Featured Articles
Enséñame cómo
Por Tim Zakarian
Entonces, ¿qué pasa después de que una persona recibe la salvación? ¿Ha terminado nuestro trabajo? ¿Cómo le ayudamos a dar los siguientes pasos en la fe?
No crecí en la iglesia, y no decidí seguir a Cristo hasta que estaba en secundaria. Estaba entusiasmado por vivir para Cristo, pero ese entusiasmo duró solo unos tres meses, y luego me alejé. Simplemente no sabía cómo dar los siguientes pasos en la fe. No fue hasta mi último año de secundaria que estaba tan cansado de mi vida que decidí volver a seguir al Señor. Esta vez tuve el apoyo de un grupo de jóvenes y de un buen amigo cristiano que me acompañó en mis próximos pasos. Algunos llamarían a esto: discipular.
Es vital ayudar a una persona en sus siguientes pasos en la fe. De hecho, Jesús nos ordenó en Mateo 28:19 (NTV), «vayan y hagan discípulos».
Sí, es importante que una persona acepte al Señor, pero también es fundamental que aprenda lo que significa tener una relación con Cristo. Todos tenemos la oportunidad de ayudar a los nuevos creyentes a lo largo de este camino. Pero… ¿cómo lo hacemos?
Desde que me convertí en pastor, he tenido el privilegio de discipular a muchas personas y verlas convertirse en líderes increíbles para Cristo. Aprendí acerca de discipular a partir de mi propia experiencia de fe, pero también al ayudar a otros en sus siguientes pasos en la vida cristiana. Así que cuando comienzas a discipular a alguien, ¿por dónde empiezas?
Se comienza con una relación.
Y las relaciones llevan tiempo. Cuando acepté al Señor, un compañero de trabajo cristiano pasó meses entablando una relación conmigo. Como teníamos una amistad, esa persona pudo ayudarme a avanzar en mi fe. La relación fue importante; me permitió hacer las preguntas difíciles a alguien en quien confiaba. También me permitió observar la vida de otra persona para ver cómo vivía realmente un cristiano. Como yo procedía de un contexto ajeno a la Iglesia, también necesitaba tener que rendir cuentas a alguien para hacer frente a mi antigua forma de vida.
Si el modelo utilizado por Jesús fue vivir la vida con otros (sus discípulos), entonces tal vez deberíamos hacer lo mismo. Jesús pasó mucho tiempo con sus discípulos. Este fue su ejemplo: Yo les enseñaré, ustedes sigan mi ejemplo, luego vayan a hacer lo que les enseñé y yo observaré. Jesús envió a los discípulos de pueblo en pueblo para compartir las Buenas Nuevas. Así fue como comenzaron la Iglesia primitiva.
Un paso muy importante es guiar a un nuevo creyente hacia una relación auténtica
con Cristo.
Puede ser fácil señalar las normas de nuestra fe o la moral piadosa, y estas cosas son importantes. Pero la verdadera transformación se produce a través de una relación con Cristo. Cuando recibí a Cristo por primera vez, me esforcé mucho por seguir las leyes sin conocerlo muy bien. El resultado fue que erraba al blanco. Mis fracasos me hacían sentir culpable y empecé a preguntarme si realmente podía seguir a Cristo. Entonces alguien me ayudó a desarrollar mi relación con Cristo mostrándome cómo acercarme más a Él. Me ayudaron a involucrarme en un grupo pequeño que estaba dirigido a nuevos creyentes, y comencé a entender quién es realmente Jesús. Fue entonces cuando encontré el verdadero cambio y la verdadera libertad en mi vida. La verdadera transformación viene de la relación con Cristo.
Otro paso vital es ayudar a un nuevo creyente a integrarse en una buena iglesia.
