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En la espera
por Gary Khan
Cuando tenía poco más de veinte años, Dios me dio una palabra y una visión de cuál era su destino para mí. Fue abrumador y convincente, y he pasado el resto de mi vida esperando que Él cumpla esa visión. Sin embargo, me elude. El tiempo avanza sigilosamente, y me parece estar parado, preguntándome cuándo veré el cumplimiento de esa promesa de Dios.
¿Alguna vez se ha sentido así? Dios le pone una palabra en el corazón, una promesa para el futuro, y luego Él guarda silencio y parece que se ha olvidado de lo que dijo. Para mí, esto ha resultado en tormentas de dudas que arrecian dentro de mí. Esas dudas a veces me llevan a tomar decisiones precipitadas al decidir «ayudar» a Dios adelantándome a Él para cumplir su promesa.
Abraham tuvo una experiencia similar. Dios le dijo que su descendencia sería tan numerosa como la arena del mar, cuando Abraham aún no había engendrado ni un solo hijo. Después de que Dios le diera esa palabra, transcurrieron décadas sin ver el cumplimiento. Abraham tuvo que vivir en la espera, y en ese tiempo de espera hizo algunas cosas que nosotros haríamos bien en evitar. La historia se encuentra en Génesis 15 y 16.
Abraham dudó
En el sentido literal de la palabra, Abraham hizo algunas decisiones importantes como resultado de la conversación de Dios con él, decisiones que parecían carecer de resultados inmediatos.
Por un momento, pongámonos en la misma situación. Dios nos habla sobre un cambio importante en nuestra vida y luego guarda silencio. ¿Cuántos de nosotros le obedeceríamos de inmediato? O, ¿andaríamos de un lado a otro luchando con dudas sobre si realmente hemos oído a Dios? Ahora mismo, ¿cuántos de nosotros no estamos haciendo la mayor parte de lo que Él nos ha pedido que hagamos porque dudamos del resultado?
Ya puedo oírlo. Algunos de ustedes están pensando: Pero Abraham es diferente. A él Dios se le apareció en persona, así que no debería haber dudado. Yo no recibo visitas personales de Dios.
Quizá no recibamos una visita personal como la tuvo Abraham, pero hoy tenemos al Espíritu Santo de Dios. Él vive en nosotros y está con nosotros, guiándonos y conduciéndonos a toda verdad. Por otro lado, imagine por un momento que él recibió una visitación de Dios, pero luego tuvo que caminar día tras día ante la realidad de que lo que Dios le dijo que pasaría no ha sucedido a pesar de que han pasado años de espera y varios intentos de cumplir Su promesa. En esos momentos del «día tras día», las dudas comienzan a visitar, haciendo afirmaciones que ponen en duda las promesas de Dios.
¿Realmente escuché a Dios, o fue la pizza que comí esa noche?
En serio, sé que Dios puede hacer cualquier cosa, pero ¿haría eso por mí? No soy tan especial. Tal vez estoy haciendo algo mal. Recuerde, «Dios ayuda a los que se ayudan a sí mismos», así que, si quiero ver que esto suceda, entonces tengo que hacer que suceda.
Debemos aprender a prever a esas dudas. Si usted es como yo, desea que Dios le reafirme en todo momento hasta el cumplimiento de la promesa, y después quiere que le siga reafirmando que todo va por buen camino. Queremos una seguridad constante, pero Dios quiere que confiemos en Él. La necesidad de una seguridad permanente no fortalece nuestra fe en Él.
Cómo lidiar con la duda mientras espera
La táctica probada del enemigo es poner en duda lo que Dios nos ha dicho. Es un truco tan antiguo como el tiempo. En Génesis le preguntó a Eva:
¿De veras Dios les dijo que no deben comer del fruto de ninguno de los árboles del huerto? (Génesis 3:1, NTV).
Debemos reconocer esta táctica y estar preparados para confrontarla. En el Nuevo Testamento, Santiago dice a los cristianos que podemos vencer a Satanás y su artimaña de la duda:
Así que sométanse a Dios. Resistan al diablo, y él huirá de ustedes. (Santiago 4:7, NVI).
