Two Missionaries. One Call.

One nervous “I don’t feel ready” night can change everything. We sit down at the Beyond Sunday table with Mark and Chacho from United in Christ Ministry Worldwide, missionaries serving since 2000, and walk through the real story of how God connected them through street evangelism and turned that moment into a lifelong partnership in the gospel.

We talk global Christian missions in a grounded way: where their team serves across the United States and Mexico, plus ministry connections reaching India, Israel, and Brazil, and even prayerful steps toward Poland. But the heart of the conversation stays personal. Brother Mark shares how growing up around Sunday church without weekday faith pushed him away, and how Jesus met him anyway. Brother Chacho opens up about success that still felt empty, religion without relationship, and the instant difference he felt when he surrendered to Christ.

From there, we get practical about discipleship and everyday evangelism. We unpack why God often sends people out in pairs, how accountability and complementary gifts keep ministry healthy, and how discouragement can quietly grow into quitting if we don’t confront it early. We also share what short-term mission trips can do for your faith: learning to pray in public, share your testimony, and seeing your hometown as a mission field again.

If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs fresh courage, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of your life needs a simple yes to Jesus today?

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:07

What's

Welcome And Meet The Missionaries

SPEAKER_03 0:08

going on, everybody? Welcome to another episode of Beyond Sunday. I'm your host, Pastor Lee Day, and I pastor Christ Family Outreach Church, located in Amelia Courthouse, Virginia. And if you've not yet made your way out to visit with us at one of our services, we would love to see you. I would consider it an honor if you'd come out and worship Almighty God the Father with us. Today I have two very, very special people in the Lord with me. This is their first time ever sitting around the table here at Beyond Sunday. Brother Mark and Brother Chacho from United in Christ are here. Brother Chacho, how are you doing? I'm doing okay, Pastor. Yes, amen. And Brother Mark, you? Very blessed, Pastor.

SPEAKER_00 0:48

This is a blessing to be here today.

SPEAKER_03 0:50

Yes, all for God's glory. And that's why we do this show. That's why we do this podcast to just point people to Jesus Christ. Amen. And that's what we want to do in this episode because you guys are missionaries. Yes.

Where United In Christ Serves

SPEAKER_03 1:02

How long have you been serving the Lord as missionaries?

SPEAKER_00 1:05

Pastor, it's been since the year 2000, serving on the mission field.

SPEAKER_03 1:09

Amen. Amen. Brother Chacho, if you could share with us where are some of the places, if someone was to contact you all through social media or through email or phone or whatever, where are some of the places that United in Christ is working around the world right now for the glory of God?

SPEAKER_01 1:26

Yes, Pastor. We are actually, we started in the United States and then Mexico. We also are in India, Israel, and Brazil. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_03 1:35

And you told me earlier that you guys are looking at uh starting to work in Poland. Poland. Yes. Is it too early for me to say that? Or it's good. So that lets the people know to pray, right? I mean, how amazing is that? And what what I think is so cool about that is these are Mexican missionaries that are gonna go do a work in Poland. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 1:58

So that's huge. It's amazing, Pastor. It's it actually what we would say it surprised us when the couple came to us to tell us they have a heart that God had put Poland on their heart.

SPEAKER_03 2:10

Yeah, I mean that that's amazing. So Brazil, Israel, you know, I just think that that is absolutely amazing that God has taken the two of you and used it all for his glory and expanded, expanded heaven on earth, if you will, a representation of what the family of God is supposed to look like. It's it's not just a a people group or a tribe or a nation. We're we're all God's family coming together, and one day we'll be in one house.

SPEAKER_02 2:42

Yes, we'll be in one kingdom in one day.

SPEAKER_03 2:46

And I just think that's beautiful. So a lot of people that may be listening to this know where you guys are now, but I thought it would be really cool to give them the testimony of how it began, of how it all started. So, Brother Mark, will you share that?

SPEAKER_00 3:02

How did you come to know Brother Chacho? Okay.

Mark’s Story From Church To Jesus

SPEAKER_00 3:05

Well, to start out is really how I came to know Jesus, or Jesus came and saved my life. Amen. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and um in a church going home, but I would say not a really a Christian home because we would go to church on Sunday, but live a different way in the in the home. And that was my parents growing up. And for me as a young person, it really um affected me as far as what was real. So I said, well, if this is faith, I really don't want anything to do with it. Wow, because it wasn't real. We we said something Sunday, and then my parents lived something different during the week. And so as a young person, I rejected church, but it led me on a search, really, searching for purpose, searching for meaning. And at the age of 21, I came really at a young age, but at the end of my rope, you know, living a life that was not pleasing to God, living a worldly life. And that's where Christ encountered me. And when he did, when Jesus saved me, my heart was just, I want to do whatever you want, God. I just I want to know you. I want to know your word. I want to follow you with my life. Didn't know all that that meant. Um, one interesting thing though, my parents used to host missionaries from Kenya, Africa to come when they were on sabbatical, resting. Right. And so we would have dinner with them and got to know them. And I would tell my mom after they left, I was like, you know what? I don't really want to give my life to God because I don't want to do that. I felt like if I give my life to God, he's gonna make me a missionary. I'm like, I don't want, I don't want to do that. All these years later. Yes. But when I when Jesus met me, but then it was like, Lord, if you would give me the honor to be a missionary. And so just the Lord guiding uh through my pastors and and being mentored, they guided me to a Bible school, let me know about a Bible school in Pensacola, Florida. And so in 1997, left Ohio to go to Florida, and uh in the Bible school, so it was you know biblical teaching, theological teaching, ministerial, you know, preparation. Right. One of the uh things we had to be involved in was practical

