Pappas Family

Flexico

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:49:14 +0000

“Blessed Be the Flexible”

That’s been the saying at the school—and wow, did we ever get a crash course in flexico… lol! Flexico is a combination of two words flexible and Mexico and is what the Lord has been leading us to be each year that we’ve been in Mexico.… Flexible.

We started out on the “right” foot and then we “left… “when we arrived in Mexico for our 7th year of Calvary School of Missions (CSOM) We could hardly believe that we were here with 12 amazing students and 8 passionate leaders. With eager anticipation, we were looking forward to what the Lord was going to do in and through this year. We start the school off with the theme of surrender where we ask the students to be willing to lay down their hopes, dreams, thoughts, and plans in an act of surrender to the Lord, Jenn and I participate in this as well offering Him our lives to do with as He will. We do this very literally and symbolically, after looking into the word of God and what it says about surrender, we spend some time in worship and prayer and write down the things that are near and dear to us, after that we take our pieces of paper to the fire and burn it watching our plans go up in smoke That’s the right foot to start off on !!

THROW BACK - SPRING FORWARD

Wed, 07 May 2025 16:21:35 +0000

Spring 2025 update, a lot has happened since our last newsletter so we wanted to bring you all up to speed. First of all, we are so grateful to God and to you for the way y’all have partnered with us through reading our newsletters, praying for us, encouraging us, being part of our care team, and for your generous financial support. Thank you all so much, it humbles us and reminds us that we are all part of an incredible team God has put together to further the gospel around the world.

The Greatest Gift of All!

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 01:43:27 +0000

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall cal His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. - Matt 1:21

Merry Christmas Everyone!

At Thanksgiving, I (Tim) was asked the question “if I could pick one word that would describe the last year. What would it be and why?” I picked the word wow. Why would I use the one word wow to describe the last year? It’s because as I look back at all that God has let us put our hands to this year all I could think to say was wow. Many of you have received and read our updates throughout the year and I’m sure you would agree with me if you haven’t then please visit our blog and catch up on all that happened this year. Looking back at the last couple of months it’s a big WOW. June – October was an incredible season starting with six weeks in Mexico at the Calvary school of missions. CSOM where I Tim get to direct the school assisted by my beautiful wife and an incredible team of past graduates, who are in training, learning skills that will assist them on the mission field (please read last month‘s update for further information on that.) At the end of the six weeks in Mexico, we came back to the states for two weeks in order to regroup and wrap up the admin portion of CSOM. Early September, we launched out to Thailand and south Asia for six more weeks to lead a few students on a vision tour, visit the church plants and workers there, host one of the most incredible conferences in Thailand that I’ve ever been at where we had close to 50 SGWM “Workers” gathered, many of them serve in countries where It is illegal to preach the gospel or share the Bible with the intent to convert someone to christianity. Leaving Thailand we went to South Asia where we had opportunity to teach at some of the Bible colleges and churches. strengthen, encourage, and council senior pastors and there wife’s in the church plants of restricted country where Christians are highly persecuted, and the gospel is not welcomed. Pastor Gary, and myself also had the privilege of teaching systematic theology and the book of Colossians at two of the Bible colleges there. It is such an incredible privilege to be able to train up future church, planters and pastors in a country Where over 1 billion people have never heard the name of Jesus and are completely deceived and lost in Hinduism.

We Found New Real Estate

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 19:30:39 +0000

The view is incredible, the ground is fertile, trees planted by streams of water with roots running deep. Their leaves are not withering. Their fruit is big and luscious. If we could buy this property we would but we can’t… It’s CSOM!! (Calvary School of Missions)

