Posts Tagged ‘testimony’

Choosing God’s Best for the Task!

Posted: May 21, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Freedom in Tijuana
Tijuana Discovery Center with Ministerios Transformación

After this last year with so many restrictions it was wonderful to participate in a Discovery Center with my friends and partners in Tijuana. Ministerios Transformación held a church planters ministry assessment. This is the first one that we’ve done in Mexico for more than a year.

I hadn’t seen some of our friends, some of the pastors that we work with in Tijuana for this last year, so it was so good to be reunited. It was refreshing to minister together again. Even though the Discovery Center creates some apprehension for the candidates, we all had a good time. We laughed a lot.

God has Blessed us with Like Minded Partners
Tijuana Discovery Center

Pastor Daniel Nuñez leads Ministerios Transformación (Transformation Ministries) and they’ve planted over 40 churches in the last 15 years. When I first met Daniel about 11 years ago, they had only planted 7 churches. Dawn and I have loved partnering with them in ministry, and they have become like family to us.

We’ve helped them plant a number of these churches, and we’ve raised the funds to build 6 churches, and we are getting ready to build the 7th this summer.

When I first met Daniel Ministerios Transformación didn’t have a way to evaluate their church planting candidates. About 6 years ago they began the Discovery Centers in partnership with Excel Leadership Network. One of the many things I’ve enjoyed about ministering on the border is all the outstanding partners the Lord has given us.

Dawn and I prayed for the Lord to give us like minded partners as we prepared to move to the border to minister. One of my mentors Dick Kauffman, who started the Harbor church planting network in San Diego told me how important it was to be aligned and to work with like minded people. This has proved to be very wise advice.

Witnessing God’s Miraculous Wonders
Dave with Jorge at the Discovery Center

The Discovery Centers are very valuable tools in helping both the candidate and those evaluating to discover their strengths and weaknesses. It helps the candidates to know areas that they need to grow in. If the church planting candidate gets the green light it can also serve as an affirmation as to their calling.

The candidates are asked to share their testimonies and we have the opportunity to interview them and ask them questions. One of the candidates, Jorge told us that he was shot three times about ten years ago. The doctors told his mom that he was dead, and that only a miracle could save him. That’s exactly what happened a miracle! God brought him back to life! He was rescued from the brink of death. He wasn’t a believer during that time, nor was anyone in his family, but God in His tender mercy wasn’t finished with Jorge yet. He had a greater plan for him. This testimony deserves more time and space. I hope to write more about Jorge and how the Lord rescued him in a future post.

This was just one of the testimonies that I heard!

One of the things I enjoy the most is connecting with those involved in the Discovery Center both the staff and the candidates. I love being able to build into their lives, and to have the opportunity to speak into their lives as well. It’s also an amazing blessing to hear their stories of how the Lord has worked in their lives!

This Discovery Center was extra special, because I was able to see so many people that I hadn’t seen face to face for quite some time. The other thing that is special and that I love is we are helping these church planting candidates to extend the kingdom through starting new churches. I continue to pray that the Lord will allow me to be involved in helping plant at least 1,000 churches and this is one of the ways that I’m able to do that!

Pray with us as these new church planters begin their ministries. They are all bi-vocational which is not easy. They have a tremendous amount of commitment, which is one of the reasons I love being around them.

Extend Your Hands to Help – Donate Today!
Our familia on the Big Island – one of the young church planting families

Also pray for our familia on the Big Island as they battle to keep their families fed, and to continue to minister. Unfortunately, Basic needs and food prices are skyrocketing, while their pay has not increased. It’s not possible for them to support their family on what they are earning. Dawn and I remain committed to sending aid to the pastors and families each month. 

Give a donation today to the needs of the church and our familia. Your prayers and generosity will aid these families and the gospel in undeniable ways. Make a donation today by clicking on the link below!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

God’s Marvelous Work!

Posted: November 20, 2019 in Church Planting, Family Happenings, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Grateful for the Opportunity to Give Testimony of All That God is Doing

At times Dawn and I travel to promote all that the Lord is doing on the Border, the Baja and Beyond. I love the opportunity to give testimony to God’s marvelous work where we are ministering. Over the past two months we’ve been visiting friends and churches in what seems like all over the place.

Colorado: Bringing Mexico, the Church & Family Together
Adolfo Josue, Pastor Adolfo and Porfirio at Garden of the Gods

Dawn and I went to Colorado together where we hosted the president of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, Pastor Adolfo Arias and his son, Adolfo Josue. The director of the Instituto Juarez, a private Presbyterian school in Mexico City, Porfirio Camarillo also came. We had a wondeful weekend introducing them to Colorado and Village Seven Presbyterian Church. It was the first time that Adolfo Josue visited the USA.