Street Evangelism That Changed Everything

SPEAKER_00 5:50

ministry. Okay. And so practical ministry for me, I chose evangelism, which was street evangelism out on the street. Yeah, I loved it. And so we would go on Fridays and Saturdays, and sometimes up to two, 200 students out on the streets of Pensacola, Florida, outside bars, clubs, um, anywhere people gathered, that's where we would go. And so we went on a group of five of us. We were in teams of five, and we went out to uh just share the gospel. But that particular night, it was a Friday night, I didn't want to go. I felt intimidated, I felt unspiritual, like the least equipped to go out to evangelize. But I went out probably more out of obligation. Yeah. And so that's how I went out. That was where my thoughts were. But when we went out, met two guys or tried to engage two guys on a sidewalk, and I said, Hey, can we talk to you? These guys acted like I wasn't even there, they didn't even respond. But in my heart, I'm like, that's cool, because I really didn't want to talk to anyone anyway. So I was like, It worked out for you. Yeah. But then we continued and we went up, and then we're outside a bar, and that is where I see a guy coming towards the bar. And again, just being there says, Well, okay, might as well try it again, and started to talk and engage in a conversation, and that was Brother Chacho before he was Brother Chacho. He he was going into a bar Friday night to meet some friends, but when we started talking, it was the Holy Spirit that really sort of gave me a shakeup. Like, look, this guy is really open, yeah, and everything sharing, like about scripture, about Jesus, he was like a sponge, literally like a sponge, just taking it in. And I realized this is God, this is God doing something in this man's life. And it felt like we talked an hour, I don't know how long, yeah, but we talked and just explaining like this is what it means to follow Jesus. And and he just received, he received the word, and then we said at the end, we said, if you really want to meet Jesus, well, you can get on your knees right here outside this bar. Yeah. And he's like, Yes.

SPEAKER_03 8:29

You know, there's two things that come out of that that I just want to point out that I just think are amazing. I mean, it's all amazing, but two things I really want to touch on. Number one, you didn't want to be a Christian because you saw your parents doing one thing one day, something completely different, a complete contrast six other days out of the year, right? And I think that that should be a wake-up call and an encouragement at the same time for the mothers and fathers that are listening to this episode right now to say, be careful how you're living. Because you do not want your children resenting the church based off of your actions, mom and dad. Yes. You do not want your children thinking, well, God's not real because I don't see him at all in my house. The the word of God must not be valued because my family doesn't talk about it. Yes. So I think that that's huge because our children are watching us as adults, totally, as parents, as grandparents. Do we honor the Lord or not? The other thing I wanna I want to pick out right there is you were feeling unequipped to go out.

SPEAKER_04 9:38

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 9:39

Imagine if you would have let that feeling become an excuse and keep you home. Yes. Imagine what would have happened if you didn't go out that night because you would have listened to the the the enemy trying to keep you out. You would have listened to to your own mind saying, I'm not good enough, I'm not equipped enough. And you don't meet your partner in the Lord in ministry. I mean, that is huge. Yes, yes. Because the two of you need each other equally on this mission field. You need Chacho just as much as Chacho needs you.

SPEAKER_00 10:14

Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_03 10:15

And it's a beautiful relationship in Christ that God is using the two of you to represent his name. And this is what I love about it. Anybody that spends time in United in Christ and with you too, it takes the both of you. And that's what's so beautiful about it. You know what I mean? It it takes the both of you to make this ministry work. And God uses two, he sends people out in two. We see that in scripture. Yes, yeah you know, so so you've got the two. And Chacho, if you would touch on that point for for a moment, brother.

Why God Sends People In Two

SPEAKER_03 10:50

Why do you why have you seen over the years why it's so important to have two? Two equals going out in the name of the Lord. How has it blessed you to have Mark and and and vice versa? What's the importance in two in ministry?

SPEAKER_01 11:05

I think one is it's the obedience to God's word, yeah that two are better than one. Yes. And the second thing will be accountability. That's good. And I love to see also on third, how the body, you know, the things that I don't think about Brother Mark does. Yeah. Uh his gifts really I really value. Yeah. And I don't have to be what he is. Right. That's a good word. I I really like I'm trying to be very creative, and and um when I don't know something, I was like, ah, Brother Mark knows. So I can really call him, yeah, uh, I can bring this issue to him. Um, between the two of them, we can you know develop this. And um he uh has those gifts and talents and ideas that I don't have. Yeah, yeah. So um it really helps me refocus. Um, I don't feel alone. Yeah, I can talk to the Lord and somebody. And I guess fourth, it could just be also a prayer partner.