16 Students: Serena, Alyson, Elli, Olivia, Ariana, Zoe, Michaiah, Emma, Brittany, Katia, John, James, Deprii, Judah, Christian & Russell seeking the Lord with all they’ve got. To say that Watching them use the gifts God has given them was amazing is an understatement. Seven of these students came from the body here at Calvery Chapel Saving Grace. Four students came from Calvary Chapel Simple Faith in Washington, 1 student from Arizona. 1 from Nevada and the others were local. We are excited to share with you that at least 10 of these 16 students will be taking a next step in continuing on with the Missions Training School (MTS) at Saving Grace. Typically a minimum of a 1 year commitment, they will receive in-depth intensive training in church, planting, Bible literacy, cultural issues, being a part of ascending hub, the inner workings of a missions sending agency and so much more. Can you please join us in praying for them individually as they continue to seek the Lord and be equipped for the Mission field,. Please pray for us too, as when we are not out on the field, engaged in missionary care and missionary training we are here at the home office running the MTS

Not Our Ways

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:02:08 +0000

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”

Isaiah 55:8 NKJV

Hello our friends and family,

It’s been a few months since our last update and we are very grateful for each of you who pray for us, encourage us or financially partner with us as we continue to be faithful and obedient to our Father! So many privilege’s and opportunities have been placed in our path and God continues to show us it’s not about our ways, but His ways! It’s definitely been a humbling experience but by God’s grace, we are blessed to be a part of His plan. His Will.

“We're Feeling Young Again!”

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:12:48 +0000

How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3

Last month we mentioned that we wanted to “Be Still” and wait upon the Lord. Well, we did that and heard Him saying to continue being faithful to what is in front of us. Jenn is itching to “GO,” however, we are to STAY for now. There are many opportunities and privileges God has put in front of us. The sheep need us, MTS (Missions Training School) & CSOM (Calvary School of Missions) need us, the missionaries overseas need us… and of course we couldn’t do any of this without each and every one of you and most importantly our Father! We need Him! Amen?!

Did You Hear It?

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:20:57 +0000

Did you hear it? Did you hear it? We heard it. The starting pistol… it went off and the rat race begins. The first thing we’ve decided to do in 2024 is BE STILL !! The tendency is to hit the ground running, I’m sure we’re not alone but Jenn and I have decided to be still and know that He is God. We’re not going to try to catch up on any undone business of 2023. We’re not going to try to check off our to-do list or New Year’s resolutions of 2024 before we learn to practice the art of being still before our great God and king. We were grateful to be able to have a week of downtime between Christmas and New Year’s. 2024 started off with a short week in the office, followed by a weeklong time of prayer and fasting that our whole church engages in.

We Are Wrapping it Up ! !

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:14:53 +0000

To borrow a line from an old song…

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

There are many wonderful things about this month. There is the heightened awareness and celebration of Jesus, the Messiah, and the indescribable gift of grace, and love that God has given us, the opportunity and openness of this time of year for the gospel to go forth, and gratitude and love, that seems to be more freely shared. Another one of the things that Jenn and I truly love around Christmas time is wrapping. I know that may sound strange, but the wrapping of gifts and the beauty of gifts wrapped and placed under the tree and the thoughtfulness that goes into it has a super special spot in our hearts. As we wrap up 2023 we hope to do a good job of wrapping up in this final update.

Stick the Landing

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:49:45 +0000

You gotta stick the landing !!

In gymnastics an event can be fierce, the workouts, the practices, not to mention the competitions themselves are highly emotional and physically challenging. One of the most important things is to stick the landing… What does this mean? At the end of your gymnastic event there’s one final move and how you land can make all the difference in the world. As we have had a few moments to reflect on the past eight weeks in Mexico with the 2023 CSOM, our heart is to stick the landing… Land well. That’s the moment that can make all the difference. `Well thanks to our Gods grace, mercy, and the prayers of friends like you that’s exactly what happened. We landed well, six weeks of training, stretching and growing for staff and students alike. And we were no exception. We were able to get back to America and have time to wrap up the administrative details of the school. C alvary S chool O f M issions as you know, is no small feet, it takes months and months and months of preparation for us which is including but not limited to interviewing students, securing lodging, food, transportation. Arranging Ministry outreach, organizing curriculum, securing teachers, I’m exhausted just writing this :-)

EXCITING NEWS ! ! !

