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Stepping into Our Most Pivotal Role—With Your Help!

June 7, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Progress, Support by Dave | No comments

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 | No comments

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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Our Northern Triad Area Director Role

March 8, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Thanks by Dave | Permalink

We are so grateful for your partnership as we serve the Northern Triad—Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. As we conclude our participation in the Latin America Caribbean (LAC) Area Director (AD) Meetings, we want to share more about our role and how your support empowers us to come alongside our 69-member global worker team, equipping them to thrive in their calling as they share the hope of the living Jesus with a population largely unengaged by an accurate representation of the gospel.

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One of our greatest joys is caring for global workers and their families. Through member care, we encourage them, foster healthy relationships, and provide crisis support when challenges arise. We want to see each one thriving, both in their ministry and in their personal lives.

We also have the privilege of providing strategic direction, helping global workers navigate their calling, strengthening collaboration with the national church, and ensuring clear and effective communication. Strong partnerships are key to advancing the gospel, and we are committed to fostering them.
In addition to guiding the work, we carry the responsibility of administrative oversight, monitoring ongoing operations and making key decisions to ensure the overall ministry remains effective and sustainable. There’s always something to navigate, but we’re thankful for God’s wisdom and grace in leading through each challenge.

Another area close to our hearts is leadership development. From the very start of a global worker’s assignment, we look for ways to help them grow. Through training, mentoring, and ongoing support, we invest in their potential, equipping them for greater impact.

Every step we take is possible because of your prayers, generosity, and heart for missions. Thank you for standing with us as we support those establishing the Church among all peoples in the Northern Triad!

Photo Captions:

  1. The LAC AD Team met last week to make strategic decisions and improve our member care services.

  2. Part of our leadership development role includes competency training. Last month, we led new global workers through online Bible training.

  3. While serving as ADs, we’re also connecting with supporters nationwide—here with Life Stream Church at their missions convention.

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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A Privileged Position

February 8, 2025 in Ministry, Missions, Prayer by Dave | Permalink

One of the greatest aspects of our role is the opportunity to collaborate with the dedicated teams of global workers serving across the Northern Triad. We hold deep respect for our friends in Mexico, appreciate the growing connections with our colleagues in the Dominican Republic, and were truly impressed after meeting the Cuba Team for the first time at their field retreat in Branson, MO (January 27–30).


The Cuba Team: (left to right) Bob and Michelle Perez, Brad and Shelly Foltz, Dick and Cynthia Nicholson, Daniel and Therese* Irizarry, Damien and Mirla* Zinacola, David and Kelly Godzwa, Paul and Lana Duda (*not pictured)

Ministry in Cuba is challenging. Although it is not a closed country, global workers cannot reside there. Instead, they must schedule their travel months in advance and obtain a religious visa, which grants them access and authorization to carry out their work. Once on the ground, shortages of everything from electricity to gas and from construction materials to food require meticulous logistical planning. They must anticipate changes in circumstances, develop alternate courses of action, and stockpile necessary supplies for their projects. Nevertheless, this team, led by Daniel and Therese Irizarry, finds ways to facilitate the establishment of the church in this needy country.

Undoubtedly, their combined decades of service in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, as well as their time in Cuba, contribute to their effectiveness despite the difficult conditions. Their breadth of experience also gives them the versatility needed to navigate the obstacles they face. The group consists of skilled administrators, builders, church planters, community developers, evangelists, and mission strategists. However, their defining characteristic is their commitment to one another and their trust in the Lord.

When a recent series of unfortunate events unfolded, raising questions about the future of the group and its ministry, veteran worker Paul Duda’s words were exemplary. He stated, “I remember several times in the last 15 years when it sounded like Cuba could shut down—but God! Let’s keep praying; His will be done.”

Now, as we step into our role as area directors, coming alongside this remarkable team in support, we recognize there is a steep learning curve. Yet, we feel embraced by this gracious group who has been willing to share their experiences to help increase our effectiveness. And that guidance couldn’t come at a better time, especially as unprecedented opportunities for ministry must be balanced with significant personnel changes.

Will you pray for this team and for us as we reset for this new day in Cuba?

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Running Strong Into the New Year

January 11, 2025 in Ministry, Progress by Dave | Permalink

We look back on 2024 with gratitude, but we’re asking the Lord for more in 2025, running with perseverance the race He has marked out for us. That race began early on December 28th with an actual marathon. Dave ran the Run for the Ranch Marathon in Springfield, MO, completing the 26.2-mile effort in 3:18:53 and qualifying for the Boston Marathon—a BQ!

Riding that high, we kicked off a two-week tour to enlist new workers at the Chi Alpha Southeast (XA SE) Salt, encourage colleagues during the National Convention of the Assemblies of God of the Dominican Republic (DR), and inspire the church as we continue our advocacy work for the Northern Triad.