SPEAKER_03 12:18

Yeah, that's it.

SPEAKER_01 12:18

Because it's worth it's it's really wonderful to be able to pray with somebody and to agree with you.

SPEAKER_03 12:26

Yeah, yeah. One of the most powerful things that I think, at least that I got out of what you just said, and and I know there's gonna be other people in leadership in church that are listening to this right now that were just blessed by something you just said, you don't have to be Mark.

unknown 12:42

No.

SPEAKER_03 12:42

I think that oftentimes that hinders people, especially in church leadership. If we could just touch on this for a moment, they get envious or jealous of the pastor or the worship leaders or the youth pastor. They're serving under them faithfully, you know, but then they get jealous because they don't have the position that their leader has, you know. And man, I think that that's so beautiful. I don't have to be him or I don't have to be her, you know, because it all comes down to what has God called me to do? Yes. And that's what we have to focus on. What has God called me to do? And I think that that alleviates so much pressure in leadership. But you know what else it does? It knocks the devil's legs right out from under them when you're like, you know what? I'm not, I'm not playing this game with you, devil. I'm not, I'm not going there. You can't pin me against my brother or sister in leadership in Christ because I already know I can't be Mark, or I can't be Chacho, or I can't be, you know, Pastor Lee, or I can't be the worship leaders. You know what I'm saying? Like I love that, man. What you just said, I think is so valuable because it should free some people up that are listening, that are struggling, looking at somebody rather than God. So, so, so Chacho, here you meet a young Mark.

Chacho’s Emptiness And New Life

SPEAKER_03 14:01

Yes, and and and and one thing that he says was is like you were you were ready. You know, you're you're you're right for the picking. You're ready. What's going on in your life as you're walking up to meet your friends in this bar that made you ready? Were you broken? Was it a series of events? Was something happening in life? What made you ready?

SPEAKER_01 14:24

Really? It wasn't because of money, or it wasn't because of a position because you were successful, right? You you were already successful in in the world. Yes. Yes. So it wasn't that it wasn't like many problems in my life, except you know, work uh worries, but um no, I think it was the emptiness in my life and my heart that even sometimes when you feel like there's so many people surrounding you, you're still empty.

SPEAKER_03 14:53

Yeah, so the success didn't fulfill that whole the money that you made didn't in the title that didn't satisfy you. There was something that still left you empty.

SPEAKER_01 15:04

Yes, and it really, Pastor, I it has to do with uh religion. Religion, uh I was in a religion that did not fulfill my life. Yeah, you know, I was in a religion that I was very, very faithful to for years since I was uh uh a young person, yeah, but um it was not satisfying. I had no relationship, no relationship, it was just religion. So I hear the word of God as brother Mark shared with me, and the word of God, the Holy Spirit had to pin me there. I was obviously very ready because when he told me, kneel down and I obey the Lord. I knew it was his word convicting me. Yeah, of course, in that time I didn't know what the word conviction was, right? Right, but um, you know, the Lord have convicted me, and uh I knelt down and and I said, Yes, Lord, I will follow you. Yeah, um so it it was uh I will say I was ready and ready to to move forward with him.

SPEAKER_03 16:18

Yeah, and and immediately when you when you accepted Christ into your life, what did you what did you feel right away? What's going on in your mind, in your heart?

SPEAKER_01 16:28

Walk us through to just uh um brother Mark asked me that and I said um brother Mark when I opened my eyes, I felt like all this weight I I had on me, it was gone. As I stood up, I felt dignity and respect. Wow, um with me again, wow, I feel I felt this innocence you know, yeah, that I never had experienced before.

SPEAKER_03 16:59

A fresh start, a new life, yes, born again, yes, and Jesus tells us in his word that unless a man is born again, right, he cannot enter into heaven. So we must be we must be born again. Yes, a lot of people see your ministry for where it is today, but for people that are maybe struggling in ministry, for people that are maybe considering just getting into ministry and they don't know how to do it because maybe they look around and they don't see anything or a little bit of something. I think you both have seen God do great things through nothing. You know, he doesn't need the ingredients to speak something, his word is enough, yeah, right? So, so just kind of share with the people who who may already know just how large United in Christ is for the glory of

Building A Ministry Focused On Souls

SPEAKER_03 17:47

God. What did you start out with? So, so so so you guys, you you've you've got this vision, right, of what God wants you to do. What did United in Christ look like in the very beginning? What did it start out with? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:01

Well, one thing I'm thinking, so we were started, we knew the Lord had called us to missions, right? And we actually um went to a it's called a missions agency that sends out missionaries. We did an interview there, but when we went there, Pastor, we just felt it wasn't the fit, you know. There was a lot of talk about money, finances, and we understand that's part.