Someterse y resistir. Nos sometemos creyendo en la Palabra de Dios, y resistimos permaneciendo en esa Palabra en fe y declarándola sobre nuestras vidas. Nosotros resistimos cuando vivimos en la realidad de lo que Dios ha hablado en lugar de reaccionar a las dudas que Satanás está susurrando. Podemos vencer la duda, y la manera de hacerlo es recordándonos a nosotros mismos y al enemigo la Palabra de Dios que nos ha dado.
Cuando Abraham y Sara se vieron asediados por las dudas que surgieron a causa del silencio de Dios, habrían hecho bien en recordar lo que Dios les había dicho. Se habrían ahorrado muchos problemas y angustias. Lo mismo vale para nosotros. El enemigo busca robar, matar y destruir la obra de Dios en nosotros, pero Dios ha prometido que Su Palabra no volverá vacía. ¿Cómo podemos recordar las preciosas promesas de Dios?
- Memorice Su Palabra y repítala cuando sea necesario.
- Léela con frecuencia y aférrese a Sus promesas. Él cumplirá lo que nos ha prometido en su Palabra.
Las dudas continuarán apareciendo, una tras otra. La persistencia del enemigo, combinada con la aparente lentitud de Dios y su silencio, nos conduce a una encrucijada en la que muchos de nosotros actuamos en base de nuestras dudas en lugar de apoyarnos en las promesas de Dios. Eso nunca acaba bien.
Si confiamos más en nuestros planes que en los de Dios, nos enfrentaremos con estas situaciones:
- Nunca podremos ver el panorama general como lo hace Dios.
Dios no está limitado por el tiempo ni por el espacio y ve cómo cada cosa pequeña afecta al panorama general; nosotros nunca podremos hacer eso. Cuando optamos por confiar en nuestros planes en lugar de los planes de Dios, corremos enormes riesgos. Puede que seamos capaces de planificar tres pasos por delante de nosotros, pero incluso eso está plagado de problemas porque nunca podemos predecir cómo puede reaccionar una persona ante algo que hacemos, y no sabemos qué ocurrirá en el panorama general de las cosas.
- Nuestras motivaciones se convierten en un problema.
Cuando Dios planifica, está creando una obra maestra que será para el bien de toda la humanidad. Cuando nosotros planeamos, normalmente nos preocupamos por nosotros mismos y por conseguir lo que queremos. Basta con mirar lo que sucedió con Abraham, Sara, Agar e Ismael.
A Sara no le preocupaba el plan grandioso de Dios de traer la salvación al mundo a través de Abraham. Su motivación para tener un hijo era liberarse del estigma de no poder darle un hijo a su marido. Cuando le pareció que Dios tardaba demasiado, ideó un plan para tener ese hijo a través de un vientre subrogado. Agar era su sierva, así que estaba con Sara todo el tiempo. Agar probablemente vio la tristeza de Sara y la escuchó mientras sollozaba y se quejaba de que no podía darle un hijo a su marido. No sé de quién fue la idea, si de Sara o de Agar, pero sea como fuere, puedo afirmar que Sara no pensaba en el bienestar de Agar. Simplemente la veía como un medio para alcanzar su fin.
Uno de los problemas que surge cuando dudamos es que, en lugar de confiar en el tiempo de Dios, nos adelantamos y utilizamos a la gente que nos rodea «en nombre de Dios», dejando tras nosotros una senda de destrucción y quebranto. - Las personas no siempre responden de la manera que esperamos o como prometieron que lo harían.
Agar pudo haberle dicho a Sara que haría esto como su amiga y sierva. Puede que tuviera buenas intenciones. Cuando yo era niño y escuchaba esta historia, simplemente suponía que Agar se había quedado embarazada tras una aventura de una noche. Pero la realidad es que Abraham probablemente se acercó a Agar más de una vez, y cuando Agar empezó a tener relaciones sexuales con Abraham, las cosas cambiaron. Siempre sucede así cuando se empieza a tener relaciones sexuales, porque Dios lo hizo así.
