Transformation Testimony: Tirrases (Part 4 of 4)

Yes, this is the fourth in a wonderful series we've gotten to have this week. You can check out the rest of them by just looking around the blog. Or you can see the videos by going to our YouTube Channel. Anyway, we have saved the best for last. This is one of the most amazing stories we've seen so far: God healed this woman through the Tirrases ministry of Christ For the City International. And not of anything small, either...

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None of this would be possible without the support of people like you. If God touched your heart through this testimony, please consider giving to the ministry of Christ For the City International around the world. You won't regret it.

Transformation Testimony: Tirrases (Part 3 of 4)

God is heavily at work in the ministry of Tirrases. Earlier this week, we posted a video about how He was working in one family by building their faith in ways the rest of the church had not done. Then, we showed how even something as innocuous as a party can have eternal consequences. Today, we would like you to see that God is using Tirrases to build the kinds of habits that develop character. Check it out below!

And please remember that we would love to have your continued involvement in our work and in the things that God is doing. Your support, quite literally, means the world to us.

Transformation Testimony: Tirrases (Part 2 of 4)

Today we pick up with this, our second in a series on the transformation that has been happening in Tirrases. While the ministry is primarily to kids, the amazing thing is how God is using that to reach their family members with truth and the light of the Gospel. And it all started with a party...

Don't just be a viewer: engage! You can join the celebration by giving to the ministry of Christ For the City International. Start today!

Transformation Testimony: Tirrases (Part 1 of 4)

Welcome to the first in our series on mothers' testimonies - mothers whose lives and the lives of their children have been changed by the First Bible School of Tirrases, a ministry of Christ For the City - Costa Rica. Through the work of Horacio and Esther Lopez, the lives of many children and their families have been transformed.

And remember: this is just one ministry of the many that Christ For the City International (CFCI) is privileged to be a part of. To give to CFCI, click the link below!

Repost: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory!

Yes, this is an oldie - it's also a goodie. Enjoy!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

You know that Israel was exiled due to her own disobedience and rebellion – so what about us?

How many times do we know what to do, but don’t or choose not to do it. How many times has God been faithful to us to send people into our lives to help us and we have ignored the advice?

Lots.  It’s like the Lord is about to bring in a victory in my life and I screw it up and turn it into defeat. Literally sometimes I feel like I “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.”

Do you ever feel like that?

When I reflect on why this is true in my own life I come find that most of the time it is due to selfishness and pride. Very few times is this due to ignorance.

As this is true with me I am sure that you too have experienced this in your own life.

Paul had this same problem too – but he also knew the solution. Mediate on Romans 7 and 8 and see if you can find the answer.


For one simple way to make sure that you do not snatch defeat, partner with the ministry of CFCI through a financial donation. You'll be glad you did!

Repost: Wherever You Are, Serve Well

This is the second post in our series of posts from the past that you probably missed. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the first, Skunk in a Bottle. And don't forget to keep checking back regularly for content - we are constantly putting up new things just for you!

Three Urban Plunge participants serving at Heartland Hope Mission!

By Julie Timms, former Urban Plunge employee 


  Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to help lead a round table discussion with some college students.  The discussion centered around two main questions.  Is there such a thing as a "calling"?  Is reaching unreached people groups more important than bringing the Gospel to those in the U.S.?  Those in the room came from a mixture of backgrounds and experiences, and they all held to their own opinions on the debate.

     I wrote a post titled "Reaching Our Jerusalem".  In that post, I referenced Acts 1:8, which directs us to serve our community and city, our nation at large, and the ends of the earth.  I think that much truth can be found in that verse.  Where we are now is just as vital as "the ends of the earth".  While we should never diminish the significance of going overseas, I think that sometimes we can get caught up in the hype of the overseas missionary.  Relevant Magazine has an excellent article that discusses this subject; it's called "We Need Boring Christians".

     Based on my understanding of Jesus, I know that He loves everyone in the world equally, and He died for all.  He desires that each one of us should come into a saving faith.  Thinking about it this way, it means that the unreached people groups that have never heard the Gospel before are just as important as those in the U.S. who have potentially heard the Gospel message many times.  And the reverse is also absolutely true: Americans need to hear the Gospel and feel the love of Jesus as much as the unreached.  I think that we need to be careful not to classify non-believing Americans as unworthy of hearing and receiving the Gospel.  The mentality that they've had their chance to hear the Gospel but they rejected it should be refuted.  Someday, Jesus will return.  How will we answer Him?