SPEAKER_03 18:29

Right.

SPEAKER_00 18:29

We didn't have that, but we were like, that's we wanted souls. Our heart was like, no, Jesus sent us for souls. We got to go share about the souls, you know. And they were talking more about finances. So we left that and we're like, you know, that's not it after we talked. And then um, the Lord opened the door through a worker that uh brother Chacho worked with an attorney, and he's the one the Lord used to open up United in Christ. So it really wasn't even our idea because that we're like, we just want to be on the field, right? Right, but the leading people to Jesus. Yeah, and then the Lord opened up the ministry. So, really, even from the get-go, Pastor, there's never been a desire for a ministry. And it's still really, if in that sense, we're not after that. We are we want to fulfill what God's called us to. And so then then the Lord has, you know, the ministry has its place, you know, and we have to steward what God has done. But it has helped us keep focused on what God has called us to.

SPEAKER_03 19:44

Amen. Amen. Yeah, so you didn't start out with the vans or the dorms or the nice apartment uh rooms or the school, you know, uh you didn't start out with with with all of that, all of the many different churches in Mexico, and you know, it's just one step at a time, wanting to lead people to Jesus, right? Pointing them to God through Christ. And just as that's been happening, God raises these things up. He he raises these ministries, these churches up. He he raises pastors and pastors' wives to come in and be there, you know, at the churches or at the soup kitchens, right? I mean, this is just amazing how God does it because you're right. Your heart wasn't about having the ministry, it was just about preaching the gospel. Amen. It was and and and I know that God has rewarded you two because of the heart. Your heart was right and pure on the matter. You know, that this is not about money, this is not about, this is not about buildings, this is not about vans, this is not about dorms, this is about Jesus. Yes, and whatever God wants to provide in the process, that's a blessing. Yes, and that's a that's favor and that's honor, you know, to be able to walk and steward those things, as you mentioned, but but this is about Jesus.

One Person A Day And A Mission Everywhere

SPEAKER_03 21:04

So yesterday we spent some time together, and Chacho, you shared, uh well, it may have been Mark, one of you, you shared with me that uh you've got a goal that's someone a day, right? Yeah, at least one person a day. So share one of you, share what that looks like. And and that's any any part of your ministry all over the world, but one person a day, share that.

SPEAKER_01 21:26

Yes. So the vision of Uniting Christ is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. And um of course they have to be presented with the message of salvation. Yes. Um, and they um we always pray uh to the Lord that at least one person per day, whatever the ministry is, you know, in any of the locations, any of our missionaries there in United Christ, that one person a day will come to Christ. Yeah, Christ.

SPEAKER_03 21:53

I I I look at that and it helps me know another way that I can be praying for United. In Christ's ministry. I think that that's great. And maybe there's other people that are listening to this episode where they can hold that same value, that same vision, you know, to say, hey, I want my church or I want my ministry or even within my own personal life. I want to start leading someone to Christ every day. I want to present the gospel. Yes. Every single day.

SPEAKER_01 22:26

And we'll see what the Holy Spirit does to all of that. That is that is so important because sometimes we can't go to the mission field. And yes, you pray for the missionaries and yes, you send money. But I think you are, you could be your own missionary where you're at. Yes. And that is, um, I love what Brother Mark uh always through the years have taught me. And um we're shopping at Walmart for groceries, and all of a sudden, Brother Mark is right next, not next to me. Yeah. You know, yeah. I I I could be just uh looking at some of the cans and see what uh has on the back of the cans, you know, the calories and all that. And I'm talking, and then people start looking at me like, who is he talking to? I turn around, and usually Brother Mark is praying for that person that is in need in a wheelchair or an elderly person or somebody that the Lord just sends them to. And through the years, we have walked like that. Praise God. You know, um, wherever we go, wherever we're at, is the mission feel. Amen. Um, not too long ago, I was shopping, brother Mark was in West Virginia. So I I went shopping to this uh uh Mexican uh grocery store in uh Brownsville, Texas. I hardly ever go to that one. I think I don't remember last time I went there. And then the Lord led me to this young man that was looking at some of the protein uh uh powders and all that. Yes, yes, and he asked me a question and that was it. But later, I um was looking for my car on the parking lot, and I made a mistake. Uh, it wasn't the area, so I tried to go back to the beginning when I faced this young man again. Yeah, and um then he stops and he goes, Hey, how are you? And I was like, and the Lord says, talk to him about me. Wow. And so I stopped, I began to talk to him. We were there, I don't know, 30, 45 minutes. He uh was away from the Lord since he was a young man, and um he had been relocated from a state in in the United States, and he was down south now in Brownsville, working for a company. And we prayed, he says, Let me know. He says, Whenever I was a young person, my aunt you know, always would share, would take me to church, and I will always say, I want to be a missionary. Wow. So um he, this is the second time he attends two Sundays, he's been attending the church.