Cuando Agar descubrió que estaba embarazada, las cosas cambiaron aún más. Empezó a creer que ahora significaría más para Abraham y para Sara. Pero la triste realidad es que, ante los ojos de Abraham y Sara, Agar siempre fue la esclava, un simple medio para un fin.
No sólo Agar no respondió como estaba previsto, sino que Sara tampoco reaccionó como ella pensaba. Sara no pudo predecir que se volvería sumamente celosa de Agar. Ella miraba cada noche como Abraham se iba con Agar. Con el tiempo empezó a afectarle, por muy ilustrada que se creyera. Seguía diciéndose a sí misma que era por una causa mayor, pero supongo que algo también cambió en la relación entre ella y Agar. Agar probablemente empezó a actuar menos como una esclava y más como un miembro de la familia con derechos. Probablemente empezó a usar un lenguaje más familiar con Sara, y Sara empezó a sentirse insegura y celosa.
«¿Quién se ha creído que es esta muchacha? ¡Abraham es mi marido! ¡Ella tiene que recordar cuál es su lugar!».
Cuando Agar descubrió que estaba embarazada, es posible que Sara pensara: «Debería estar contenta, pero no lo estoy. Estoy enfadada porque esta mujer me está robando lo que debería ser mío, la odio».
Estos no son los sentimientos que Sara pensó que tendría cuando trazó el plan para realizar el trabajo que le correspondía a Dios, pero ese es el problema. Somos demasiado miopes para ser el Planificador Maestro.
- Nuestras malas decisiones le dan mala fama a Dios.
Después de que Agar diera a luz a su hijo, Sara se puso celosa y empezó a tratarla mal. Me pregunto cómo veía entonces Agar al Dios de Sara. Después de todo, Sara debe haber hablado del Todopoderoso como alguien amoroso y bondadoso, alguien que protege y provee para aquellos que lo siguen. Sin embargo, aquí estaba Sara tratando a Agar con desprecio y antipatía. La gente a menudo determina el carácter de Dios basándose en la forma en que sus seguidores los tratamos.
Uno de mis mejores amigos tenía un cartel en su cocina que decía: «¡Si mamá no es feliz, nadie es feliz!». Esas palabras son ciertas, y Abraham lo comprobó. Sara exigió que Agar e Ismael se marcharan porque no quería a «esa mujer» y a «ese chico» cerca de su precioso Isaac. Le hizo la vida imposible a Abraham. Finalmente, él cedió a regañadientes y despidió a Agar e Ismael. Lo loco es que Dios estuvo de acuerdo con la conclusión de Sara (tal vez no con sus acciones) y le dijo a Abraham que los enviara lejos. Especulemos un poco comprendiendo un poco la naturaleza humana.
Abraham, angustiado por tener que despedir a Ismael, tuvo una conversación con él:
«Hijo, realmente no quiero hacer esto, pero ya conoces a Sara. Me va a hacer la vida imposible. La verdad es que la aguantaría, pero Dios me dijo que te enviara lejos, así que debo hacerlo».
¿Cuál crees que era la impresión que Agar e Ismael tenían de Dios? Creo que creerían que Él no se preocupaba por ellos. Lo verían como mezquino y vengativo, poco amable y manipulador.
Han transcurrido treinta años desde aquella palabra que Dios me dio acerca de mi destino. He cometido muchos de los errores que cometió Abraham, pero he aquí la buena noticia: Las promesas que Dios nos hace son inquebrantables. Él hará lo que dice que hará. Así que mientras esperamos, confíe en que Él cumplirá lo que dijo que haría. Resista la duda que el enemigo provoca y que nos hace querer adelantarnos o rendirnos por completo. Abraham pudo haber dudado y haber dado algunos pasos en falso en el camino, pero afortunadamente corrigió su curso, y Dios fue fiel en cumplir su Palabra.