The XA SE Salt (January 2-5) in Asheville, NC, was an opportunity to connect with missions-minded university students. We shared meals with 8 groups interested in and eager to know how to get involved with what God is doing in Mexico, Cuba, and the DR. We’re especially thankful for the 56 students who entered the missions pipeline after their time with our Latin America Caribbean (LAC) team, taking the next step toward cross-cultural service.

The National Convention of the Assemblies of God of the DR (January 8-10) was our first visit to the country as Northern Triad Area Directors. We were impressed by the capable global worker (GW) team that is establishing the church in innovative ways. We spent meaningful time with the GW families, familiarizing ourselves with their ministry and assuring them of our support. We also met the national church leadership and heard their heart for church planting and ministry among the displaced Haitian community.

Our continuing tour is bookended by missions services in St. Louis, MO and Wilbraham, MA. On December 29th, we expressed our gratitude for Comunidad Cristiana Maranata’s faithful support and invited them to increase their involvement in the discipleship of the nations. January 12th is our first chance to speak at Evangel A/G, and we’re excited about the variety of groups we’ll interact with—children, youth, and adults!

We’re running strong in 2025. Thanks for sustaining us with your prayers and support!

Photo Captions:

  1. Before the Convention, we went to La Vega, DR, visiting team members and ministry sites. Here, GWs Mitch Martinez and Joseph Kim pray for a Haitian pastor.
  2. The LAC Team at the XA SE SALT Conference at our booth in the Missions Lounge
  3. All smiles before Dave’s BQ! Kelly, Jonathan, and our friend, Bethany, cheered him on.

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The Hope of Advent

December 16, 2024 in Devotional, Ministry, Missions by Dave | Permalink

As we prepare this newsletter during Advent, we are reminded of the paradoxes in our world. While Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven, its fullness remains unrealized. As believers, we rejoice in what we’ve experienced in Christ yet long for its complete manifestation in us and others.

These contrasts were evident during our recent travels to Mexico and Cuba. In Mexico (Nov. 9–15), we attended the biennial council of our national church partners. We celebrated progress, including new opportunities for church planting in the Laguna District and testimonies of students being discipled on campuses in Guanajuato and Mexico City. Yet, alongside these victories, we supported colleagues navigating complex challenges, praying for redemption in difficult situations.

Our first trip to Cuba (Dec. 3–5) to meet the national church leadership revealed both remarkable growth and significant struggle. The church is thriving, with small groups and baptisms multiplying rapidly. Yet, this growth is overshadowed by hardships—hurricanes, an earthquake, and an energy crisis—that leave families and ministries struggling to meet basic needs. Witnessing these extremes left us deeply moved, grappling with the tension of joy and suffering.

In such contradictions, we find hope in the words of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 6:9–10, he describes being “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” His hope was rooted in the promise of Christ’s return, when his work to reconcile a lost world with its Creator would be vindicated. This is the hope of Advent—a hope that shapes our actions and sustains us as we labor for God’s Kingdom.

This Advent season, we thank you for your prayers and contributions that enable us to partner with missionaries and national churches in the Northern Triad. Please pray for the continued advancement of God’s Kingdom in our area and that, despite present challenges, we remain steadfast in hope and faithful to His mission.

Photo Captions:

  1. Mexico Global Workers gathered during the national church council in Guadalajara, Mexico
  2. In Cuba with education leaders Ariel Sánchez and his wife, Mayker (left), and Yban Cordovi (by Dave). Daniel Irizarry (center) was our guide.
  3. Short on resources, the Cuban church is resourceful, refurbishing outdated presses to print evangelism and discipleship materials. 

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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Increasing Our Capacity

November 9, 2024 in Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Progress by Dave | Permalink

In our advocacy work, we’ve been sharing about the state of the mission. While we thank God for our movement’s tremendous growth, we’re humbled by the unfinished task and the more than 3 billion who have little to no access to the gospel. We realize that we cannot be content with the status quo. To rise to the challenge, we must increase our capacity.

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We’re glad to say this past month has given us reason to believe we’re progressing on multiple fronts. Welcoming new Global Workers (GWs), we’re increasing in number. Strategizing with fellow leaders, we’re retooling for greater effectiveness, and emphasizing prayer, we’re increasing our sensitivity.

Many hands make light work, so it was with pleasure that we joined the team that welcomed 27 new associate and several candidate GWs participating in Pre-Field Orientation (PFO) week in Springfield, MO (Oct. 13-18). We introduced the Bible In Ministry Competency to the group and confirmed a new worker for the Northern Triad who’s headed to central Mexico.

An old boss used to say, “Work smarter, not harder.” However, working smarter requires an arduous process called evaluation. So as Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) strives to increase our effectiveness, we’re learning to embrace it. Following PFO, we met with the Global Resource Training Team (GRTT) to advance the restructuring of initial GW training to increase relevance and reduce redundancy, while at the Global Leadership Summit (Oct. 22-27) we learned how AGWM as a whole is reinventing itself as a dynamically developing organization, providing GWs opportunities for growth at all levels.

