Viral Multiplication In Hispanic Churches: How to Plant and Multiply Disciple-Making Hispanic Churches in Twenty-first Century America

INTRODUCTION

After twelve years of hard work planting and revitalizing churches in Kentucky, the Holy Spirit guided me, the spiritual father of the house, the pastor and the founder of Fuente de Avivamiento International Ministry, to write about the values, principles, and operation of Christ’s Church under a kingdom mentality. The firm purpose of this book is to develop kingdom leaders who plant effective churches in homes, communities, and the nations.

This powerful book, full of practical principles that transcend cultures and contexts, was written for the purpose of bringing unity, clarity, rhythm, and fluency to the process of planting and revitalizing healthy churches. The aim is for all the men and women of God who daily give their time, effort, service, talents, and finances to plant radical and lively churches to have within their reach a useful tool to lead them to find encouragement and peace. This book will also allow them to refocus their local vision for the sake of God’s vision, which will make their work more effective.

This powerful book is a work tool that provides valuable information worthy of being retained. You will find in it everything from how to be an effective kingdom leader to how to handle your call to lead and operate in the anointing of multiplication to increase the DNA of mother churches. You will also learn key steps in the process of organizing the local church, planting mother churches that, in turn, plant other churches and make disciples into leaders. God has given us a radical, transformative, and forward-moving apostolic vision to change and transform communities and nations, ultimately bringing about a breakthrough in the spiritual atmosphere over the United States and the world.

This book will become a ministerial sword for God’s warriors. Use it to learn, make decisions, and dream with your people about what they can become, in God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as we mark our destiny under the leadership of Jesus.

PART 1

Kingdom Leadership

A church is as strong as the strength of its leaders and their capacity to lead.

CHAPTER 1

The DNA of Kingdom Leadership

The Price of the Vision

I was born in Cuba in 1974. Although I originally studied as a veterinarian, upon meeting the Lord I became a pastor only six months after my conversion! Before my encounter with the Lord, my life was a disaster on the inside, though from the outside it would have seemed perfect to everyone else. I had not only money but everyone’s love and respect. Nevertheless, I felt an emptiness in my life that I tried to fill by finding someone to love, someone to make happy, someone with integrity who would really be there for me.

When I met Yanet, my first wife, she brought such peace to my life; so much that I no longer desired to go to parties or anything that would put my relationship with my new love at risk. Moreover, I was tired of the people in the world, the women and the friends who didn’t have anything positive to offer. At this crucial point in my life, I decided to explore new ways of finding happiness, so I decided to attend a campaign at the Methodist church in Cuba. That night they were speaking about Christ, saying that He healed, saved, set people free from pain and sadness, and that He could give me a new life. Being a curious person, I decided to put it all to the test, no matter the risk or the consequences.

At that moment, the preacher looked at me and said loudly, God has a plan for your life; but instead of receiving the word, I doubted, because I had heard the same message from other preachers and satanic priests. The service continued with great revival and fire. When it was over, I walked out wondering what was happening with the people being prayed for who were falling to the floor and standing back up saying that they had had a great experience with God. What was so great about being laid out on the floor in front of everyone? At the time, I rationalized that the preacher could be playing a trick or maybe the people falling down were hungry and dizzy.

Nevertheless, the next day I decided to find out for myself what was happening when the preacher laid hands on the people; and to my surprise I found myself also laid out on the floor, crying and laughing at the same time, not only in front of my wife, my family, and my friends but also in front of strangers. As soon as I was able, I stood to my feet and left the church, set on never returning again; but, as much as my mind questioned it, it was impossible to deny the experience I had lived. After that night, something had changed in me. I felt a peace that surpassed my own understanding. In my house, I found a Bible and I began to read the Gospels to know more about Jesus. I spoke to my mother and my friends about Christ’s love and forgiveness, and I returned to the church three months later to give my life to the Lord. This time something had truly changed inside me.

In the Methodist church, the manner in which John Wesley tackled the most polemic issues in the Bible caught my attention in such a way that I began to study it. I also studied the life and work of John Wesley, who became a window through which I was able to see what it means to be a true Christian in this world, which is circumscribed to being like Christ, the perfect man.

God has placed many influential men and women in my life to guide me. My pastor in Cuba, Jorge Riaño, is a strong believer and a transparent pastor. He taught me the Bible and the tradition of John Wesley. These teachings built a solid foundation in my heart and protected me from getting lost in the false doctrines and teachers operating in my hometown.

