Let’s believe together in the saving power of Jesus, and the great mission ahead of us to make disciples of all nations.

I know you are thinking this is going to be an “ask for money” letter. Actually, we are fully funded. Yep, you read right, fully funded.

A few years ago my wife and I had two boys living with us as a part of the Arizona foster care system. One of the boys used to love a song by Marshmello which sings “I just want to let you know I’m proud.”

Last Sunday we were gathered together singing about the powerful name of Jesus when something different occurred. The one leading the song sang the same melody, to the same music, but began to sing in a different language. He used words from his native tongue, Spanish, to express the same sentiments we had been singing in English.

Mario Benavides and Mark Buckley met 10 years ago in Ecuador. At the time, Mark Buckley was the senior pastor at Living Streams Church and Mario was an elder at Iglesia Verbo Manosca church. They both describe their meeting as a significant moment in the Spirit. (For Christians, “in the Spirit” is a phrase referencing the fact that God is Spirit and the physical world He made has a spiritual component to it. As Christians, we are taught to acknowledge and give priority to the spiritual components.)

I find it interesting what has happened this past week. Alec Seekins preached a message at our church last Sunday, giving a Biblical perspective on unintended pregnancy and abortion. The next day we all heard about the Supreme Court leak regarding Roe v. Wade. And this Sunday, we are having a special service for Mother’s Day. With all that in mind, here are some thoughts.

Once in 4th grade my teacher handed out a paper and said to read the instruction at the top before answering the questions. When I received my paper, I read a few questions and they seemed super easy, so I jumped right in.

It was 6:00am. 80 seventh graders and 13 adult chaperones—who had driven six hours out of Phoenix—arrived at the ocean before the sun rose. They boarded a boat to Catalina Island, anticipating a day of fun and some scientific education.

The last two weeks have gotten me all charged up. First, my family spent spring break at a friend’s house in Rocky Point. What got me embistió (charged up) was two different things: 1) our three run-ins with the policía and 2) the amazing beach views from the house we stayed in.

Last Sunday I shared with our congregation some reports from our missionaries close to the war in Ukraine. The first was a report from Billy Miller, who has been doing ministry in Romania for the last 10 years, but felt compelled by God’s Spirit to go into Ukraine and find a way to serve those in need.

in January of this year I completed 6 years of being the lead pastor at Living Streams. It has been awesome. I have enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. My family has enjoyed it a lot more than I thought they would. Our elder team, direction team, and staff are enjoying a strong sense of unity and momentum. And with all that going so …

Last Sunday I preached about Israel being invaded by neighboring countries during Jehoshaphat’s reign. As I walked out of the sanctuary a man asked me if I knew Russia had moved troops into Ukraine and was about to attack. I knew something was up, but didn’t know how imminent combat was. As Jehoshaphat was told the really bad news of war…

Martin Luther King Jr. was the face and voice of a beautiful, powerful awakening in American history. Though imperfect, he and others who proclaimed the message of love and justice were used by God as modern-day prophets to make some crooked places straight. I am thankful for their words, actions and vision, as well as the good …

First, let me introduce you to Nathan Del Turco. Nathan has been on Living Streams staff for a year and serves as the Creative Arts Director. The only word you really need pay attention to from that last sentence is “serves.” Nathan serves. Like Jesus, Nathan sees himself as the servant of all. Nathan has not come to be served, but to serve. He is …

Walking on air. Over the moon. On cloud nine. Grinning from ear to ear. On top of the world. Tickled pink. These are all idioms for joy. “Walking on air” describes joy as a feeling like there is no more burden and not even gravity can get you down. “Over the moon” and “On cloud nine” again connect with weightlessness, but add an out-of-this-world …

This is not complaining. It is testifying. Yesterday, I woke up and everything was okay. I didn’t sleep that great, but it’s been par for the course ever since we decided to tile our house while living there, with full-time jobs, and three daughters. Back to the testifying…
I was feeling okay and started working my way through my daily responsibilities. As I …

Yesterday I saw an old friend that I haven’t seen in a long time. We were best friends all through elementary school. We’ve seen each other a little since then, but it had been at least ten years since the last time. He gave me a big hug and we caught up a little bit. When we started talking about the new year, he asked me if I had any insider information. He asked it with a smile…

The summer after I graduated high school I was looking for something to do before my fall plans kicked in. I got a job at Subway because I had a connection and I heard you get a free sub every day. It was fine, but after a week of working there, a friend told me about a trip his church was taking to Mexico to work with orphans and rescue a boat.