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Broadening the Reach: New Apostolic Priorities

April 13, 2026 in Ministry, Missions by Dave | No comments

Two weeks ago in Panama City was one of those rare moments where strategy and genuine ministry happened side by side. From March 30th to April 3rd, we were part of the Latin America Caribbean Strategic Leadership Team Meetings, which ran alongside the Missionary Kid (MK) Retreat. One of the real highlights was joining the MKs on Wednesday evening for a time of celebration and prayer — a beautiful reminder that the next generation of missions was right there in the room with us.

Northern Triad MKs at the Retreat
Talking about Gospel Access with Scott Hanson

What is Gospel Access?

The heart of the leadership meetings was working through what the global emphasis on Gospel Access actually looks like on the ground. During the week, Dave sat down with Scott Hanson, AGWM’s Strategic Initiatives Director, to talk through what this means for our work. Scott framed Gospel Access as a continuum — from people who won’t say yes to Jesus all the way to those who genuinely can’t, because of real physical, cultural, or spiritual barriers standing in the way.

Three Things Driving the Initiative

The shift is built around three key ideas:

  • Every missionary has a role. This isn’t an either-or conversation. We keep doing the vital work in the Northern Triad while also asking how we can press further into places the Gospel hasn’t yet reached.
  • Reaching the unreached. There’s a concrete goal: 2,085 unengaged, unreached people groups engaged by 2033, through partnerships across the global church.
  • Mobilizing workers. The vision includes seeing 4,000 missionaries worldwide, each one using their unique role to open doors for those who currently have no witness at all.

One House

One of the most compelling parts of the conversation was the idea of a “one-house culture.” Rather than each region working in its own corner, the vision calls us to stand shoulder to shoulder and own the global mission together. That means when something breakthrough happens in Africa or Europe, we in Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic get to celebrate it as if it were our own win — because in a real sense, it is.

Hear the Full Conversation

We’d love for you to watch or listen to Dave’s full conversation with Scott:

Thank you for partnering with us in this — every gift, every prayer is part of making sure people everywhere have a real chance to say yes to Jesus.

 

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Through Every Change

March 21, 2026 in Day2Day, Events, Mexico, Ministry, Prayer by Dave | No comments

It was an unexpected week.

We boarded our flight expecting a week of prayer, planning, and encouragement with fellow missionaries.

Kelly and I were headed to Santiago, Chile, for the Church Planters’ Dialogue, where leaders from across the Latin America Caribbean Region were gathering to consider an important question: How might God help us increase Gospel Access across the region?

As conversations unfolded, the shared commitment became clear—together, we would pursue the planting of 247 new churches in the years ahead.

But before we even arrived, the situation back in Mexico had suddenly changed.

While we were traveling, messages and news alerts began appearing on our phones. Reports were coming in that parts of Puerto Vallarta were burning after organized crime groups reacted violently to a major security operation. For the next several minutes, we worked to ensure our colleagues working in the area were safe. In the days that followed, we tried to understand what was actually happening on the ground.

Moments like these remind us that ministry in our region often unfolds in complicated environments. The headlines can be unsettling, yet the church continues to move forward.

Then, another call came.

In the middle of that already uncertain week, another call came—this time from home.

Kelly’s father, David, whom she had said goodbye to only days earlier, had passed away.

Just like that, our plans changed again. We packed our bags, cut the trip short, and flew back to the United States to be with family during those difficult days. It was a sobering week.

But the mission continues.

And yet, even in moments like these, we are reminded of something: God’s work continues.

Across the Northern Triad Area (NTA), we see that reality every day:

  • In Cuba: NTA Global Workers are serving alongside local pastors as they persevere through fuel shortages and logistical challenges to strengthen believers.

  • In the Dominican Republic: Following the completion of the Creole Fire Bible by Life Publishers, the NTA recently facilitated a strategic meeting with DR church leaders to plan its distribution to Haitian pastors across the island.

  • In Mexico: Missionaries continue taking thoughtful steps to keep the door open for ministry collaboration. Leaders carefully monitor conditions and work closely with local churches so teams can still participate in what God is doing.