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 22:27:22 +0000

We are so thankful for each and every one of you who are reading this newsletter and wish you could be here to witness the wonderful and great things the Lord is putting in our paths for His Glory, And we know you are rejoicing with us in what the Lord has been doing in our lives. We are at the 1/2 way mark of the Calvary School of Missions. IT’S TRULY BEEN AN AMAZING TIME ! !

A Beautiful Display!! Pappas Update

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:39:18 +0000

We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.

This year has been a beautiful display of God’s grace and power. Jenn and I continue to be amazed at God’s grace and how through His power He allows us to participate in His plan for the gospel to go out to the whole world. (Mark 16:15)

As the director of missionary equipping here at Saving Grace World Missions, Tim’s role has many facets. Missionary care has been one of the main thrusts of the last six years, the way it looks changes frequently and has expanded into much more than we ever imagined.

Give

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 22:42:15 +0000

Catching Our Breath and Launching Forward

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 03:28:41 +0000

There was so much that happened over the summer that we felt it necessary to recap for a moment before we launch into this fall and winter season.

Bigger Than Ever

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Calvary School of Missions (CSOM) 2022 was bigger than ever. With over 18 students, 6 leaders, 20 plus teachers and guest speakers, we are reminded of Ephesians 3:20-21 and yet again taught the all important lesson of not limiting God.

Together Again

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:20:05 +0000

Jenn and I were separated for a couple of weeks but are now glad to be back hand-in-hand serving the Lord together in Mexico. It’s hard to believe but for the fourth year I find myself in Mexico directing the Calvary School of Missions. We are down here with 18 incredibly focused young men and women who feel the call of God on their lives for church planting and missions work.

Refresh the Weary and Satisfy the Faint

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 22:55:07 +0000

Jeremiah 31:25 says, “for I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.”

I hear that Jeremiah was a weeping prophet, but honestly, I feel he had such faith and courage. A lot of waiting and patience!

In these past few months, I (Jenn) have been reflecting on the characteristics and values of the prophets and prophetesses in the Bible. I’ve been thirsting for His presence and direction in our life. Don’t misunderstand me, our life is full of God‘s blessings and He continues to allow privileges and opportunities for us to serve Him. As many of you may know, my son Andy is choosing to be homeless and living in the streets of Orange County with mental illness, alcoholism, and drug addiction, and it’s very painful for my mother’s heart to watch. I am grateful for a very supportive and loving husband and, most importantly, our Father who continues to show up. We were recently able to connect with Andy on March 19, after not seeing him for five months. I see God using this season to deepen our faith and trust in Him. Hannah & Sarah in the Old Testament prayed & prayed for years and God fulfilled the desires of their hearts. I believe God will radically save my son in His timing. His Word says that He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap (Ps 113:7) and that the Lord is near those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit (Ps 34:18).

Love is in the Air

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 01:32:15 +0000

So far 2022 is off to a great start! Valentine’s Day has just passed and love is in the air and on the hearts of a lot of people so, naturally, we are seeking to make sure that people know of the greatest love ever; the love of God that transforms the soul through faith in Jesus Christ. Jenn and I have been having a great time every Thursday night hosting some of our church family for a mid-week life group. Conversations have been deep, the fellowship has been sweet and the focus has been on taking what we learned from God’s word on Sunday and sharing it with someone during the week.

'Tis the Season

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 00:37:53 +0000

‘Tis the season, the time is now. We had an incredible spring, summer and start to fall in 2021. As we pushed hard to finish the year strong, we had one final curveball at the end. On Christmas Eve, I (Tim) got Covid. I have recovered with the exception of some lingering exhaustion but boy, what a loop that threw us for. We weren’t expecting that but God was and He used that time for Jenn and me to focus in on Him and spend the last few weeks of the year bonding together. A three strand cord is not easily broken and I figure the Lord wanted to strengthen that cord. Our quarantine time left us excited to see what the Lord has for us in 2022. We find ourselves falling more and more in love with Jesus and are more and more amazed at the things that He does and the ways He lets us participate.