The added blessing for us is could take advantage of the trip to visit our two boys, David and Jonathan and their wives, Emily and Hannah. The Lord encouraged us in many ways through this trip. When our kids were younger we always tried to include them in the ministry, and they grew up loving Mexico and our friends. It was so good to be able to introduce them to these friends. It fills my heart up when I see my boys and their wives enjoying getting to know ministry partners and friends in this way.

Our fun evening out for dinner with the family and our friends from Mexico

Saturday night we had the opportunity to go out to dinner with Aldofo, Josue and Porfirio. Our whole clan joined us including Hannah’s parents, Rich and Liz Blanco. We ate some good barbecue, which is something difficult to find in Mexico and had an amazing time together. Our mexican friends don’t speak much English, so Dawn and I had to help with translation. It also gave David and Jonathan an opportunity to work on their Spanish.

On Sunday after church we had a great lunch meeting with some friends on missions committee at Village Seven as well as Pastor Mark Bates and his wife, Tricia and Pastor Page Clark and his wife, Sarah. I enjoyed translating and helping Adolfo and Porfirio share about the vision to see the church in Mexico reach the next generation.

More Opportunities in Pennsylvania and Maryland
Dave sharing at Harvest Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

After we left Colorado I had a couple more trips. I went to the Philadelphia area, where Dawn’s brother, Ted and his family live. While there I visited a church in Lancaster, Harvest Church. I also visited a group from Trinity Church in Annapolis area. I drove up to New Jersey as well to see Dr. William Iverson. In my last post I wrote about the special visit with my friend and mentor Dr. Bill Iverson. It was a busy few days!

One of the things I enjoy about sharing our story and the testimony of all that the Lord is doing is the positive reaction from those that I go to visit. I always seek to encourage them and let them know that Dawn and I couldn’t do this work without friends like them standing with us.

Road Trip to Northern California
Church planter connection event in San Jose, California

After I trip back East I made a trip to Long Beach, Fresno and San Jose to promote our work and to connect with some fellow church planters. This trip involved a lot of time in the car, and driving through LA, which I don’t enjoy. I don’t mind driving long distances, but I don’t like LA traffic. I’m not sure who does?

Pray for My Parents

My parents live in Fresno, and my mom hasn’t been feeling well over the last month. She was in the hospital for more than 3 weeks. It’s hard to see my mom struggling to breath. She has COPD, and recently she’s had a harder time, which has caused her to need hospital care. My mom just came home from the hospital last Thursday, November 14. She’s receiving home care now. Please pray for both my mom and dad for their health and the Lord’s peace. He promises to give us a peace that passes all understanding.

God’s faithfulness through it all

I feel like I skipped over a lot in an effort to keep this post shorter, but you can see we’ve got a lot going on. There are periods when we travel often. Usually I travel alone, since Dawn’s mom is living with us it’s hard for us to all travel together.

As I mentioned above I do enjoy being able to share all the testimonies of what God is doing among us. I’ve noticed as we have opportunity to encourage others it strengthens our faith also. For the most part I enjoy traveling, although I do need time at home and there is ministry here close by as well, so I need to keep that in balance.

We appreciate your prayers as we continue on this exciting journey of faith. Next week, Dawn, her mom and I will be heading to Colorado for Thanksgiving to be with our boys and their wives, which should be a good time. We pray that the Lord richly blesses you as you celebrate Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Our Growing Family: Mi Familia Cubana

Posted: September 23, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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My Best Ministry Trip to Date!
Dave with Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany and their church in Cabaiguán

I just returned from a two week trip to Cuba. It was an outstanding trip, and the Lord showed up in some amazing ways. I’m not even sure where to start or how to communicate all that the Lord did while I was there!

This was my best ministry trip in 30 plus years of ministry!

Since I have been going to Cuba for a number of years now the relationships keep growing deeper, which opens the doors for more fruit. As I’ve mentioned before some of the Cubans refer to Dawn and me as mom and dad. They are a very relational and family oriented people.

Amazing Testimonies
Pastor Lucas* leading the church

Some of the highlights from the trip came from the testimonies about all that our awesome God is doing through our Cuban family. For example, Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria* shared how the Lord used some of the prayers and promises that I sent them a few weeks ago. They read them out loud during one of their church services as they prayed and claimed God’s promises. As they cried out to the Lord they began to feel Jesus and the Spirit in a close and personal way. Hallelujah!