Sobre el Autor
Gary Khan fue pastor durante 32 años de la Iglesia de la Biblia Abierta Desert Streams en Santa Clarita, California. Actualmente es director ejecutivo de operaciones de Marketplace Chaplains en el sur de California. También forma parte de la Junta Directiva Nacional de La Biblia Abierta y es director del distrito Sur de California/Arizona/Hawaii. Gary es autor de los devocionales Greater (Cosas Mayores) y Reset (Reinicio), así como de su libro de próxima publicación, That Didn’t Go the Way I Thought: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Our Journey of Faith (Esto no salió como yo pensaba: Cómo navegar por los altibajos de nuestro camino de fe). El mayor logro y alegría de Gary es ser esposo de DeLaine desde hace 32 años y ser el padre de tres hijos increíbles (dos biológicos y uno «adoptado»).
The diaspora of the Tai Dam refugees in 1975 to Des Moines, Iowa, fueled a first generation of Tai Dam Americans adapting to new ways of life, blending language, culture, and embracing the numerous opportunities in the US. I was part of that first generation. Three years after my parents’ settlement in Iowa, I was born and became the first in my family to acquire an American education and step into a church. We were blessed to have Christian sponsors who helped us transition from our homeland to America.
Every Sunday, our sponsors would take me, my sister, and several of my cousins to church service at the First Church of the Open Bible. Naomi Young was one of the many people who was significant in my life; she gave me my first Bible. Through the faithfulness of Naomi and others at the church, seeds of faith were planted as I was told about a man named Jesus who died on the cross for me. I was curious, but I did not understand and did not accept Him into my life at that time. Attending church was short-lived, coming to a halt when I was eight years old. The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home. My parents and grandmother believed and practiced animism and ancestral worship, which is the veneration and honoring of the dead. Confusion infiltrated my mind, and my desire to attend church ceased. While I abandoned everything that was taught to me in Sunday school, I always kept my Bible in a special place underneath my pillow because something in my heart could not throw it away.
The seed that was planted in me could not grow because it was never nourished with Truth at home.
When I was twenty-two years old, my cousin took me to a Buddhist temple to have my fortune read. There, sitting in front of me, were three monks. One monk opened his notebook, wrote in it, then read to me my childhood, present life, and future life story up to the time I would turn thirty years old. He then shut his notebook and told me, “I am done.” When I asked him, “Why?” he told me only, “I cannot read you anymore.” That same week I went to a card reader and had my fortune read. Again, he read my childhood, present life, and up to the age I would be thirty, then stopped. I told him, “You are the second person that could not read me past thirty; tell me – do I die?” He quickly gathered his cards, saying only, “I cannot tell you.”
Throughout my adult life in my twenties, I was in an unhealthy, abusive relationship, which led to an alcohol addiction. When I was twenty-six, I became pregnant and had my daughter, Kaylee, on January 31, 2005. God was already working in my life, and I did not know it; He was molding me and reminding me of who He was through the darkest moments of my life. Around that time, I came upon a childhood friend who worked as a cashier at Hy-Vee; she would tell me, “Soukham, God is so good.” Though I resisted, the words she spoke over me resonated in my heart. Not long after, I found myself attending her funeral. Worship and praise were included in the Christian service. I was confused, but a part of me had the desire to know more about the God they said was so good and how through Him there would be no more pain and suffering. When I left the funeral, the Lord continued to reveal Himself to me through divine encounters. In July of 2008, I took a position at Nationwide Insurance where I reconnected with an old high school friend. She invited me to a Thanksgiving potluck at her church, and my walk with the Lord began soon after.
From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story.
I was thirty years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The verse that will remain with me forever is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV).
Now I understand why the monk and card reader could not read my life past the age of thirty. At that age, I became a new creation because of Jesus Christ, and the enemy no longer had a hold on me! Jesus continued to bless me and my daughter. Amid my pain and struggles, God brought a man into my life, my husband Othone (Pong), who became a father to Kaylee. We got married on September 15, 2010. Together the Lord blessed us with two more children, Isaac and Silas. In 2017, the Lord called us to serve in Iowa at Kingdom Life Church (now Kingdom City Church).
