

Jesus is the rock. Jesus is the foundation we build on. His church shall prevail. Hallelujah!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org