SPEAKER_03 25:13

Come on, praise God. So so the mission field is everywhere. Everywhere, it's everywhere. Um it's nice to get on a on a on a plane and go fly across the world, but you know, there's always that that saying, as we're flying across the world to go do a mission trip, we're passing the mission field all up underneath. It's everywhere. Yeah, it's it's everywhere.

SPEAKER_00 25:33

And we need to keep our eyes open to that. Totally. We we believe for all Christians, it's to live a life on mission, the mission of Christ, of sharing the gospel. And so for any of us, if if you're uh uh a mother at home, if you're working, you know, at a convenience store, wherever you're at, wherever we're at, we are a mission, missionary to serve the purpose of Christ. So that's what we aim to do, Pastor. You know, we go to Walmart, we we wherever we go, we're trying to see for the opportunities that the Holy Spirit will open up. Yeah. And if we do that, it's amazing, just like Brother Chacho said, the Lord has people that are ready to receive. And so that's how we have to be attentive to the Lord, uh, willing, yeah, and he'll do the work. Yeah,

Discouragement In Ministry And How To Stand

SPEAKER_00 26:32

yeah.

SPEAKER_03 26:32

I've got a question that I've never asked you guys this, but I think that any person that has any longevity in ministry faces at least once. You don't need to give details, but has there ever been a time when life, the enemy, whatever struggles were hitting you that you thought I might I might stop, not believing, but I might withdraw from ministry for a while? Have you ever been under attack before where the enemy has tried to convince you that what God has called you to, you need to stop? And the reason I ask that is because odds are there's someone listening who might be on the edge of giving up and giving in to the enemy when God has called them not to stop. I know I have been there. I've been there before where I've been so frustrated with ministry three different times, three different times that I've come home, I've looked at my wife, and I said, That's it, we're moving. She says, Where are you going? I said, We're going to the mountains of Tennessee. And she says, Well, where are you gonna go? I said, We're going to the smoky mountains. Not even my parents or your parents are gonna know where we're going, and we're just gonna go get a little cabin by a stream somewhere where I could just sit on the porch, talk to God, hear from God, and just enjoy the creation of God. And she looks at me and she says, Not even your parents? I said, That's right, nobody. And we're gonna put a gate up at the end of the driveway so nobody can accidentally come down it and talk to me. And and I think how silly it is because if I'm really gonna go sit on that little cabin porch overlooking that stream to listen to God, God would say, What in the world are you doing? I've not called you out in these hills to live. What are you doing? Get your butt back to Amelia County, Virginia, where I've called you to preach. Go back to that building that I've called you to give my word in. You know, so I'm just being honest. There's there's been times where I've allowed people to wear on me. And can I just say that all three times that that's happened in in about a 30-year period, three times, I've looked and said, not that I want to give up on God, but I just want to give up on a call. Just being real. Um, all three of those times when I let people affect me, it was simply because I wasn't looking at God in the moment. I was looking at the person. I was looking at the person who was lying, who was doing the verbal attacks, totally not telling the truth, wearing me out simply because I wasn't suited up in the armor in the moment. I had set the armor down when I never should have. Yes. And it's not about a lack of faith, it's just about being tired. Have you guys ever experienced that before?

SPEAKER_01 29:37

Oh, yes, Pastor. Yes. We we have, and and good thing is that we share about it, you know, yeah, and I think that's so important. You talk about it. Yeah, we talk about it. The enemy um tries and puts uh lies or situations that you go through in life, not good situations, to uh discourage you. And so that is very important that you be able to, and the Holy Spirit uh will let you know when it's discouragement. So you you need to you know stop that discouragement. Yeah, what it really helps is your relationship with the Lord has to be strong, yeah. Not that we um said that we would like to uh leave the Lord, no. But uh like you were saying, uh the the work of God. And so um I I believe that one thing is to stop the discouragement, and then the next thing is that um that you are able to pinpoint and say, okay, this is the problem. Uh we talk about it, and then uh it goes back to a commitment. You really have to look at the vision that God has called you to do, that God has you know put you in this earth and in the ministry. Right. So we have to go back to the commitments and saying, okay, I like I'm married, I have to commit myself to that, you know, or or I'm working and I committing myself to this ministry. This is my call. And so we have experienced that. I think with me, and uh last night we were just talking about it, it is the illnesses. Sometimes the enemy attacks me with um, it could be different types of uh illnesses or the way I feel physically, right? Um, maybe my age, you know, I don't know. It's not an excuse, but I've seen that whenever I'm able to identify it, and before I even get into the discouragement, I go to the Lord and his word that tells me by his stripes I'm healed. And then I get this strength. Um, and one thing, Pastor, that really has helped me a lot. Uh, I guess you know us, it's like the joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Yes. And it's not that the the problem will go away, or it's not that you know things are not there, but the joy of the Lord has been my strength. And so it's like you have to make the the word of God reality in your life, and then the situation, the problem, um, I still might have a headache, but this I I keep like in the word of God by his stripes, I'm healed. I'm healed, I'm healed. So really, I still allow not the discouragement to take over to the next step. It will be quitting, yeah, leaving. Yeah, because then because of your call that you have in life, the Lord is gonna get you back. Amen. Amen. You're not gonna be satisfied, you're not gonna be content in what you're doing. If you are like me, you probably will be discouraged because you cut it short.