At the same time, God continues calling new workers. Last week, I had the privilege of helping train 23 newly approved associate global workers who will serve in 16 nations around the world. One of them, Sally Zielke, is preparing to serve in Oaxaca, Mexico, strengthening the church in a region full of opportunity for the gospel.

Through every challenge and every change of plans, the mission moves forward.

Thank you for standing with us in this work. Your prayers and partnership help strengthen the church across Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

Note: If you’d like to print this update, take a look at the PDF version of our quarterly newsletter or, better still, sign up to receive our newsletters direct to your inbox!

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Serving in the Tension — and Seeing God at Work

February 11, 2026 in Ministry, Missions, Progress by Dave | Permalink

The past several weeks have reminded us that missionary leadership is both deeply rewarding and quietly demanding.

We are now back in Mexico City (CDMX), settling into the missions house in Coyoacán. Returning has felt significant. This move represents more than geography; it reflects a deepening commitment to walk closely with national leaders and missionary teams in this season. We are grateful for the trust that allows us to sit at tables where important conversations are happening about church planting, leadership development, and the future of ministry in Mexico.

At the same time, leadership in cross-cultural settings always carries complexity. Different expectations, communication styles, and organizational cultures can create tension even among people who share the same mission. We are learning again that much of our work involves listening carefully, building bridges, clarifying misunderstandings, and keeping everyone centered on the larger purpose of advancing the gospel. This work is often unseen, but it is essential.

Training continues to be one of our greatest joys. In January we facilitated multiple “Bible in Ministry” cohorts for veteran and new missionaries across the Latin America Caribbean region. Watching seasoned workers re-engage Scripture as the foundation for decision-making and ministry practice encourages us deeply. Healthy missionaries lead to healthy teams, and healthy teams strengthen the national church.

Our time with the Cuba team was another reminder of both challenge and impact. We heard reports of churches now helping provide meals for 6,000 children multiple times each week. That kind of fruit is humbling. At the same time, several team members are navigating surgeries, aging parents, and personal strain. Vision and vulnerability often coexist.

We, too, are experiencing that tension personally. On January 24, Kelly’s father, David, was hospitalized, and doctors have confirmed that cancer has invaded his spine. Kelly traveled to Erie to support her parents and help determine next steps. Walking through family crisis while carrying regional responsibility stretches us in ways we did not anticipate. Yet we sense the Lord’s grace meeting us in both places.

Missionary leadership is rarely dramatic; more often it is steady, relational, and prayerful. It involves long conversations, careful decisions, cultural humility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. We are grateful for the privilege of serving in this role and for partners who pray with us.

Please pray for wisdom in cross-cultural leadership, unity among teams, strength for our missionaries, and comfort for Kelly’s family in this tender season.

We are deeply thankful to serve together in the Northern Triad.

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From Family Joy to Missions in the Dominican Republic

January 12, 2026 in Ministry, Prayer by Dave | Permalink

As we look back on the close of 2025 and the beginning of this new year, our hearts are still full of gratitude. On December 6, our family welcomed a beautiful new gift—our granddaughter, Mabel Ruth. Celebrating Christmas with our entire family was especially meaningful this year, as we gathered with a fresh reminder of God’s faithfulness and blessing across generations.

Soon after the holidays, we were back on the road and had the privilege of traveling to the Dominican Republic. From January 6–9, we attended the National Convention of the Dominican Assemblies of God, and we were also grateful for dedicated time meeting with our DR missionary team—listening, encouraging, and praying together as we look ahead.

While at the convention, we had the opportunity to connect with Assemblies of God General Superintendent Doug Clay, who was a featured speaker at the event. We talked with him about the significance of his trip to the DR and why global missions continue to matter so deeply to the church today. His words and presence were a strong encouragement to leaders and missionaries alike.

We’re thankful for all God did during this trip and are excited to share a short video from our conversation with Doug with you below.

Thank you for your continued prayers and partnership—we couldn’t do this without you.