Another wonderful story. Our great and amazing God healed a woman who had cancer. Dawn and I sent Lucas and Maria some prayers that we’ve found helpful as we minister in Latin America. They used these prayers to pray over Maria who had breast cancer. Unfortunately, Maria already had a mastectomy on one of her breasts. The doctors told her that she only had one living cell in her other breast. The church came together and prayed, and they believed that Jesus would minister to Maria and bring her healing.

When Maria went back to the doctor they didn’t find any cancer. The doctors not being believers got upset, and they told her that maybe the cancer had moved to her brain or her lungs. When they ran further tests they all came back clean. Maria was completely healed of cancer!

Freedom and Deliverance!
Maria praying with Maria and leading her to faith in Christ

Witchcraft, Santeria and other demonic practices are prevalent in Cuba. Many of my friends churches have witches, and altars to foreign deities near where they are ministering.

While I was with Pastor Lucas and Maria they asked me to pray with them for a woman in the church, Fabiola who needed healing and deliverance. She had been involved in witchcraft in the past, and her ex-mother-in-law was also a witch and she was putting curses on her. Fabiola is a beautiful young woman, and by looking at her you would never know what was going on. She told me that she had some terrible experiences with deliverance in the past, so she was a little nervous when she met with Maria and me. Fabiola said that although she was anxious she was also excited and hopeful, because she heard of how I helped another one of their leaders that last time I visited the church.

Maria and I spent about 3 hours praying with Fabiola and leading her to Jesus. It wasn’t easy, but it strengthened my faith to see Christ move in her heart and bring Fabiola healing and freedom. It was a powerful time! We saw first hand how we are victorious in Christ. “Greater is He that is in me than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Fabiola was so thankful and she had a beautiful smile when we finished our time together!

God is Doing An Amazing Work Through the Challenges!
Pastor Justo (far left) and his wife Sara (3rd from the left) along with the house church leaders in Jatibonico. They have a vision to reach at least 1,000 people

There were many other opportunities that I had to pray for people and encourage them. The Lord is so faithful to meet us at our point of need! I especially enjoyed my time of ministry with the pastors and church planters. Such special and dear people who have made so many sacrifices to serve the Lord.

Every time I go to Cuba I leave feeling that my faith is strengthened. I feel this way, because of the testimony of my friends, many of whom have become like family to us. They have such deep faith in some of the most difficult circumstances that I’ver ever seen. Most of them have a profound commitment to prayer and fasting. They live off of $10 – $50 a month, and yet they continue to faithfully serve the Lord. Instead of letting the challenges stop them they use it as motivation to trust the Lord to provide.

God sees their affliction. He is near the brokenhearted and he delivers them as he promises to do.

So Close yet a World Apart!
Some of the modes of transportation in Cuba – Quite an adventure!

The Island of Cuba is only 90 miles south of Florida. It takes less than an hour to fly from Miami to most cities in Cuba, and yet it’s a whole different world! It’s truly mind boggling!

There are many more stories that I could tell of people coming to Christ, of the Lord bringing healing, freedom and comfort to our friends on the island of Cuba. I hope to share more in a future post.

Thank you so much for praying for me for this trip. I strongly believe one of the reasons that this was my best ministry trip ever was because of all the prayer. The Lord does indeed hear our prayers!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Breakthroughs on the Border!

Posted: July 27, 2015 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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God’s Amazing Work!

Dave preaching at Monte Sion

Dave preaching at Monte Sion

The Lord gave us an incredible time on Sunday in Tijuana at Monte Sion with pastor Jaime Avila and his wife, Claudia. Pastor Jaime is just beginning to come into the Lo Mejor del Trigo network of churches. We’ve gotten to know each other through the training on life transformation that I’ve taken Jaime and some of the other LMT pastors to.

God keeps taking us and the pastors deeper, which is exciting!

Dawn, Hannah, David, our nephew Tyler, our friend Polly and I all went to pastor Jaime’s church. What a marvelous time of fellowship it was!

The Lord gave us an invigorating time praying for the people in the church after my sermon. It ministered to our spirit to see the Lord touch the people. There was much brokenness and healing as they confessed their sins, and asked God to meet them in their place of need.

There are a number of things that I enjoy about the work that God has called us to. One of my favorites is visiting the churches of the pastors we are working with, and having the opportunity to exhort and encourage the people.

As we’ve ministered in this way we’ve found it to be a tremendous encouragement to the pastors, the members of their church and to us. The Lord is using us in new ways as we learn more about prayer and addressing root issues.

Glory be to God!

A Testimony of God’s Saving & Healing Work!