In November 2021, the Lord instilled in Pong’s heart a dream to build a charitable foundation to address needs in the vulnerable communities of Southeast Asia. The foundation would have a Christ-centered vision: to make and equip future disciples, providing them with sustainable resources and empowering them to advance beyond their current situation. Through continuous prayer and the Lord’s guidance, the foundation was born in April 2023 and officially named Nations in Need (NIN). Recently in 2023 and 2024, the Lord took Pong, Kaylee, and three of our brothers, Ap, Peng, and Bay, on trips to Southeast Asia where they built relationships, served the communities, ministered to the people, and spread the good news about Jesus Christ. Today, NIN has branched into multiple communities in Southeast Asia. Through the work of a future center in Southeast Asia, we will expand NIN’s mission and go wherever the Lord leads.
Throughout my whole life God has carried me, even when I didn’t know it. From the Tai Dam little girl who was born in America and met Jesus in an Iowan church, to the woman who is now taking the hope of Christ back to Southeast Asia, His hand has been in every chapter of my story. Whether the next chapter is in America, Southeast Asia, or somewhere else, I will follow Christ, forever His new creation.
About the Author
Soukham Khanthavixay
Soukham Khanthavixay and her husband, Pong, are active members of Kingdom City Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They reside in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with their three children and two dogs. Soukham is a registered nurse at a local county hospital and also works for Nations in Need (NIN), the ministry her husband founded. Her family and ministry team work together to expand the mission of NIN and spread the gospel. To learn more about Nations in Need, follow them on Facebook or Instagram: @nationsinneed.
Spirit and Truth Church began as a dream amidst the stormy backdrop of January 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges that the world faced, we found ourselves thriving, anchored by the belief that God’s plans always prevail. As we say on our website, we are passionate about helping people “find freedom in the fullness” of both the Spirit and the Word. This foundational vision has carried us through times of uncertainty and propelled us forward.
Yet, for all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island—thriving, yes, but lacking the covering, coaching, counsel, and care that every church needs to flourish long term. In 2022, at the first MOVEMENT conference, God spoke directly to my heart, telling me that Spirit and Truth Church was meant to be part of the Open Bible Church family. This call was a turning point for our ministry. In 2023, I was credentialed through Open Bible Churches, and in February of this year (2024), we became officially affiliated with Open Bible Churches’ Mountain Plains region. Since then, the blessings have been immense.
For all our successes, we reached a point where we felt like we were on an island.
Being part of Open Bible has been transformative for us. We have received so much investment, training, and support. Open Bible has helped us shore up essential aspects of our ministry: leadership, organization, staffing, budget, facilities, and more. Our growth has been remarkable—we’ve doubled in size, growing from 60 to 120 regular attendees in the past year. This growth, I believe, is a testament to both the godly covering of Open Bible and the Spirit-led outreaches we engage in. Our church has a culture of lifestyle evangelism and hospitality where all our members are witnesses and welcomers. In addition, we have forged strategic partnerships with other ministries.
One of the most exciting partnerships we have is with Every Heart Tours, a ministry led by fiery, Jesus-loving college students from Michigan. These students come to stay with us for a week at a time, engaging in outdoor worship outreaches and “prophetic treasure hunts.” If you’re unfamiliar with this term, a prophetic treasure hunt is an evangelistic practice where participants ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific details about people they will meet, and then they go into the community to find these “treasures.” It’s a beautiful, Spirit-led adventure allowing us to partner with God and minister to people in our city in a unique way. We’ve seen so many lives touched and transformed through these treasure hunts.
What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people.
One of the most powerful testimonies from these outreaches happened this summer (2024). We had a team of prophetic ministers giving specific words to people as we worshipped in Fort Collins Old Town square. We preached the gospel boldly, and by the end of the night eleven people made the decision to be baptized! We walked down to the Poudre River and witnessed the supernatural power of God as they went under the water and came up renewed. It was a moment that felt like the early church, where “the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:47 NIV).
Of course, ministry isn’t always easy. We’ve faced rejection and opposition. But we hold firm to the truth of Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The harvest is plentiful, and we’ve seen this reality unfold before our eyes. As we continue to partner with ministries, step out in faith, and preach the gospel, we trust that God will continue to bring more people into His kingdom.