SPEAKER_03 32:55

Yeah, yeah. That's so good. That seed of discouragement. If we water that or we allow it to be watered, you're right. The next thing that's coming up is quitting, get get giving up. And I think that's where it's so important that our circle of people really matter. Yes, because we need people that we can talk to to say, I'm I'm I'm discouraged on this thing here. I need you to help me see this clearly because I'm not hearing or thinking or seeing clearly right now. I need you to help me. And I think it's important because the truth is we all need someone to help lift us up. I mean, think about Moses with Aaron and her up on the hill. Yes, yeah, you know, and as long as Moses had his hands lifted, the battle, the Israelites were winning down below, but he would get tired and his his arms would come down, and Aaron and her are right there lifting his arms back up. And we need people that are willing to lift us and and support us up. And really, I know that that's one of the reasons God sends people in twos. Yes, you know, so you have someone there in those quiet, lonely moments to talk about.

SPEAKER_00 33:58

Yes, Pastor. One thing that comes to my mind is uh the apostle Paul. So in uh the book of Acts, where they were going through um the storm, if you remember that storm, and the people despaired, all the people, the sailors, everyone despaired of life. They thought it was over. Right. Um, but it says that the Lord visited Paul or an angel of the Lord or the Lord, but he he received a visitation from God, and then the next day he was able to share. He's like, Look, I'm gonna tell you what God told me, and it it gave hope to not just to Paul, but to the whole, the whole boat. And so that's so good. I and I we can say that we have seen that where the Lord, we can only say in those low moments, really in those low moments, it has been the Lord who comes and intervened in our our point. Maybe we were thinking of like that's it. Yeah, and and we can look back and say, Jesus, you, you know, you are faithful, you're covenant, you are true. And he's working out his his good work in us in the midst of those, you know, low spots in ministry. So thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_03 35:25

Amen. Amen. I think that's some great advice right there for someone that may just be considering to give up, go find somebody that they trust who is a believer, a mature believer of the faith, yes, and that they could encourage them and walk with them through the word of God and through prayer. Yes.

Keeping Jesus First So Work Stays Ministry

SPEAKER_03 35:43

What would you guys say has helped you both remain focused in making sure that you keep Christ first in the ministry? What would you say, Brother Mark? What is it that helps you guys stay focused that no matter how big this gets, no matter how many people come and serve and volunteer, how do you make sure that you're keeping this focus on Jesus first? Yes.

SPEAKER_00 36:10

I believe, Pastor, it's it's the just the relationship with Jesus. Like he says in John 15, if you abide in me, I will abide in you. And so that discipline, I would say it's a discipline of, you know, just being in the word. The basics for any believer is staying in the word of God, staying in fellowship with God. And when we're not have that focus, I mean, I can confess where there's been times where I haven't kept that, and I can feel the difference. I see the difference in my own life. And so that abiding, that that true fellowship, a vital connection with Christ, that's that's where everything flows out of him, out of out of Christ. And so if we don't remain there, then nothing else matters. You know, it it nothing else matters. Not any project, any building. It has to be that walk with Jesus in, and that's key. And that itself keeps us in line, you know, that keeps us like, okay, we know what we're called to, we know what what you want of us, Lord. So, but it's really that that friendship, that fellowship with the Lord.

SPEAKER_01 37:38

Uh, you know, about the same question. So I think what has helped us a lot is the outexamination, you know, uh daily. Yeah. And uh one of the things that we end up um, Brother Mark and I reflecting on is like uh sometimes your work, your situation, your family, problems of the people, problems in general, the ministry, you know, can really get you away from the presence of God or focusing in in God. And um we can actually live for years, probably just doing work. And so ministry turns into be work instead of really a product of your relationship with Jesus. So we really have to always check ourselves, yeah. Um, you know, art examinate us, and um, that really has helped us to be maintained.

SPEAKER_03 38:29

That's good. Making sure that ministry hasn't just become work, yes, but it's remaining ministry because it's when it's ministry, it's all about doing it for Jesus. Amen. When it's work, you know what I mean? That that can become, we can work for the Lord, but we want to make sure that our mindset doesn't get to the point to where we're grieving working for the Lord. Yes, you know, like, oh man, it's a burden, I guess. Yes, yeah, is a good work.

SPEAKER_00 38:55

And that that keeps it from being a burden. Yeah. Is that is the fellowship, the presence of God keeps our mind in the right place, a renewed mind? Yeah, but it on the other side, like you said, it it can become a burden if we lose that. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 39:11

No, that's that's that's really good.

What A Mission Trip Does To You

SPEAKER_03 39:13

That's really good. Mark, what would you say, brother, is the desire for someone who may want to come down on a trip? What is your hope? And you as well, Chacho, what is y'all's hope that when they leave that they received the volunteer, the missionary that's coming down, they're gonna go out, they're gonna do the service. What are you hoping is accomplished in their life when they leave a week later?