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Doing Our Best to Show Ourselves Approved

October 11, 2025 in Ministry, Missions by Dave | Permalink

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

This month, we’ve been reminded how much our vocation depends not just on passion, but also on preparation. Across the Northern Triad—and throughout our region—God is calling His workers to do their best as they serve and grow.

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On September 25, we launched an online competency cohort for veteran missionaries serving across the Northern Triad Area. Thirty-seven workers joined the first session of this six-month journey designed to familiarize our area with updated missionary competency language, build out a framework for future training, and strengthen a culture of growth and development for all workers.

Just a few days later, we took part in the regional training for seven new global workers (GWs) headed to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It was a joy to help them understand the structure and resources of AGWM and to teach the Bible in Ministry Competency (BiM) to the entire incoming associate cohort—37 new workers preparing to establish the Church in 21 nations. Seeing their readiness to learn and serve reminded us again that the work of the gospel moves forward through teachable, Spirit-filled hearts.

We also traveled to Argentina for regional leadership meetings, where we engaged in strategic discussions around church planting, advocacy, member care, and training. Between sessions, we had the privilege of visiting several of our GWs on the field and spending time at Instituto Bíblico Río de la Plata, one of the Assemblies of God’s premier ministerial training centers in South America. The commitment of both faculty and students to handle the Word of Truth faithfully deeply inspired us.

Thank you for praying and partnering with us. Because of you, workers across Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic—and beyond—are being equipped to serve with excellence, maturity, and confidence in God’s Word.

Photo Captions:

  1. Dave explains how Bible narrative works during the  BiM competency session for the 37 new AGWM GWs.
  2. Kelly shares with a student from Instituto Bíblico Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  3. New GWs and the LAC Training Team at regional training sessions

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Making Connections That Matter

September 13, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Support by Dave | Permalink

One of the greatest joys of our ministry is the role we get to play as “connectors.” Being Northern Triad Area Directors, we are uniquely positioned to bring people, ideas, and resources together so that ministry can flourish in Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

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August marked the culmination of months of preparation as we joined our national partners in Mexico for the National Pentecostal Jubilee in Monterrey. We had the privilege of coordinating the visits of two special guests—World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF) Chairman, Dominic Yeo, and church health leader and author, Alton Garrison. Their ministry was powerful, but just as meaningful was the encouragement their presence brought to pastors and leaders from across the nation. Being on hand to help facilitate their stay allowed us to witness how this connection made the Jubilee such a significant moment for so many.

During this season, we’re also walking closely with our global worker colleagues across the Northern Triad. Missionary life can feel isolating, so it’s a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with these friends—listening, offering practical help, and supporting them in both life and ministry.

And then there’s itineration. Every service and conversation is a chance to connect local churches with what God is doing on the field. We love reporting back on the impact of your prayers and giving, and we love inviting new partners to join the story.

At its heart, connecting is about multiplying impact. Whether it’s helping international leaders bless a nation, strengthening fellow global workers, or inviting churches and individuals into more active involvement in missions, none of us are called to do this alone. Thank you for standing with us—together we are making connections that matter.

Photo captions:

  1. Itineration has afforded us opportunities to connect with friends new and old, like Ann Floyd at Brighton Assembly. We first met in 1992!

  2. Connecting with colleagues @ the Jubilee— Dave gathered with (L-R) Carolyn Marton, Mary and Guillermo Landa, Peter, Delia, and Marta Breit.

  3. WAGF Chairman, Dominic Yeo (center), principal speaker at the Pentecostal Jubilee, is pictured here with Superintendent Enrique González.

Note: This post is just a portion of what we share in our quarterly newsletter. If you’d like more information from the Godzwas or would like to print this update, take a look at the full PDF version of our quarterly newsletter or, better still, sign up to receive our newsletters direct to your inbox!

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Serving, Leading, and Advocating for the Northern Triad

August 9, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Prayer by Dave | Permalink

As Directors for the Northern Triad Area (NTA)—Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic—our role is both broad and deeply personal. We provide member care, ensuring our global workers are spiritually and emotionally healthy. We give administrative oversight, helping ministries function effectively and in alignment with our shared mission. We offer strategic direction, discerning together how best to reach the unreached. And we invest in leadership development, equipping both missionaries and national leaders to serve with strength and vision.