My life changed when I arrived in December 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky. My heart was full of dreams before all the possibilities that this beautiful land offers. I believed that anyone could prosper if they worked hard to obtain a better position in life. When I left Cuba, I knew nothing of the plans God had for me. I just wanted to be a successful veterinarian in the United States and live as a Christian, obedient to God, my pastor, and my church. Before leaving the island, I prayed, I just want a Methodist church close enough to my sister Ismeivys’s house that I can walk to it. Also, I don’t want to lose my soul to the prosperity of that country. When I arrived at Ismeivys’s house, I noticed that Beuchel Methodist Church was only two blocks away. Once again, God confirmed to me that He was listening to my prayers.

Every area of my personal life was affected by immigrating to the United States. However, the most important change was in the area of ministry. When I arrived at church for the first time in the United States, Rev. Avis O’Connor introduced me to Eliseo Mejia, who became a wonderful mentor in my life. At that moment, I began planting my first congregation at Preston Highway United Methodist Church, with great results. Seventy new believers came to the church in only three months! Eliseo Mejia asked me to work with him as a church planter for the Kentucky United Methodist Church, which I accepted, and I quickly began the process of training to be a leader.

I began as a voluntary leader at Preston Highway United Methodist Church. I never asked God to be a pastor, but when I arrived in the United States, I had to decide between my own professional dreams and God’s dream for me. God revealed to me the need within the Hispanic population, the fastest growing minority group in the United States. Although I could have made much more money as a veterinarian, God spoke to me, saying, A veterinarian? That is too easy, my son! Those who truly love me do not have ordinary and simple lives. Then the Lord told me, Set aside your professional dreams to accomplish my dream. I am calling you to full-time ministry!

After serving at Preston Highway for two years, the United Methodist Church sent me to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to plant another Hispanic church. This time with a full salary to dedicate myself solely to ministry. My wife, Yanet, and I began working hard in that city, and again a multiplication of disciples was produced. In the first few months, more than forty people accepted Christ and were baptized. The ministry grew stronger every day. In my mind, everything was going great. I was a successful church founder, recognized by the United Methodist Church Conference. Yanet was working faithfully at my side; I had my own five-bedroom house, a nice car—all in all, the American dream in only two years. Nothing could have been better. However, a great trial arose. Returning from a meeting for leadership training with other Hispanic pastors, my wife and I had an automobile accident in which my wife passed away.

After the accident, I was left speechless, with no desire to fight, to live, or much less to continue serving in God’s house. I was truly devastated. I didn’t want anyone to tell me how good God is or hear anyone’s well-intentioned advice. Neither did I want anyone saying to me, It was God’s will; the Lord knows what He is doing. She’s in a better place now. I just wanted to suffer my pain and live out my grief and mourn in peace. One week following the accident, God gave me a promise in Job 8:21: He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouts of joy.

As I was preparing for my wife’s funeral, I was devastated, but I heard a loud voice in my head repeating over and over again, like a broken record, 2 Corinthians 5:1. The incessant voice was like a hammer banging in my head. Because I was unable to walk on my own, my brother-in-law Abel Muñoz and my pastor Eliseo Mejia held me up. As I was walking from the parish to the church, the resounding voice persisted. As soon as I arrived at the church, I requested a Bible, found the passage, and read it aloud: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. At that moment, the Holy Spirit changed not only my physical stance but also my perspective on death and life on earth and in heaven. Those present immediately noted the transformation. As I approached the casket, I repeated the verse out loud looking upon my wife, and I felt the strength to continue.

That day at the funeral, the Holy Spirit performed a miracle. My depression and anguish were so transformed that I was able to preach the message. I received a supernatural peace that surpassed all human understanding. At that service, twelve people accepted the Lord, and those who had accompanied me during the previous week noticed the supernatural change in the man who just hours before was lying in bed crying like a child who refused to be consoled.

Following the memorial service in the United States, I took my wife to Cuba and held a funeral service with our families after traveling all over the Island with my beloved’s body, from city to city and from town to town. This was our last journey together. After finishing the funeral service in Cuba, we carried the casket to the cemetery for the final goodbye. En route to the graveyard, I preached Christ to those present, and several were converted. That day all of Yanet’s family and my own accepted Christ. As I was getting ready to lower the casket into the ground, I heard the Lord’s voice asking me if I would like to see Yanet again. I answered yes, and at that moment I had a vision of Yanet sitting, dressed in white, walking, and dancing after being raised from the grave. Then I heard another voice asking if I would like to be with her again. When I answered yes, the Lord clearly revealed to me that Yanet is in my future and not in my past. If I keep walking in the calling that God has given me, if I am faithful, the Lord promised me that I would see my first wife again in heaven. The Lord said to me, Iosmar, at this moment, stop looking back, keep your eyes on the future and you will meet again; you and I, she and you, all as one.