From the outside looking in to the Monte Sion Church in Tijuana - they are praying for a bigger and better facility

From the outside looking in to the Monte Sion Church in Tijuana – they are praying for a bigger and better facility

After the service we had the opportunity to get to know Jaime and Claudia better.

Jaime has an unbelievable testimony. He was caught in a life of addiction for 15 years before God broke through and redeemed him. During that time he lost everything – his wife, his job, his family and his dignity then he cried out to God for help.

God heard his cry. He found a church and he came to Christ!

The Lord took away his desire for the drugs and he came back to his family. He invited his wife, Claudia to visit the church and she gave her life to Christ a month later.

Claudia had epilepsy. She suffered from epileptic seizures for 13 years. She was told that she would have epilepsy for the rest of her life.

Then Jaime saw someone healed of epilepsy at the church he was going to, and he told Claudia about it. She decided to go the church. They prayed for her and she was gloriously healed of her epilepsy. She has not had a seizure for 20 years, and she doesn’t have to take medicine. What an amazing God we serve!

Join Us In Prayer!

Pray with us for Jaime and Claudia as they seek to reach their community and grow the church. The church has been through some recent trials, but God is bringing about healing and wholeness as they minister. The Lord is also doing a healing work in their family.

We see so much brokenness, so much need, but God is greater still than all our sin and sorrow. He brings restoration, and meets us in our place of need.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

God Hears & Changes Lives in TJ!

Posted: December 19, 2014 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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God is on the Move in Ribera del Bosque

Dave & Dawn with Pastor Ivan and Rocio and their son Brandon

Dave & Dawn with Pastor Ivan and Rocio and their son Brandon

The Lord is doing a marvelous work in the Lo Mejor del Trigo church in Ribera del Bosque. Dawn and I enjoyed worshipping with them and ministering with them on Sunday.

Pastor Ivan Casados along with his wife, Rocio started this church in April. They’ve already grown to 70 people.

These 70 people represent changed lives, as God’s Spirit is moving in Ribera del Bosque.

New Life in Christ – Changed Lives!

Pastor Ivan with Frida & Lupita

Pastor Ivan with Frida & Lupita

It was great to meet Frida, and her family. She just came to Christ a few months ago. I shared her story in an earlier post. Frida invited her cousin, Lupita. Through the witness of the church Lupita gave her life to Christ.

It’s thrilling to hear the testimonies to see new people coming to Christ!

God Hears Our Prayers

One of the couples we prayed for: Juan and Alejandra

One of the couples we prayed for: Juan and Alejandra

After the service many people came up for prayer. God met them at their point of need. They asked for prayer for physical and emotional healing. It was a privilege to lift them up in prayer.

It also hurt to see how some of them were suffering. One of the men we prayed for was involved in a terrible accident that crippled his foot. He and his wife were in tears as we asked the Lord to bring them healing and comfort. After we prayed he said he felt better. Our hope and prayer is that the Lord will bring further healing and wholeness to him and his family.

One of the greatest ways we can bless people is to pray for them. We know that the Lord hears our prayers, and he ministers to them in ways we never could.

Thank you Jesus for changing the lives of our friends in TJ. We pray for more of you, more of your amazing work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

 

 

We are the Easter People!

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Video
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We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song —Pope John Paul II

Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday! Worship

Harbor Mid-City Easter Sunday!

The message of Easter is one of hope. Light breaks through the darkness. We live in a world that seems hopeless and in despair. The resurrection is the game changer. That’s why hallelujah is our song!

When God enters in it is reminder that there is hope. When the gospel truly does break forth it gives us reason to rejoice. Often we are not singing hallelujah, because our spiritual eyes and ears are not open to what the Lord is doing all around us. Maybe we’ve forgotten what our savior did for us on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

One of the ways we learn of how God is working in a community is listening to the testimony of his people. On Easter Sunday, Danny Kim put together a marvelous video that tells the story of three changed lives.

Moses and Oliva both came to know the resurrected savior in a very personal way this last year. God worked in Timonthy’s heart and gave him the strength to forgive someone who had abused him years ago.

It brought tears to my eyes to observe how the Lord had redeemed the lives of these friends. I know that the Lord used the testimonies of these transformed lives to touch the hearts of many who were there to worship the risen savior.

Resurrection: Finding New Life in Jesus Christ!

Give thanks with us for the Lord’s marvelous work, and for these transformed lives!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Related articles

A Changed Life on the Border!