Of course, without the Lord’s direction, even our best efforts would be in vain. Therefore, we’re taking more time for prayer, personally and corporately, to listen to Him and discern His will.

Yes, the need is great, but we’re increasing our capacity to meet it. Thanks for supporting us in our efforts!

Photo captions:

  1. During PFO Week in Springfield, MO, we welcomed new candidate GW, Liz Dyvig, to the Northern Triad. She’s preparing for ministry in central Mexico.
  2. Following our time at PFO, we gathered with the GRTT to evaluate and improve GW training.
  3. Prayer is a key part of all our events, including the Global Leadership Summit.

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Make New Friends…

October 12, 2024 in Ministry, Prayer, Progress by Dave | Permalink

…but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.

Do you remember that old song? It’s a chorus that describes our past month well as we begin the process of integrating the Northern Triad, the new area we lead, a union of Assemblies of God World Missionaries who labor in Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, and continue our advocacy work here in the US.

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We took our first step in the integration process when we met with both the Dominican Republic and Cuba teams for the first time. These virtual sessions were a moment of transition for each team as they said farewell to their former area directors and welcomed us into our new leadership role. It was eye-opening to hear of the ongoing work in each country, from church planting, construction, and Bible distribution under extreme circumstances in Cuba to young adult ministries and ministries of compassion to refugees in the Dominican Republic. We left these meetings encouraged by their efforts and optimistic about what these new friendships can achieve.

At the same time we experienced multiple moments of affirmation on the itineration trail as old friends like veteran missionaries Rich and Jenni DeMartino advocated for us to speak at their home church in Ephrata, PA; our former youth pastor, Jim Grove, hosted us for a Wednesday night service in Erie, PA; and Kevin and Taurina Smith graciously named us as featured speakers during Northland Cathedral’s Missions Experience in Kansas City, MO. We are humbled by the open doors these friends and so many others have given us to share about the work in the Northern Triad and to influence their congregations.

Old friends and new, as we work together, we believe the best is yet to come. Thank you, faithful ones, for standing with us with your prayers and support and for welcoming these new members to the team!

Photo Captions:

  1. Dave shares about our expanded leadership role as Northern Triad Area Directors during the opening service of Northland Cathedral’s Missions Experience.

  2. Kelly shares her story with the ladies of Northland Cathedral.

  3. Our time with the DeMartinos in Ephrata, PA also included a ride in their convertible!

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Introducing the Northern Triad Area

September 14, 2024 in Mexico, Ministry, Missions, Progress by Dave | Permalink

After the release of our June newsletter, titled “Unfinished Business in Mexico City,” several people asked if our role in missions was changing. At the time, we reassured them that we were only leaving the field to start itineration. Little did we know how accurate their suspicions were—our role is indeed changing, dramatically.

Dave joined LAC Regional Director, David Ellis (right), to discuss the Northern Triad Area with Mexican Superintendent, Enrique Gonzalez, during a special trip to Mexico last month.

On Friday, June 19th, our Regional Director, David Ellis, pulled us into the storage closet of the Latin America Caribbean (LAC) Satellite Office (for lack of a better meeting room) to ask us if we would be willing to serve as directors of a newly formed area that would join Mexico with Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Of course, the question caught us completely off guard. At the time, we were preparing to teach the Bible to the nearly 200 global workers (GWs) who had gathered in Springfield, MO for Pre-Field Training. We certainly hadn’t contemplated a regional restructure of this nature!

However, as the reasons for the change were explained, our reaction shifted from speechlessness to agreement. Throughout his tenure, David Ellis aimed to restructure the LAC to eliminate one-country areas like Mexico in the interest of fostering cross-country collaboration and fellowship among GWs. However, the right configuration eluded him until this summer when Caribbean Area Directors, David and Kristen Speer, proposed merging Cuba and the Dominican Republic with Mexico. This would enable them to focus on opportunities in the 29 non-Spanish-speaking nations of their area without neglecting the important work in those Spanish-speaking islands. With our yes, the Northern Triad Area was conceived.

We say conceived because we’re still in the birthing process. While we’ve spent 18 years in Mexico, we’re still students of the people and their culture. Now, extending our leadership to these additional countries, virtually unknown to us, we feel a tremendous responsibility to learn and grow for the sake of the GWs we’ll be leading and the national churches with whom we’ll be collaborating. There are still many meetings to attend, teams to integrate, and relationships to form. The new structure will be formalized on October 1st, but the work will have only just begun.

Although we feel the burden of this new role, we’re not overwhelmed because we sense God’s direction and the backing of colleagues and friends like you. We’re confident that as our responsibility increases your prayers and support will rise to meet our needs in this critical season.

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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