SPEAKER_00 39:39

So as someone comes, um, what we have witnessed, and we do hope that that it continues, is that people are exposed uh to serving the Lord in a new way, maybe that they haven't done in their home church.

SPEAKER_03 39:58

Because you guys do a really good job of, I don't want to use the term putting people on the spot, but that's one thing I hear from people that go and say, they do a great job of putting me on the spot. I've never preached before. And I started preaching because they looked at me and said, in 10 minutes, you're giving a message. You know, you know, you're giving your testimony. And I think that's a great point because sometimes we have to be pushed, gently pushed, to stretch us, yeah, to make us uncomfortable, to trust in the Holy Spirit. That's one thing I love about the mission field with you guys is you go down there, you're gonna be taught real quick how to trust, not in self, but in the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_00 40:31

Yeah, go ahead and that's true, Pastor. We've heard that from the people in even to pray in public, it it's it's amazing that that they have come. We've heard several people say, Well, I've learned to pray in public and in just a small group, yeah. Being down on the mission out front of a hospital or at somebody's home.

SPEAKER_03 40:52

Because a lot of Christians can say, Well, I'll pray in church. Yes, but when you get outside of those church walls, yes, how are you praying? Yes, are you praying?

SPEAKER_00 41:00

Yes, yeah. So that exposure, really, we've seen how the Holy Spirit works in people's lives because they step out and they're stepping out of their comfort zone. And as they do, they see how the Lord meets them there and the Lord uses them, like you said, either preaching, praying for somebody, or or witnessing to somebody that, you know, it's just a new experience, but they're put into it right and they see the Lord work.

SPEAKER_03 41:27

So yeah, praise God. Brother Chacho, how about you?

SPEAKER_01 41:31

You know, I I love to see the people coming in there. Uh, you don't have to be perfect to be in uh missions and or in a missions trip, but I I love the the way that the Lord confronts their weaknesses, uh, their attitudes, and I love how he does it also in what it seems like they try to find it as excuses or defaults. Okay, for example, um they feel not sufficient, right? Some people, uh very weak, their uh low self-esteem, uh things like that. I love how the Lord challenges them with the word and with the presence of God, in that they see other people in the mission feel in a worse state that they are. Yeah. Um, I think it changes the um pity attitude of self-pity to like, I need to do something for that person. And sometimes we can really, if we are not aware, we can just all fall into this look at me, I'm going through this thing. That's right. But when you are content where you're at, and where when you have the tools that God has given you, the relationship with Him, your salvation, prayer, and the Word of God, right, then and you're able to use them, you know, to be lifted up and and and reach out, and the Lord will take you to another level, even to see your mistakes, even to see what you've been battling for years. So in this week or in this month, or in this summer that you come, I think the Lord meets you right there. Amen.

SPEAKER_03 43:21

Yes, that's so good. That's so good. And and I think that he meets you there for more than just there. So when you go home, that's right. When you go back home, your eyes are opened to maybe how you were living before you left is not what God wanted you to be doing. He opens your eyes and reveals things through these mission field encounter experiences. Yes. That all of a sudden we begin to get convicted when we go home. And to me, that's one of the most beautiful things about the mission field encounter. We come back home and we're like, man, I could, I could be doing it so much more differently, putting things into a much Greater perspective and putting a higher value on things maybe that I didn't so much think were valuable before I went down on that mission field. But now I my time spinning the word is more valuable. My time ministering is more valuable. My time going into Walmart or a grocery store, paying attention to who's around me is more valuable. Yes, yes, giving the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work. And it doesn't just have to happen on a mission field. Yes. Because where I live is now my mission. My mission is to let people know that Jesus loves them so much that he died for them. And really we're all walking missionaries. We're all servants of the Lord God most high. Yes. You know, I mean, that's what it really comes down to, and it's all about.

How To Serve Or Support United In Christ

SPEAKER_03 44:50

If there's someone out there that says, hmm, India, I'm interested in that. Poland, wow, I'd like to go there when that project gets started. Brazil, I've I've maybe there's someone out there that's just been having dreams or hearing the Lord talk to them about serving in Brazil, in Texas, in Mexico, okay? All the different areas in Mexico. There's there's an orphanage there, right? There's drug rehabs for both men and women there. There's so many things. Soup kitchens, okay. There's so many things where people could serve. What is the best way that someone can get in touch with Mark and Chacho from United in Christ or someone at the office there at the home base where they could schedule a church, a youth group, right? A ministry to come down, or just individual or a family, someone that wants to come down and serve the Lord on the mission field. What's the best way that they can start that process to learning more about United in Christ and what you guys are about to see if it's a good fit, right? To see if it's a good fit. What's the best way to go about doing that?