Es importante que cuenten con el apoyo de otros cristianos. Al principio me resultó difícil. Me daba miedo la iglesia, en especial el servicio cristiano. Pero mi amigo me animó a asistir y a participar. Aprendí a adorar, a confraternizar y a entender la Biblia. Me integré en un grupo pequeño, en el que seis chicos me ayudaban a rendir cuentas y a crecer en mi fe. En la clase para nuevos creyentes de la iglesia aprendí lo básico para ser cristiano. Allí aprendí la importancia del bautismo y me bauticé. Fue allí donde recibí mi llamado a ser pastor. Algunas personas tratan de pasar por alto la participación en la iglesia en su camino de la fe, pero la iglesia es fundamental en nuestro crecimiento. Es el modelo que Jesús nos dio para ayudarnos en nuestro caminar.
El próximo paso es ayudar a un nuevo creyente a encontrar su nueva identidad en Cristo.
Necesitan pasar de ser espectadores a ser participantes. A menudo es aquí donde la gente se atasca. No saben cómo involucrarse o hacer conexiones reales. Cuando me hice convertí, toda mi vida cambió. Perdí muchos amigos porque había cambiado mi forma de pasar el tiempo y mi manera de vivir. Era una persona nueva en Cristo, pero tuve que aprender lo que eso significaba. Hay muchas maneras de ayudar a un nuevo creyente en esta etapa. Ofrézcale un examen de personalidad o una evaluación de dones que le ayude a identificar los rasgos, talentos y dones que Dios le ha dado y que ni siquiera sabía que tenía. Deles la oportunidad de servir junto a creyentes maduros en la iglesia local y en la comunidad. Esto también les ayudará a identificar sus intereses y dones.
La capacitación es crucial. Como he dicho antes, eso es exactamente lo que Jesús hizo con sus discípulos. Les mostró lo que tenían que hacer, los mandó a hacerlo y luego los envió para que liderasen. Mostrarle a alguien como servir para que entienda lo que se espera es importante en el crecimiento de un creyente. Muchas veces le decimos a alguien que vaya a servir sin ofrecerle entrenamiento o explicarle las expectativas solo para después verlos fracasar. Cuando una persona está bien capacitada y sabe lo que se espera de ella, tiene una mejor oportunidad de tener éxito y crecer en sus talentos y dones.
¿Cuánto dura este proceso de «discipulado»? La realidad es que, si es un creyente, este debe ser un proceso de toda la vida. Tenga paciencia con el proceso de crecimiento espiritual de otra persona. Manténgase presente a largo plazo. Quizá tenga que dar algunos pasos atrás. Esté ahí para amarlos y ayudarlos a retomar el camino. Sea honesto con ellos y ámelos con un amor no basado en sus acciones, sino en quiénes son. Así es como nos ama Jesús. Estoy muy agradecido de que Él nunca me abandonó durante mi proceso. Estoy muy agradecido a Dios por haber puesto personas en mi vida que nunca me abandonaron. Sea esa persona para alguien. Pregúntele al Señor cómo puede ayudar a otra persona a crecer en su fe. Es un honor increíble ver a alguien en quien ha invertido amar a Jesús y hacer un impacto en el Reino.
Sobre el Autor
Tim Zakarian es director asociado de la Región del Pacífico de las Iglesias de la Biblia Abierta. Actualmente vive en Springfield, Oregón, con su esposa, Tina, con la que lleva casado 36 años. Los Zakarian tienen dos hijos adultos, ya casados que sirven en el ministerio. Michael y su esposa, Cheyenne, son pastores de jóvenes en la Iglesia Cristiana Summit de la Biblia Abierta en Los Ángeles. Christine McAndrew y su esposo, Aaron, son los pastores de jóvenes en Waypoint Community, una iglesia de la Biblia Abierta en Springfield, Oregon. En su ministerio, Tim ha desempeñado muchas funciones, como pastor de jóvenes, director regional de jóvenes, pastor asociado, pastor ejecutivo, plantador de iglesias y pastor principal. Sin importar su cargo, la pasión de Tim por el ministerio siempre ha sido ser mentor y desarrollar líderes.