"ALL THINGS NEW"

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:34:47 +0000

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our newsletter, it really means a lot to us. God has been moving here in Mexico! People in the communities are receiving Jesus, and the students are really being stretched, serving in ways that are out of their comfort zone. We cant tell you how excited we are for these future world changers! Jenn has truly been blessed by being a part of the School of Missions! We definitely hear the Lord speaking to us more to plant a church or partner alongside a team. We are surrendering and seeking God to know when? SEND US ! Until that time comes, we are committed to being faithful to what God has called us to right now.

"Sending Out The Twelve"

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 00:00:59 +0000

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. - Matt 10: 5-7

So much to tell you about what God has been doing in and through the students here at CSOM (Calvary School of Missions). It has only been 2 weeks and we have already been able to pour into the hearts of these young men & women. One way I (Jenn) have been able to build up rapport with a few students is by taking early morning walks before devotionals. Talking to these young ladies and building a relationship and trust by pouring Jesus upon them. One of the students mentioned how she has realized the way she had been living at home was a lie. Another student expressed her concerns when she returned home, how she would be judged by her faith. Listening to theses students hearts and pouring into them, has been edifying to them and myself. These students are truly pumped up for reaching the nations. We are so excited to see what the Lord has in store for all these students as they continue to open their heart to the teachings of His Word by the SGWM (Saving Grace World Missions) pastors.

Ready, set, go!

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:25:30 +0000

It’s hard to believe we are here, just days away from launching year three of the Calvary School of Missions. It has been an incredible journey in preparing young men and women to be future missionaries and Jenn and I can hardly believe that God has given us a front row seat to watch these young world changers blossom. Year one and year two students are teaming with testimonies of how God has touched their lives, stretching them and molding them in amazing ways

Spring Has Sprung

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 23:32:55 +0000

Spring has sprung into action and so have we. So much has happened since the last time we had written, just like so much happens in the months prior to spring. We have had a wonderful season of being able to invest in the lives of others and have others invest in us. In February/March, I (Tim) was able to go to central Mexico where I was able to be involved in Missionary care as well as Missionary equipping all in one. We went to visit one of our newest SGWM Missionaries in Acapulco… before you start thinking it’s all sunsets and palm trees, Acapulco is ranked the city with the fourth highest murder rate per capita in the world and is an extremely hard place to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ. It had been so long since anyone had been to see them that our missionary identified himself as an orphan missionary. We spent several days there visiting the work, serving in their church and edifying the family. As we were leaving I asked him if, as a result of our visit, he felt more equipped to continue on in the ministry and he answered emphatically yes. That was when it struck me that missionary equipping has many more dimensions than just training up and equipping young adults who graduate from the Calvary School of Missions.

Full Speed Ahead !

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 01:17:04 +0000

Happy new year everyone, Jenn and I are excited to see what 2021 holds. We have talked to a lot of people and hear a lot of hope for a better year ahead. So far we have not seen it. I hate to pop anybody’s bubble but we all know even though we have a hope and a future in Christ but ultimately times here on earth will get worse and worse. Jenn and I have purposed in our heart to dump the clutch, grab a gear and stomp on the gas. Full speed ahead. Some of you older crowd know the context of that saying. We’re not concerned with the danger, we’re not discouraged by fiery darts, we have set our course for 2021, to not shrink back, to be dedicated to the furtherance of the gospel and the encouragement of the body of Christ. A compass point due north, keeping our eyes off of our circumstances and squarely on our master and king. If this sounds a bit like a war cry, that’s because it is. We have been called into battle my friends. Won’t you join us in prayer as Tim prepares for a trip to Mazatlan and Acapulco where he will engage in face to face missionary care there with SGWM Missionaries in both locations as well as serving at a church planting conference there. Praise the Lord Jenn is healing up nicely from her surgery and will be heading back to work. Please pray for her as she steps back into the role of ministering to women recovering from drug and alcohol addictions while pointing them to our Lord