In recent years, one aspect of our role has grown in significance: advocacy. While itinerating, we’ve championed the needs and opportunities of the Northern Triad, but now, with AGWM’s renewed push to increase the number of global workers for the “unfinished task,” that responsibility feels even more urgent.

A key moment for this advocacy came during General Council (GC 25), the biennial gathering of the Assemblies of God. It’s a time when our Fellowship elects key leaders and conducts essential business. But it’s also one of the largest gatherings of our movement’s youth, with thousands participating in the Fine Arts Festival and the National Youth Conference.

Our mission at General Council is not to recruit in the traditional sense, but to remind those we meet—whether in our booth or throughout the venue—of God’s call to go, and to highlight opportunities to serve in the Northern Triad and throughout the Latin America Caribbean (LAC) region.

It’s also a time when teamwork shines. From the setup of the LAC booth to the coordination of workers during the event—skillfully led by Gerritt Kenyon and Adam Quinn—to the countless personal conversations and moments of prayer, we see the body of Christ in motion. We were grateful for the faithful ministry of NTA Global Workers (GWs) like Peter Breit, Loyd and Kelly Cogdill, Shawn and Carolina Sislo, and Bob and Michelle Perez, each helping create space for God to speak to hearts.

In every handshake, conversation, and prayer, we trust the Lord is calling new laborers into His harvest—because the task is still unfinished, and the need is great.

Photo Captions:

  1. On site at the LAC booth at GC 25!
  2. Team Work in Advocacy—NTA GW Kelly Cogdill prays for a guest at the LAC booth.
  3. Council Reunions—Dave’s brother, Mike, and his wife, Jen, also attended GC 25 as representatives of Chi Alpha University Ministries.

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Stepping into Our Most Pivotal Role—With Your Help!

June 7, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Progress, Support by Dave | Permalink

This month marks one year since we returned to the U.S. for itineration—and what a year it’s been! With 96 meetings and 15,655 miles added to our faithful Chevy Malibu, we’ve been actively engaging churches and individuals to respond to the Great Commission through praying, giving, and going. But this advocacy hasn’t happened in a vacuum.

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In October, a significant shift took place as our leadership role expanded from overseeing AGWM efforts in Mexico alone to directing the Northern Triad Area (NTA): Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. In response, we’ve spent recent months building relationships with national church leaders, visiting missionary teams on the ground, and working to bring clarity and unity to this larger and more diverse area.

We’ve also continued serving on the Global Resource Training Team, collaborating on a complete redesign of AGWM’s global worker (GW) training. This year’s overhaul reduced redundancies, introduced fresh resources, and laid a stronger foundation for lifelong development. This month, 91 new GWs will begin their formation journey through a two-week intensive, while 101 veterans return to participate in a brand-new debrief and resourcing experience. This investment is crucial for long-term fruitfulness and sustainability.

But even as we step into what may be the most pivotal role of our missionary career, we still face a significant financial gap:
78% of our operational fund—about $55,000
The remainder of our monthly support—$2,139/month

We’re asking: Would you help us meet this moment?

Your partnership—through giving, prayer, or connecting us with others—empowers us to lead effectively, serve faithfully, and strengthen the advance of the gospel across the Northern Triad and around the world.

We value your continued collaboration. Thank you!

Photo Captions:

  1. Off to advocate in Scott City, MO! We’ve had dozens of similar moments in our Malibu since June 2024.

  2. On the ground in the Dominican Republic (DR)— We joined Jamie and Berly Bello, leaders of the DR GW team, during their national convention.

  3. We support a team of 69 missionaries in the NTA while we train the next generation of GWs like these going into all the world!

Note: This post is just a portion of what we share in our quarterly newsletter. If you’d like more information from the Godzwas or would like to print this update, take a look at the full PDF version of our quarterly newsletter or, better still, sign up to receive our newsletters direct to your inbox!

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Unconventional Advocacy in Southern Missouri

May 7, 2025 in Ministry by Dave | Permalink

This past month, our journey of advocacy took an unexpected and powerful turn as we partnered with churches and ministries across Southern Missouri in some truly unique ways.