Living and serving in a foreign land involves adjusting to new cultures, languages, and realities. Over my thirty years as a missionary, I’ve faced these challenges in multiple countries and languages. Yet, none of my experiences could have prepared me for the realities of war—its impact on life, ministry, and faith.
I had lived in Ukraine full time for thirteen years when the initial invasion occurred in 2014. The conflict was terrifying but distant from me; over time, I learned to navigate the stress of the threat of violence and the uncertainty that seemed to linger everywhere. But everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I.
… everything changed on February 23, 2022, with the full-scale invasion. Ukraine entered a dark chapter with an unknowable future, and so did I
I spent the first few months of war in the United States. While physically “safe,” my heart remained with Ukraine. I wanted to be with the INSTE community, neighbors, and other loved ones who had become my family, not just because of my love and concern for them but because there is power in presence; there is a powerful ministry of simply being with others in their suffering. Just as God promises in Psalm 91:15 (NIV), “I will be with him in trouble,” I felt compelled to personify that presence for Ukrainians.
Returning to Ukraine in October 2022 meant facing new unsettling realities. Air raid sirens, missile strikes, and weaponized drones are part of daily life. Psalm 91:5 promises, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,” yet living this truth is challenging. In 2024, attack drones or missiles filled Ukrainian skies every single day and night. Fear is a natural response to danger, yet courage is trusting God despite fear. For me, each step forward, even with a lump in my throat, is an act of faith.
Psalm 91’s promise that God is “with us in trouble” anchors me, helping reconcile the tension between “not fearing” and “doing things afraid.” Fear doesn’t disqualify us from obedience; it’s often the very place where we find God’s will and experience His presence in profound ways.
My main ministry has always been equipping leaders through INSTE Global Bible College, but my focus has shifted during the war. In this season the Lord has allowed me to minister to humanitarian needs of Ukrainians with the help of Open Bible sponsors and a wide network of friends and ministry partners. For independent teen orphans, we’ve provided power banks and lamps for long nights without electricity.
Other times, we’ve purchased medicine for sick neighbors and helped seniors pay for medical procedures. For those along the frontlines, we’ve sent financial aid, clothing, and prayers. We have also translated, printed, and distributed thousands of booklets that teach how to deal with PTSD.
While others deliver large-scale humanitarian aid, my role is one of smaller, personal acts of kindness. In the market, I look for “Holy Spirit nudges” and find struggling grandmothers to bless with money for food, blessing them and reminding them that God sees their need. Each of these actions, though small, serves as a tangible reminder of God’s love and light in dark times.
The human cost of war is staggering. Food insecurity, disrupted education systems, and loss of electricity are all daily problems. Families have been displaced and torn apart, some with children attending school in other countries, others with family members on the frontlines, missing in action, prisoners of war, or buried in a grave. Communities have been shattered and the trajectory of so many lives forever altered. Over the years we have had thousands of INSTE students throughout Ukraine; many of their lives have been dramatically changed by this war.
I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss
Despite this, I witness incredible resilience in the defenders who are outnumbered and outgunned on the front lines, the mothers holding families together, and the children navigating unimaginable loss, including a normal childhood. Their resilience reflects the truth that God has not abandoned them. In their stories, I see glimmers of hope – reminders that even in the darkest times, Light shines. Their resilience inspires me.
It has been difficult to deal with the capture of my godson, Max, a nineteen-year-old soldier, by enemy forces. The pain of not knowing his fate is immense. We pray for his soul. Every Ukrainian has their “Max,” someone whose unknown future brings unbearable heartache.
As I reflect on these years of war, I’m reminded of how deeply it has reshaped my life, my understanding of compassion, and my faith. War has tested me in ways I never expected, but it has also deepened my faith.
Psalm 91 continues to be a comfort: not a promise of an easy way, but of God’s presence. It is in His refuge that I find strength to minister and to believe for His promises. And it is there, even in wartime, that I have found God’s refuge.
About the Author
Tammy Swailes
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education, and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
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.
