Pastor, Sullana, Peru

Daniel is the co-pastor of two different church plants in the Sullana, Peru area. The churches are Iglesia Bautista de la Gracia (Grace Baptist Church) and Word of Life Baptist Church (Iglesia Bautista Palabra de Vida). He is also the director of the Missionary Baptist Theological Seminary in Sullana and oversees Mission Mies which is a ministry that sends church planters throughout northern Peru.

Testimony and Calling

I was born in April of 1976. My father and mother are missionaries in northern Peru. Since I was born, I attended Sunday School and church with my family, and as I grew older I always read my Bible and sang hymns to the Lord.  Despite my religious devotions, I did not know the Lord and had no peace.  I would continue in sins such as lying and disobeying my parents, but had no true repentance.

When I was eight years old I began to understand the Word of God. I began to see that I was not saved and that I was going to lose my life in hell.  The first Sunday of March in 1984, I heard my father preach a sermon on hell.  I realized that I was on the road to that place, and that Christ did not dwell in my heart.  When my father finished his sermon, he gave an invitation, to which I responded.  I was eight years old and very small for my age. Because of this, some people laughed at me when I went forward to profess Christ, but I was serious.  I had come to receive Christ as my Savior.  The counselors did not talk to me because they did not take me seriously, but when I arrived at my house, my father came to me, and explained the Gospel in a way that I could truly understand.  I prayed to Christ and told him that I was repenting of my sins that I had committed, and I received him into my heart.  That moment I gave my life to Christ and Christ began to govern me.

From the moment of my conversion my life began to change. I became a better student and began to live the Christian life as Christ wanted.  I began to read the Bible more and to understand the life of Christ.  A week after my conversion, I went with my father to the Chira River and he baptized me there.  My father and I were the only ones at the river and yet I believe that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were also present.  I was very happy that day because I knew that I had obeyed the Lord.

After my baptism, my father took me with him as he ministered. Wherever he preached in the city or in the mountains or even at the funerals, he took me with him.  I would watch how my father preached to the people and how many times the multitudes would repent of their sins and receive Christ.  From my father, I began to learn about the ministry and the desire began to grow in me to be like my father.

When I was nine years old I directed my first youth meeting. Some people laughed because I was so small, but for me it was a great joy, because I knew I was serving the Lord in my youth as He commanded.  Even though I was too young, I always attended the youth meetings at our Church.  I learned much from studying the Bible and when I was 13 years old, I became the youth leader.  As a youth leader I began to realize how many young people are in the world and are lost.  One day I told the Lord that I did not only want to be a Christian, but that I wanted to serve him to rescue the people who were on their way to hell.  That day I gave all my life to the ministry - to the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and to making disciples of Christ.

When I graduated from High School, I went to Lima and studied with Missionary Paul Washer and attended his Church. After one year, I decided to go to Seminary and dedicate myself to studying the Word of God and preparing myself for every aspect of the ministry.  I learned much about doctrine and was able to read the entire Bible several times.  I also learned about the false religions and cults that are deceiving the people of this world and sending them to hell.  I learned how to refute their false doctrines and rescue people from their lies.  I also learned much about missions.  The three years I spent in the seminary helped me a great deal to be ready for the work of the ministry.  In 1997, I graduated from seminary.  My only goal now is to serve Christ full time, to work for Him, to dedicate my life to the preaching of the Gospel and the making of disciples of Jesus Christ.  I like to lead music and I play many instruments - guitar, organ, accordion, flute, but my one passion is preaching the Gospel.

Through my father, hundreds of churches have been started in the department of Piura. But almost all the Churches have lay pastors that need preparation.  They are greater men than I and preach the Gospel well.  I do not feel as though I am worthy to teach them, but I know they need what the Lord has taught me.  There are many strange doctrines and false Christians that are invading all the Churches.  They try to carry away the sheep and to divide the fold.  The pastors need more instruction so that they can contend for the faith that was once and for all given to us.  I want to help them in the battle, teach them to be strong in Bible doctrine and to better serve their congregations.  I want to teach the Church how to win more young people to the Lord and help them to live for Christ in a way that will glorify the God.  I also want to go and preach the Gospel where it has never been preached before.  Nothing else matters to me.  I will go where the Lord sends me, whether it be the mountains or the jungles.

In every place where I walk and live I want to preach the Gospel and the good doctrine that God has left us in his Word. I give thanks to God that He has chosen me, saved me and put me in the ministry.  I realize that I deserve nothing from the Lord, but I owe Him much. I want to dedicate my life to Him because He gave his life to me.  I know there is little time and that the coming of the Lord is drawing near.  We must preach the Gospel every day and not lose time.  Please pray for me, that I might be a man of God, a man of the Word and a man of prayer.  Pray also that I might be a soul-winner and faithful preacher of the Gospel.  Please pray for me that I will live as Christ lived and walk as He walked.  Thank you very much for your prayers and support of the ministry God has given me.  May the Lord bless you.

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