SPEAKER_01 45:56

They can contact us. Um the ministry is United in Christ Ministry Worldwide Inc., and uh, we're located in Los Resnos, Texas. That's where the mission space is. And uh they can send us an email uicmw7 at gmail.com, or they can go to our website and that is www. uh uicmw.org. Or they can call us. Our phone numbers are easy to remember. Not gonna get that out here. Yeah, yeah, those things would never fix.

SPEAKER_02 46:36

They're already blowing up. You don't you don't need more coming in there.

SPEAKER_01 46:40

Yes. So if you um would like to call us, it you can send a message or a WhatsApp. You know, if you are in another country, so WhatsApps uh plus one. That's for that's for for WhatsApp, 956-589-5076. And that's on the WhatsApp, right? Yes, that is on the WhatsApp WhatsApp and it's also here in the United States. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 47:11

Yeah, that that that that's amazing. I really hope that people who have a desire to come do mission work would really reach out to you guys. And what about if there's someone out there that says, hey, I can't go, but I want to support the work. I've I've listened to this episode. I want to just be a financial blessing for the people that are coming down there. I want to help support that work in the orphanage or the churches or the soup kitchens. How can they financially be a blessing to United in Christ? What do they do to give?

SPEAKER_01 47:41

Well, I mean, um, nowadays with that technology and everything, you know, you can do PayPal, um, or you can do um Zell Zell, yes, uh, or Venmo, or you can send a check at 35053 Old Alice Road, Los Resnos, Texas, 78566. You will find that information at also the website, ycmw.org. Or um you can call us and we'll give you more information and 956-589-5076.

SPEAKER_03 48:17

Yeah, can I say this one thing that I want to encourage groups to go down is because it's such an easy trip. And what I mean is that it's one of those trips, especially if it's your first time ever going as a group onto the mission field, you stay on the border there, right? At base, at Los Fresnos in Texas. Yes. You stay on the border there, you wake up each morning, you cross the border, which I've been there numerous times. It's extremely safe, nothing to worry about. You guys have a great relationship with the people in Mexico there. They know you, they recognize the vans, right? And so you go in, you do ministry, you come back across the border, you're back home in the States, you're sleeping, right? Then you wake up and you go back, you know, and it's a great time for churches and groups to grow together and bond because every morning they wake up, they're doing devotionals, right? They're in charge of that. And you know, there's there's some some worship, uh, some praise, praising the Lord that takes place. And it's a beautiful thing to where I always say when you go to the mission field, you think you're going to serve someone else, but man, you're really serving yourself on a spiritual side. Yes. And that's in a good way. That's not a selfish thing. That's in a good way. You you do go helping people, but you come back so much stronger spiritually, spiritually more in tune with the Lord than you were going down. You know, and to me, that that shows a fruitful ministry, a fruitful field. Every person that I've ever known to go down to united in Christ has always said that. They come back better than when they showed up. You know, they may be tired because it's you know, long days, long nights, but it's all for the glory of God. You know, they may be tired, but it's a good tired. To me, that's the best way to wear yourself out is doing ministry work for the kingdom. Yes. So, brothers, this episode has been a blessing to me. Matter of fact, it's been so good. I think we should probably let the listeners know that you guys are gonna come out here once a week to Virginia and do episodes. Wouldn't that be amazing?

SPEAKER_00 50:26

It'd be amazing.

SPEAKER_03 50:29

Yeah, no, but I would, and wouldn't it be awesome if we could do that? But one day in glory, we'll be together. We'll be together every day, right? Every day. And uh, so I just want to say, Brother Chacho, thank you for coming and spending time. I know you guys are busy, brother Mark. Thank you so much. It's been a rich, rich blessing and time of fellowship to have you guys here at the table. And it's all about just pointing to Christ, lifting up his name, yes, and really just pushing the gospel. Yeah, that's what it

The Cure For Emptiness And Closing Prayer

SPEAKER_03 51:02

is. We're just pushing the gospel to as many people as we can because if you were like Brother Chacho, what you shared earlier, empty. You could have all the success, all of the money, all of the fame, the titles, you know, you can have all these relationships. Nothing's gonna fulfill it. Drugs isn't gonna fill that hole, sex isn't gonna fill that hole, no addiction is gonna fill that hole. It may numb you to the fact that you're empty. Yes. And I think that that's what's so dangerous about these addictions that the enemy's using in in people. Yes, you know, it it numbs them to the fact that they're that they're empty, but those things wear off and they've got to go chase something down and get it because they don't like feeling that empty. And if you're feeling empty, the good news to you listening to this episode is we have the cure. His name is Jesus. Yes, yes. And all you've got to do is accept him. And and we're just gonna pray this. If if you're out there listening and you want to walk with Jesus, if you're done feeling empty, if you're done feeling empty, then you could say a prayer like this Lord Jesus, I am a sinner, and I ask you to come into my life, forgive me of my sins, and save my soul. I recognize, Lord, that you died on the cross so that I could be forgiven. And I receive you now. And I ask, Father, that you would fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit in Jesus' name and blood. Amen. Amen. Amen. As always, listeners, I thank you for tuning in. Continue until next time. Stay in the word of God. God bless.