As those of us in the United States gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, we intentionally give thanks to God for His generosity in our lives. We thank Him for the grace of our salvation and we understand that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
Even though not every circumstance in our world is good, we trust that God can work for good in all situations, and therefore, we give thanks (Rom. 8:28; 1 Th. 5:18).
Today, I’d like to encourage and challenge you with a brief testimony from Paraguay.
A Paraguayan pastor sat deep in thought. He’d recently completed biblical worldview training and felt he’d been doing everything wrong. He prayed and continued praying.
In one particular moment, he sensed a question from the Lord: “How would you prepare your home if you were hosting a party – a party for important people?” He reflected on this. He decided he would paint, fix light fixtures, and decorate nicely. Then he felt conviction. He sensed the Lord asking him, “What would you do if you really understood that I am right here with you all the time?”
He looked at his desk, which was completely disorganized and dirty. He asked forgiveness, saying, “I’m sorry, but I never realized that I’m really before Your presence all the time.”
From then on, Hugo Gavilan developed a new family practice. If something was out of place or wasn’t done well, the family would say “Coram Deo,” and everyone would look around to see what was out of place or should be done better. They wanted their physical lives and spaces to continually acknowledge and honor God’s presence.
The principle of living “Coram Deo” – being continually before the face of God – became so important that it changed their church culture. They realized God was not just concerned about souls going to heaven, but that God had created the world comprehensively and placed His people in it to steward it, cultivating it to flourish and multiply beauty and goodness.
Formerly the church was focused on worship services, but members did not think meaningfully about how they should live the rest of the week.
In the years that followed, church members focused on applying biblical principles in many areas of societal need. Now church members help unemployed people understand how to work with excellence and secure meaningful jobs. Another church member is preparing to launch a program that will train believers to apply biblical principles within government. Still more members are bringing biblical worldview training into prisons.
Hugo is just one of 1,708 pastors, leaders, and young people in Paraguay who have been trained in the biblical worldview over the last ten years. God has done a powerful work in the nation through the strategic direction of ASIEP (Asociación de Iglesias Evangélicas del Paraguay, which translates to the Association of Evangelical Churches of Paraguay). Hugo was actually introduced to the training by his daughter, who participated in a reading group for young people focused on biblical worldview materials.
At each level, DNA’s biblical worldview training has played an integral part. Now the ASIEP is working to “instill a biblical worldview that transforms the actions of the church and Paraguayan society towards a Kingdom vision and a country strategy.”
I was humbled and encouraged to hear how God is using DNA to bring such an impact across Paraguay and feel challenged to continue applying biblical principles in my society and daily life, living continually Coram Deo – before the face of God.
Hugo’s daughter is a DNA Kingdomizer. The transformation that Kingdomizers experience ripples outward to influence families, communities, and entire regions.
In the past year, God used DNA’s ministry to develop 350 new Kingdomizers in 62 nations, representing Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Biblical truth has the power to transform not only individual lives, but entire nations. Will you help us continue to expand the reach of this transformative training with a year-end gift?
DNA is open-handed, freely sharing its biblical worldview training materials so that individuals and organizations around the world can contextualize it and use it in their region.
Your gift today will help us expand the reach of this transformative training. If you’ve given before, please partner with us through your ongoing support.
If you have never made a gift, please consider giving now! Perhaps you could give $5, $20, or $100? How has DNA impacted you? How much was it worth to you?
May you experience the blessing of God as His Spirit helps you apply biblical principles in your daily life and society.