On Wednesday night, April 23rd, we were honored to be interviewed by Executive Pastor Steve Bradshaw at New Life Church in Oak Grove, MO. It was a meaningful time of sharing our calling, our heart for the Northern Triad (Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), and affirming the creative ways God is moving in both the US and abroad. The church responded with enthusiasm and deep interest, and we left encouraged by their heart for the nations.

Then on Friday night, April 25th, we were special guests for First Assembly Jefferson City’s Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) Block Party. As families worked together to build imaginative Lego creations, Kids Pastor, Ryan Mortenson, had us share about our BGMC project benefiting the kids at the New Hope Children’s Home in Tijuana, Mexico. The atmosphere was full of energy and purpose as young hearts caught the vision for global missions.

Perhaps the most unexpected opportunity came on Friday, May 2nd. Devastating storms that swept through Springfield earlier that week left thousands without power and widespread damage, especially in the northwest, where we live. Desiring to help, we joined Convoy of Hope at Central Assembly for a food distribution outreach to help affected families. While our ministry usually takes us across borders, this time it was about meeting needs right here at home—serving with others to bring hope in crisis.

Southern Missouri showed us that advocacy doesn’t always follow the expected path. Whether through storytelling, children’s ministry, or disaster relief, we saw firsthand how God uses every setting to make His love known.

Thank you for praying, supporting, and going with us. We’re honored to serve in both expected and unconventional ways as the Spirit leads.

Photo Captions:

  1. Chatting with Steve Bradshaw, at New Life, Oak Grove’s Wednesday Night Missions Service

  2. Legos ready to be assembled at the First Kids, Jefferson City, BGMC Block Party supporting New Hope Children’s Home in Tijuana, Mexico

  3. Seeing the damage from the Springfield storm motivated us to help out with Convoy of Hope’s food distribution outreach.

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A Time to Rest, Reconnect, and Receive

April 12, 2025 in Events, Mexico, Ministry, Missions by Dave | Permalink

We’ve just returned from the Mexico Missionary Fellowship (MMF) Retreat (April 7–11) in southwest Mexico, and our hearts are full of gratitude. Sixty-two global workers, speakers, and session facilitators gathered to rest from ministry responsibilities, reconnect as a team, and receive from the Lord. The beautiful setting, perfect weather, and impactful sessions made for a truly memorable retreat.

2025 MMF Retreat Participants

Each day, we welcomed God’s presence through worship led by Steven Welch. Songs like “Great Are You Lord,” “I Speak Jesus,” and “Goodness of God” became anthems as we prayed for physical healing—especially for those suffering from the effects of Mexico City’s contamination—declared God’s sovereignty over life and ministry challenges, and reflected on His faithfulness to our families.

A special highlight was welcoming Butch and Pam Frey back to Mexico as our principal speakers. Just as their friendship and wise counsel influenced our own missions journey, their teaching on the Reactive Cycle and the Johari Window sparked growth. Participants left with new tools for managing conflict, a deeper understanding of interpersonal dynamics, and renewed hope for healthy relationships.

We were honored by the presence of our regional directors, David and Carol Ellis, who opened the retreat, and Enrique González, superintendent of our national church partner, el Concilio Nacional de las Asambleas de Dios de México, who shared words of encouragement and a call for deeper collaboration.

Ministry to the missionary kids (MKs) was also a highlight. MK Coordinator Michelle Ellis encouraged youth to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” while Mexico MKs Grace (Breit) Valdez and Rebekah (Godzwa) Balch, along with their husbands, Roman and Luke, helped the children explore the character of God in creative ways.

The impact was evident in participants’ reflections:
“The heaviness we felt before the retreat has lifted.”
“We’ve never felt more like part of a family.”
“This retreat was an oasis.”
“I’m leaving with tools I can use in ministry.”

With our MMF Leadership Team, Peter and Delia Breit, Cory and Angela Hogan, and Carolyn Marton, who coordinated the retreat, we thank God for a week of refreshing, healing, and equipping—and we look ahead with renewed strength for the journey to come.

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