A Two-Way Street

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 18:40:23 +0000

Here we are, finding ourselves so close to the end of 2020. Wow, what a ride! Thank you for joining us on this journey, you are a huge part of what we do. One of the joys of 2020 has been our ability to continue to care for missionaries worldwide. God has definitely given Jenn and me a heart of compassion and the gift of caring for others that He allows us to use for His glory. It was exciting to see God’s confirmation over the last few months that we are not to go anywhere, we are to continue on assignment, pouring into and fortifying missionaries around the world as well as equipping missionaries on their way to the field.

Lives Touching Lives

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 02:38:37 +0000

In a world where the news just seems to be getting worse, problems seem to be getting bigger, tensions build and anxieties sore we are here to tell you our walk with God and relationship with Him just keeps getting better and we hope that is a reality in your life as well. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. We love that song, we love that truth. Jenn and I are completely committed and totally sold out to walking with God and caring for missionaries, and if you’ve been reading our update letters, you’ll know it’s been a bumpy ride, yet around every corner God continues to show himself strong. We have found great joy and lots of blessing in caring for missionaries on the field, along with ones on their way (i.e. Calvary School of Missions students). October was filled with missionary care on yet another level… in our home. We were blessed to be able to house and host a missionary brother from a Middle Eastern, predominately Muslim country who stayed with us for two weeks. It was a great time of fellowship and he left completely refreshed.

One of the Youngest and One of the First

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 21:25:28 +0000

Jenn and I want to start out this month’s newsletter by saying that we are extremely grateful to still be here serving the Lord at Saving Grace World Missions. We posted last month in our newsletter that our support has gotten so low we had to stop payroll; we are still extremely short in our monthly income but by Gods grace and through much prayer of yours, ours, and many others God has made it evidently clear that we are to stay on the field, that we cannot leave our post. Missionaries must be cared for!! Serving as a stateside Missionary and being 100% dependent upon the Lord moving the hearts of financial partners has definitely been a challenge, but only for us, not for Him. Thank you so much to those of you who have heard the Lord’s voice and decided to partner with us to enable us to continue serving missionaries all around the world. We are still at quite a deficit to meet our monthly needs, however, I’m confident the Lord will provide.

Greater Heights, Deeper Trust

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 22:35:05 +0000

2020 CSOM

I found myself in a place I never thought I would be, directing the Calvary School of Missions for the second year in a row. God has a way of doing exceedingly abundantly beyond what we ask or think and He has a way of getting His will accomplished that, quite frankly, blows my mind. Year two of CSOM went incredibly well but it wasn’t without challenge, sacrifice, and hard work. Jenn and I have both realized something in life: challenges, hard work, and sacrifice are good for us and this year was no exception.

Together Again

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 18:01:13 +0000

Greetings from Mexico, first of all we want to thank each and everyone of you who have prayerfully and financially partnered with us and fulfilling the great commission. We are four weeks into the Calvary School of Missions in Mexico. It has been an absolutely incredible time of personal growth and great challenge for both of us. Some thought we were crazy stepping out and doing the school during this very scary time in the Covid pandemic but we are here to tell you the Lord is 100% in this and if it’s crazy to obey God and walk with him then we don’t want to be sane. I (Tim) have been stretched beyond belief as I seek to be used by God to organize administrate and facilitate the school. Stretched so far and so good for Gods glory. I’m sure He is preparing Jenn and I for future ministry usefulness. Jenn was able to join the school and I thought it good to let your hear from her point of view of how it’s going.

The Gospel Must Go Forth

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 21:04:29 +0000

I am so grateful that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not on lockdown. In a crazy world and crazy times we have a future and a hope. The future and that hope is based in the salvation of our souls and the reconciliation to God through the cross of Jesus Christ. Faith in his shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins is the only hope for mankind. Therefore the gospel must go forth. The gospel is not on lockdown. God won’t be masked, God won’t be muzzled, God won’t be toppled like some statue.