Our journey with Open Bible has been a testimony to God’s faithfulness. What started as a small church plant in Northern Colorado has since grown into a vibrant community reflecting the heart of God for His people. We remain committed to spreading the good news and making sure outreach and evangelism are at the heart of our ministry. The harvest is ready, Open Bible fam – let’s go bring it in!
About the Author
Rob Bray
Rob Bray is a marketplace and ministry leader with over a decade of experience in both business and church contexts. He is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit + Truth Church, an Open Bible Church in the Mountain Plains Region. Rob has catalyzed successful companies, grown healthy ministries, and spoken at influential conferences, workshops, and events. Rob’s expertise and passion have made him a trusted advisor and coach for leaders and entrepreneurs seeking breakthroughs in multiple areas including life, marriage, and business. Rob and his wife Bethany live on their homestead in Fort Collins, CO, with their six children: Nehemiah, Nora, Noelle, Neely, Nayla, and Nicholas. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding.
As we approach another election season, we find ourselves once again in an environment bringing tension, division, and uncertainty to people, including those within the Church. It is during times like this, however, that we as the Church can shine brightly. In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
The apostle Paul instructs us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20 NIV), and as followers of Christ, our ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom. While politics does have its importance and influence, it is reassuring to know our hope is not based upon human leaders or systems but in the Lord who reigns over all.
In the face of debates, advertisements, and news that may stir anxiety, we have a divine opportunity to anchor people to the unchanging hope of Christ.
There is no question that, as followers of Christ, we should engage in our civic duties with a kingdom-minded perspective and a biblical worldview. We vote, we pray for our leaders, we seek the welfare of our communities (Jer. 29:7), and we engage others with love. And as we do all of this, we hold to the truth that God’s sovereignty transcends the outcomes of elections.
In times that seem unstable or fragile, God’s Word tells us “we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Heb.12:28). We serve an “unshakable kingdom.” Governments change, leaders come and go, and through it all, God’s kingdom remains. It is unshakable, eternal, and built upon His righteousness and justice. No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority. It is His church that holds the keys to unlock heaven on earth and bring light to the darkness.
Here is the reality we stand upon: It is God who “controls the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings” (Dan. 2:21 NLT), and “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Prov. 21:1 KJV).
Because of this truth, we can embrace Paul’s word to the Philippians: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NLT). Based on this passage, if we are a people of prayer who walk in faith, seek God’s wisdom, and are grateful, THEN we know we will experience a peace that goes beyond natural understanding. I am reminded, comforted, and convinced of this truth, and it is an anchor to my soul.
No election can alter the reality of God’s sovereignty nor shake the foundation of His authority.
This November’s election will be followed in December by the celebration of Christ’s birth. What a perfect time to remember that Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. This name, given to Jesus, is more than just a title; it is a promise that no matter what happens around us, God’s presence is constant and unchanging.
Whether the outcome of the election brings joy or disappointment, whether policies align with your hopes or create concerns, remember Emmanuel – God is with us. He is present in our churches, in our communities, in our families, and in our lives. He is not distant or disconnected; He is personally and actively involved in the lives of His people. Whoever is elected and however people respond – God still sits on the throne, His Kingdom is unshakable, and His plans are unstoppable. GOD IS WITH US.
Some practical steps for consideration:
- Pray for our leaders, regardless of who they are: Pray for their wisdom, discernment, and a spirit of humility.
- Stay united as the body of Christ: Let a heart of unity, love, and the bond of peace be what others see.
- Keep an eternal perspective: Engage in the political process, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
- Live out the things that will remain: faith, hope and love.
About the Author
Michael Nortune
Michael Nortune serves as president of Open Bible Churches. He has ministered in the local church faithfully for 35 years. From his start as a janitor and groundskeeper to lead pastor of Life Church in Concord, California, Michael has had the opportunity to gain experience in every capacity within the church throughout his ministry. Not only does he have hands-on experience on the local level, but Michael has also led at the district, regional, and national levels within Open Bible Churches. Michael and his wife Julie currently reside in Colorado and love living near five of their six children and their spouses. They also treasure the time they spend with their other daughter who lives in Alabama with their first (but not the last) grandson!