Posted: December 4, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Moses show God changed his life with Harbor and pastors Stephen Phelan and Edgardo Avila

Moses (standing between pastors Stephen Phelan and Edgardo Avila) sharing how God changed his life

Almost every week we are seeing people come to Christ at Harbor Mid-City! It’s wonderful to hear the testimony of how God’s Spirit is moving in the heart of men and women to bring about changed lives.

Just this past Sunday, our new friend, Moses shared how the Lord reached into his life and saved him. He spoke of how he tried to do everything on his own. He isolated himself from others. God broke through, and Moses started coming to church. When he heard the gospel message he recognized his need for salvation. His need to be connected with a body of believers. His need to be committed to Christ and his church.

Moses’ testimony and the work God is doing in his life is heart warming!

Thank you Jesus, we pray that you will break through in the lives of many more and draw them to yourself as we seek to make a difference on the San Diego-Tijuana border. We pray that Moses and other new believers in the church will grow in their faith, and their lives will be truly transformed by the gospel of grace. Build your church, for your honor and glory! Amen.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Amazing Grace – Oliva’s Testimony!

Posted: November 20, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Emily, Oliva, Elizabeth and Dawn (from left to right)

Emily, Oliva, Elizabeth and Dawn (from left to right)

It was so good to hear Oliva share her testimony in front of the church this past Sunday.

She was looking for a job in a Spanish newspaper. In the process of looking for some job opportunities she saw something about an English class. That perked her interest. She decided to go.

Our ESL team which includes Ray Call and our intern, Emily Gryder received Oliva with open arms. She felt very welcomed. Then Emily invited Oliva to a Bible study on Friday nights. Oliva thought, “Church on Friday night?” She wasn’t sure about it, but she decided to go check it out.

Our intern, Emily has done a great job over the last several months. She really has loved on and ministered to Oliva.

While at the Friday night service Oliva met Edgardo Avila. He is the pastor that leads the Spanish-speaking ministry. Edgardo’s wife, Elizabeth was very warm to her. Before you know it, Oliva was attending church on Sunday mornings!

She said she grew up in a church, but she really didn’t understand the gospel message. The Lord used the ESL program and some of the people connected with it to lead Oliva to Christ. She understood the difference between knowing about God, and having a relationship with God. She put her faith in the risen Lord.

Now Oliva prays for her grown children and prayers that they will come to church, and get to know Jesus. Let’s join her in prayer that her children and grand children will come to a saving knowledge of Christ! One of Oliva’s daughters has already come to visit the church. God is indeed on the move!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Come and See What God has Done: The Testimony of Brian and Anna Peterson

Posted: June 28, 2012 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Dave with Brian Peterson

Dave with Brian Peterson

This week Dawn and I saw Brian and Anna Peterson at Sierra View Presbyterian Church. You might remember that Anna’s life hung in the balance due to complications while giving birth. She went into a coma, and it was touch and go for her for a few weeks.

Their testimony is very encouraging. I think when our city, Colorado Springs is burning we need words of encouragement! God is doing some wonderful things!

Dawn and I had coffee with Brian and he shared more about all that the Lord did in saving Anna and caring for their family. He told us that he preached a sermon from Psalm 66 titled, “Come and See What God has Done.”

“Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.’ Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.”

— Psalm 66:3-5 (ESV)

God truly did an awesome deed in sparing the life of Anna!

One of the doctors who is not a believer said, he didn’t know what to do when treating Anna. It was a difficult case. Most people who meet the complications that Anna faced don’t live through it. The doctor in desperation put his hands up in the air and cried out, “God help me.” He later told Brian and Anna that everything began to run smoothly and efficiently. He gave testimony to God answering his prayer.

Anna’s sister-in-law was getting up to 50,000 hits a day on her blog as she posted updates and prayer requests. Many people were pleading to the Lord that he would help the doctors and nurses and heal Anna. God did hear these requests.

It’s such a wonderful testimony of God working through his church, and through the medical staff.

I grew up in Fresno so we have long ties to Sierra View. We are thankful for the many friends that we’ve known over the years. This church is an important partner with us in our ministry. Brian has done a great job leading the church, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know them.

I know God doesn’t always answer in the way he did with Brian and Anna, but it sure is worth celebrating when he does. He obviously doesn’t always heal, but he intervened in their life in a powerful way. People around the globe came together to lift them up in prayer! God answered! Praise be the Lord!

Anna recently shared her testimony at a church. It was recorded and shared on YouTube. The quality of the recording isn’t great, but her story is truly amazing! She shares that there was more than one time she could have died, and that most people with her condition do. Yet God in his mercy rescued her from the valley of the shadow of death.

You can watch it here:

How awesome are your deeds, O Lord!

In His Grip, David

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org