God Doesn't Do Social Distancing

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 21:33:59 +0000

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble…”

God doesn’t do social distancing and I am so glad about that. The whole world is willing to recognize that we are in very different times than ever before. We are all willing to recognize these are very troubled times yet still I find too few who are willing to recognize the truths found in Psalm 46. I would encourage you today to read through Psalm 46, to understand that the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Expanding Horizons

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 21:55:19 +0000

Funny thing about horizons… They have a way of continuing to expand.

This year has gotten off to a great start. Jenn and I were able to attend the Calvery Chapel missions conference which is always been a great treat for me. To be able to share it with my bride and ministry partner this year was like having my cake and eating it too. Being able to see old friends and meet new ones from all around the world really helped re-solidify the calling God has upon our lives. The feedback that I’ve gotten from every missionary I’ve talked to is that the ministry God has given us is so important. Some of them with tear-filled eyes tried to express their joy and gratitude for someone to care for them in the way the Lord has led us to do. Missionaries need care, missionaries are not super-spiritual Christian all-stars. Missionaries are normal people with normal hurts, fears, and issues. To let them know they are not forgotten and minister to them in every and any way that we can is our great passion and a God-given gift to us.

Acceptance is the Key, Surrender is the Answer

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:15:57 +0000

Happy New Year everyone. It’s hard enough to believe we’re heading into a new year let alone a new decade. My hope and prayers are that we would all seek the Lord with our whole heart leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledging Him in all that we do knowing that He will direct our path.

December 2019 closed out in an incredibly unexpected way. God continues to show me His amazing sovereignty and incredible ability to run my life if I will just let him. Last month I had shared with you all some of the frustrations I was experiencing and the place of acceptance I had come to inside of it. I truly believe that acceptance is the key, accepting that God is sovereign, accepting that I don’t always get my way, accepting that I don’t know what’s best in my life or the lives of others.

A Very Different Season

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 22:55:41 +0000

Many of you maybe wondering what has gone on since the 2019 Calvary School of Missions where I was fortunate to be able to lead the on-ground operations of the missions training school launched by Saving Grace World Missions. I do have to confess since then it has been quite an interesting season.

For a period of that time, quite frankly, I was asking myself what am I doing here?
This was the question, this has been the struggle. As I have returned to work here in the SGWM (Saving Grace World Missions) home office, fulfilling my duties as the Assistant Director as well as my role as associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace, I’ve asked myself a lot of questions. What am I doing here, why am I sitting in hours of meetings, why am I answering phones, why am I chasing emails, why am I dealing with traffic? Why, why, why? Well, a few answers became clear to me.
First of all because this is what God has called me to for this season. Even though my heart longs to be in the field and to be in the lives of missionaries, God has called me for the time being to pour into them from afar and take short visits to them.
Secondly, God has entrusted to my care several young men and women from the school who are now interning with us. The Lord has seen fit to allow me to pour into their lives, guide them, and direct them as they seek to acquire the skills and tools they will need to succeed on the mission field.

An Unexpected Twist to Missionary Care

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 18:45:10 +0000

I must admit that up until January of this year I have had a very limited view of missionary care.
Having just concluded a six week trip to Mexico where I had the privilege of leading the Calvary School of Missions, I struggle to find the words to express the joy and growth brought about through this experience. It has been difficult at times as I left my fiancé, Jenn at home but both of us see the sacrifice being well worth it. I spent the last six weeks watching seven young men and women seek the Lord for His will for their lives. The Calvary school of missions was a six-week intensive Missions training School focused on education in the morning hours, teaching students the Biblical philosophy of missions, cross-cultural ministry, church planting techniques, and so much more. The afternoons were filled with various types of outreach, homework, and lessons in self-care and relationship building.