     I would probably be classified as a boring Christian.  Growing up in a Midwest farm family, the furthest I've ever traveled was to Florida when I was six.  I went to a local Christian university, where a big emphasis was placed on intercultural ministry, especially going overseas.  I distinctly remember several conversations I had with different students who were Intercultural Studies majors.  They just couldn't seem to understand why I didn't want to go overseas.  I'm not in the slightest against going out of the country someday on a short-term mission trip, if the timing is right.  I don't feel called, however, to do long-term mission work out of the country.   After one mission conference session, I was talking with a student in the lunch line.  I was honest with him and said, "While listening to the guy share his incredible stories is really cool, I just don't feel that burning in my heart that God's calling me overseas." 

     I am a big proponent of local missions, marketplace ministry, and being present and active in the here and now.  I know of people with grand plans to serve God overseas someday.  It's wonderful that they feel God leading them to Africa and other places.  The problem, however, is that they are not present where God has them now.  All of their energy and focus seems to be on getting overseas someday, and they miss out on the opportunities available right where they are.

Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living. - Jim Elliot  

I think that Jim Elliot was exactly right.  We are called to serve well, wherever we are.  Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  1 Peter 4:10 states, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."  And one more verse, found in 2 Corinthians 9:7b, which easily can relate to serving: "God loves it when the giver delights in the giving."  I don't think any of these verses talk about putting your serving on hold.

Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him?  Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him?  I'm not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things - things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him." - Oswald Chambers

     I'll be the first to admit that it's not always easy to remain present and active in the here and now.  I'm a dreamer, so I have a tendency to squander my thought life thinking about a glorious, idealistic future.  God is faithful, however, and He continually brings people and opportunities into my life to ground me in the present-day.  Christ For the City offers plenty of ways to serve, both in your community and around the world.  If you're interested in going out of the country, get a group together and take a short-term mission trip to a Latin country. Or, go as a short-term individual for one month to a year.  You can even get involved in the U.S., through our Urban Plunge program.  Just by going on an Urban Plunge, you are guaranteed exposure to at least 7-9 ministries and organizations.  We make it easy to reach out and serve.  If you don't know where to start, just start small.  The more you serve, the easier it becomes.  And, I can resolutely say that God will bless your serving tenfold.

     Wherever you are, serve well.  

(Video) How God is making a difference in Nicaraguan schoolchildren

Nicaragua is a country clenched in the iron fist of poverty. According to the CIA World Factbook, more than 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line - with 14 percent living in extreme poverty (generally defined as less than $1.25 per day). One of the big reasons for this is lack of education. Check out the video below to see why the situation is the way it is, and what CFCI - Nicaragua is doing to change that.

Isn't this exciting? To be a part of the way that God is moving in the ministry of Christ For the City International, please click the link below. And believe us, this is one of the best ways to spend your money.

To Our Latest and Greatest...

Christ For the City International would like to officially welcome the two newest members of our Urban Plunge staff. Though they are only part-time, we know that God will still use them and allow them to be a blessing to the whole Urban Plunge family. But enough from us! Let their own words be their introduction. 

Christina Henderson, Urban Plunge Administrative Assistant
My dream job is to work for someone with a big picture goal and help build that dream with them. CFCI has a big dream of spreading God's Kingdom with the world, and I'm excited to see how God uses us to do that. While sending people out into the world to share the Gospel is important, we still have people here at home that need to experience God's love. I'm excited to work as the Urban Plunge Administrative Assistant because it allows to me to help build the dreams of people right here in the States. We provide opportunities that allow students to experience God's love for themselves in ways they've never been exposed to before. They also receive the eye-opening reality of people in their own city who need to know Jesus's love. Seeing people come to the understanding that their Heavenly Father is madly in love with them is one of my favorite things. I can't believe God chose me to help with this program, but I can't wait to see what He does through it! 

Marcus Brown, Urban Plunge Recruiter
Six years ago, the Lord put the calling of ministry on my heart after a short-term trip to Colombia. Since then, I have worked with inner city youth in a couple of Omaha ministries. What excites me about Urban Plunge is that God is using short-term inner city mission opportunities to spread the love of Christ. My heart was forever changed because of my missions experience, so to be a part of a ministry who is providing those same opportunities is a dream come true. 

Both of these amazing individuals mentioned dreams. The truth is you can help those dreams continue becoming a reality by giving to the ministry of Christ For the City International. Click the link below to become a part of God's dream of global transformation.

Written By: John Michael Den Hartog

IMPACT: Spring 2015 Edition

Every quarter, we like to let you, our wonderful supporters know about what's going on through a publication called IMPACT. We recognize that many of you may not receive the print edition of this lovely little letter. In lieu of that, please enjoy the latest edition of IMPACT, on the blog for the first time ever!

Written and Designed by: John Michael Den Hartog

Edited by: Amanda Jones