My Story

Why I Became a Missionary

     Everyone has a story. Usually, when one stops to look back to see how one gets to a certain point in life, it ends up being a series of both small and big decisions and events that get you to where you are. My story is no more special than yours. Simply put, it is my story.

     I gave my life to Christ at a very early age. Growing up in a Christian home was a blessing. My parents, although not perfect, tried to be living examples of Christians. My sister and I would grow up seeing our parents become leaders in the congregation. Myself, well I was far from perfect. On the outside, I appeared to be the shinning star! My walk with Christ was not all it could have been. Maybe some of you can relate with that.

     During my high school years my father would battle cancer. That hit my very hard. My father was always an example of strength and faith during his life andespecially during the illness. I witnessed during these difficult times how the church family can be there for you. I realized there were people in my life that truly loved us and supported us. The missionary team in Miami were there for us as a family. They often visited our family both at home and in the hospital. The Morgan family has always been a big part of our lives. During these difficult years my friendship with Rachel Morgan blossomed into love. Rachel was my friend and often listened to my struggles. I went away to Pepperdine University on a scholarship while Rachel waited for me and finished high school. When I came home for Christmas break I realized my father was dying. I decided to stay home to be closer to the family during this difficult time. Both of my parents struggled with my decision. My father made me promise him, that I would not stop going to school. My father also often told me, “I hope one day you become a preacher for our congregation.” I knew that if I wanted to, I could probably preach. But, that is not what I wanted to do. My father died six months later in June of 1992.

     As you all know, we got married shortly (3 months) after Rachel graduated high school. In my mind our future was well planned out. The plan was to go to school to become a Physical Therapist, make lots of money, and have a family. Oh yeah, and on the side I could help out with the teens at church. See, what really happenned is that God had different plans. Our congregation found itself without a person to lead or teach the youth. I was asked to help teach the Bible class on Sunday mornings. I gave it a try. It was really weird because I was only a few years older than most of the young people I was teaching. Rachel and I really enjoyed helping out with the youth. We did this for a couple of years. We often talked about how wonderful it would be to be able to reach out to all of the Spanish speaking immigrants entering our country. We felt amazing when we were working with the young people. At that time, Rachel was working full time as a dental assistant and I had been working on all my prerequisites for a physical therapy program. Getting into the programs was and continues to be very competitive. There was a new program opening up the following semester at Florida Atlantic University. They were only accepting 14 students for the first class. Rachel and I prayed about getting into this program. We prayed constantly. Entering into this program worked well with our plan, it was what we always dreamt about. However, we both felt a struggle within us. We were always excited about working with the young people, and we were seeing God do amazing things through the mission team like “Con La Biblia Abierta.” So we prayed some more. Then, out of the blue, an elder from the Sunset Church of Christ in Miami called us and said, “We are looking for a new youth minister, we think you should be the guy.” A few days later our good friend and mentor Joe Roberts from the Suncoast Church called us and said, “our church is looking for a youth minister, I have talked to the elders and they want to meet with you.” As you can imagine Rachel and I were excited, honored, and confused all at the same time. This, although really cool, was not what we were praying about. This was not part of our plan. We felt like we needed help in making this decision. So we went to the leaders of the congregation at Hialeah, which also included the missionaries there. They responded, by telling us that they

needed us, and we actually got an invitation from the mission team to join the work.

     Once again, we were excited and confused. Rachel and I prayed and thought about becoming missionaries. We knew life would not be easy, but we felt a peace and excitment about the possibility. This all happenned in one week. On Friday that week we received a phone call from the director of the new Physical Therapy program at Florida Atlantic University. The director told me, “Luis you know we are just accepting 14 students to this class. Luis, you are number 15. I am sorry you are not part of the class, but congratulations you are our first alternate, should anyone drop out before the classes start you can take that position.” As you can imagine, I was devastated. Rachel and I prayed and just like that, we knew God had been answering our prayer all along. We knew right then and there that we would become missionaries. I am proud of the decision we made so many years ago. Rachel and I have never regreted it. There have been difficulties along the way, but never regret. God has blessed us in so many ways because of our decision to become missionaries.  Jesus said to go into all the world to preach the Gospel. That is what I signed up for. That is what I live for. That is my passion. Television and radio has given us the oportunity to preach the Gospel into all the world. Now, the internet, allows us to reach even more people.

     The future of our mission work is bright. With your support, we will continue to preach Christ crucified and resurrected, to the ends of the Earth. Not everyone will leave their cities to preach. Not everyone will give up careers or jobs to preach. That is okay. But, we are all missionaries to the people in our lives. Just the same way God blessed our little and big events in our lives,God is doing the same for you. Look, the harvest is plentiful, we need more workers.

     This is my story. Not better or special. Simply put, my story.