That's What I Said

Sat, 13 Jul 2019 19:46:31 +0000

During this past month, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in what we call Missions Sunday here at my home church Calvary Chapel Saving Grace. This was a great opportunity to bring awareness to the congregation about the amazing work the Lord is doing among the nations through missionaries who set aside everything and sacrificing so much for the furtherance of the gospel.

During the main services, I was able to participate in a five-person Q&A panel from Saving Grace World Missions (SGWM). Our goal was to shed some light on the way SGWM gets to be used by the Lord in the Great Commission

It Just Keeps Getting Better

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 21:54:03 +0000

Hello everyone, we had a wonderful Mission trip to Peru where I was able to be a part of the leadership team for our high school and young adults mission trip. We spent 14 days journeying to Peru ministering there and returning. Calvary Chapel Huacho was our receiving church and ministry partners on the trip. Pastor Craig Tippie and his crew there took fantastic care of us.

Team Unity in Huacho

South for the Winter

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 16:47:39 +0000

South, South, South…..

Some birds fly south for the winter, some retired folk go south for the winter and that’s exactly what I found myself doing. Granted I’m not retired nor am I vacationing or engaged in any other activities the birds might be engaged in down South, but I found myself continuing to follow the call of the Lord upon my life in the South during the season. It started with a couple of trips to Oaxaca where I was able to join SGWM missionaries who are dear friends of mine as they sought for a place to plant a brand-new church in southern Mexico

Some Might Say I'm Crazy

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 17:56:06 +0000

For the last 17 years I have been able to serve the Lord on the front lines of the battle by doing ministry at Christ-Centered Residential Chemical Dependency treatment. I have had a front row seat to see the power of God in the transformation of men’s lives as we worked through the trauma, grief, abuse, neglect, and various other issues that arise from lives lived in rebellion to God. I have had the privilege of seeing men turn their lives back to the Lord, or come to Him for the first time ever, and get set free from the grip of the enemy and the bondage of sin.

Humility In Need

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 01:20:19 +0000

Over the last year and a half, I’ve gotten many lessons and realized more and more the lack of humility in my life. One of the biggest exposers of this issue has been need. Having stepped out of my career and ending the paycheck, I never realized how much I solved my problems by just buying what I wanted/needed. I always sought to honor God with my finances and feel I did a pretty good job but had no idea how many areas having a paycheck makes you not lean on God. There’s been no lack of lessons since I came to SGWM and they seem to be getting bigger and bigger. Last week right before the missions conference my car broke down for the final time.

Merry Christmas!

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 00:43:52 +0000

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I appreciate all of your love, prayers, encouragement and financial support. Because of you, I’ve been able to engage in many wonderful things this year. At the top of my list, is caring for and loving missionaries who have left their homes, families and American desires to further the Gospel around the world. I have been able to do this through telecommunications and technological tools along with personal visits to their homes and ministries.

Not So Dark

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:11:30 +0000

October is a month usually associated with darkness, a month where much wickedness is celebrated. I suppose this October wasn’t different for many, but for me, it was a month of celebrating much light and the grace of God in my life. You see, in October nineteen years ago I got radically born again, I’m sure it was a coincidence but that was also the last time I did drugs, alcohol or went to jail. I rejoice in the fact that the Lord rescued me from the Orange County jail cell where I was a physical and psychological mess and chose to set this sucked up ex-con on a path for His glory. October is not only a month that I celebrate salvation, sobriety and being returned to my right mind but it’s also a month that Jenn and I celebrate one year of our relationship. So October is full of celebrations and milestone memories for me. It also kicks off three of my most favorite months where it seems like opportunities to engage people in conversations about the Lord are more abundant. I’m looking forward to and taking advantage of these opportunities every chance I get.

The Struggle Is Real

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 19:25:09 +0000

I’m not sure why, but one of the hardest things for me to do is write an update letter. It’s not like there are no great things to report of what the Lord is doing or that there are no struggles or that life is not in session. But the reality of sitting down and putting pen to paper has been so difficult for me. Some would think that being a missionary in California, USA would not be hard at all. Although I am enjoying all the benefits of the United States of America there are still many difficulties involved in serving here. I think it’s also a matter I’m dying to self. I say that because one of the greatest difficulties for me is to talk about me and sometimes I feel like that’s what I’m doing in an update later. I also think there’s a spiritual component here at work. The reality of an update letter is to bring attention and glory to what God is doing in the midst of victories, trials, and defeats and I truly believe that this is met with a special level of opposition. In any event, thank you for letting me share my heart and my struggle. Since the last update later and coming back from South Asia there have been some big changes in my life. One of them being a lady ”friend” of mine that I have been seeing for almost a year now is now officially my girlfriend. This is a wonderful thing and she is a truly godly woman who is completely in love with Jesus and His word. Even though I truly believe the Lord is in this and my friends and church family totally love her, this is a whole new level of awkwardness and dying to self as I have not had anybody in my life for the last 14 years.

WOW!

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 22:24:23 +0000

It’s hard to believe that you can go so fast that you wind up way behind but that is exactly what happened to me. I’d like to ask your forgiveness for dropping off the map and not keeping you updated as to what the Lord has been doing in and through me. The last two months have been absolutely thrilling and although I am confident in my calling, it’s in the last few months that I have felt like I’ve been in the epicenter of God’s calling and purpose for my life here at Saving Grace World Missions. It started at the beginning of June with an incredible trip to South Asia. I want to thank you all so much for partnering with me through prayer and financially to make this trip possible. I was able to travel to all three of our Bible College locations in South Asia. I was able to visit with our national leaders, encourage our national missionaries and be a part of setting the curriculum for the next two years. The Lord is truly doing an amazing work in South Asia! The teams that He is bringing together, the properties and buildings He has supplied, and the students that have gathered for the next two years of Bible college classes truly reminds me that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we can ask or think. The stories are too big and the experiences too varied. We visited the Bible college campuses and journeyed to the villages where our graduates are ministering, they are witnessing to completely unreached Hindu people groups which are hearing the Gospel for the first time. We even saw one lady give her life to the Lord! I could not possibly write about it all in an update letter. So I’m making myself available to share personally with anybody who wishes to know more about the work in South Asia as well as my experiences there. Please contact me and I will gladly make the time to get together with you.

I Matter Too

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 19:17:00 +0000

Of course, at some level I knew this, but in the busyness of life, the whirlwind of ministry needs, and the clear call in Scripture to die to self, the fact that we matter too can get lost. I know that I can get so guarded against pride, ego, and any other self-centered characteristic that good godly self-care slips away and I actually become annihilated in the process.

Scripture is very clear that I matter / that we matter. Clearly, we matter to the Lord, for when we were dead in our trespasses and sins Christ died for us. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever (me) would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. I have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, and the Bible says that we are the apple of God’s eye…this means I matter.

You Matter

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 19:35:46 +0000

First of all, let me report to you that it has been an absolutely incredible month. I am so grateful for the people that I have in my life and the people that I have been able to meet as I have journeyed forth in this calling the Lord has placed on my life. The Lord has been impressing upon my heart how much people matter. It might seem hard to believe but in ministry, I have found that I can get so busy with tasks, moving from one project to another, that I blow right past the people the Lord has put in my path to minister to or even those He wants to use to minister to me. Sometimes I feel like Martha and I have to remember what the Lord said to her, that she had been distracted by serving. In a new and deeper way the Lord has put on my heart the importance of people, the importance of relationships, the importance of community and I value you all so much.

Time Flies By

Fri, 22 Dec 2017 23:45:00 +0000

First of all, let me wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it’s so true! A few weeks back I had a starry-eyed Holy Spirit filled Jesus loving new believer, (a young man at our church who shall remain nameless) look at me one day with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and declared to me “you have the best job ever,” and you know what? He’s right.

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Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:05:04 +0000

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