After that experience in Cuba, I returned to the United States and took a seven-month sabbatical to pray, fast, and seek God. I read many of John Wesley’s sermons, his works, and his biography. The fire in me for church planting began to return stronger than before, until the day I told my family, full of the Holy Spirit, Give me a pulpit or I will die. The next day, Eliseo Mejia, my spiritual father, unaware of the declaration made the day before in my living room, called to let me know that three churches were seeking me to start Hispanic congregations. During those seven months, the Lord had said to me that I was going to affect the nations, beginning with the Dominican Republic.

The moment came to choose the church that God had for me. While making my round of interviews at the three potential churches, I arrived at Pastor David Calhoun’s house. There I saw a picture of Pastor David with two Dominicans, and when I asked about it, they told me, Our church, Hope Springs, has a mission in the Dominican Republic. We go every year. At that moment, I knew that I was called to that particular church, despite the limitations and challenges being that the previous Hispanic pastor had fallen into adultery, the church had been left in ruins, and its leaders were weak and disillusioned. The scene couldn’t have been any worse. This church didn’t have any of what the other churches were offering, which included a better salary, health insurance, and a furnished house. Through that ministry, God’s promise was fulfilled. On various occasions I travelled to the Dominican Republic and preached every night at a different church, where I was well received. The church that I started at Hope Springs was named Fuente de Avivamiento (Spring of Revival), and it has been growing ever since.

I have pastored for twelve years, and I am convinced that my calling is not an emotion. Rather, it is a profound conviction of the heart, born to support and establish the Lord’s Kingdom among the Hispanic people living in the United States and abroad. My life has been radically marked by a transformative apostolic anointing, conceived in the fire of the trial that came in that terrible accident in 2003 when I lost my first wife. Now I am a different person because of the trials and difficulties I have faced, which transformed me into a pastor with a radical vision.

Although the automobile accident constituted a trial of great proportions that split my life in two, I am completely convinced that God is good, almighty, and loving. The United Methodist Church has played a very important role in my life from my conversion to my calling. Don’t be saddened by this testimony. The point is to see God’s restoration and power to heal. Today, I am married to Zulayne Álvarez, a wonderful woman who has taught me to love again. Together we have a precious little girl whose name is Sulam, a Hebrew name that means open heavens, whirlwind, door in the Spirit, and stairway to heaven. Her name is a shout of victory every time it is declared. And believe me, she is a whirlwind; her name is heard all around the house: Sulam, Sulam. God is good, and His mercy endures forever.

Exodus 34:10

He said: I hereby make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform marvels, such as have not been performed in all the earth or in any nation; and all the people among whom you live shall see the work of the LORD; for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

This word I received on the day of my conversion from a servant of God whom we lovingly call Nuri. She had told me about the Word and the importance of serving Christ ever since I was just a boy. And as you will see throughout the book, God has done and continues to do tremendous things. Here, the vision is born to transform nations beginning with homes and communities. Winning one soul at a time, training one disciple at a time, planting one church at a time.

Steps to Discovering God’s Vision for Your Life

After many years of training leaders, planting churches, and initiating new projects, I have found that one question continues to be fundamental for every sincere leader who serves Christ. They ask themselves: How am I able to have my own vision from God? I have read many books about very good visions that describe the concept well, but how do I seek God so that He would reveal to me my personal vision, the vision for my church, ministry, or organization?

Does this sound like you? I want to share with you a simple process that will take you step by step to finding God’s vision for your life and for your community.

A Burden

The first step to discovering your personal or ministerial vision is to feel a burden. What is it that weighs on your heart? When you are driving or walking around your city, what shakes you up and won’t let you sleep at night? If you can’t think of anything, get up! Go seek God’s voice for your community, drive through the streets in prayer, pay attention to what God is already doing and join Him. Whatever shatters your soul will inevitably become a burden that will fill your eyes with tears and your heart with love and will make your spirit tremble. You will experience an internal desire for divine justice, a holy longing to see God move and bring revival to your city.

A Dream

The next step occurs when the burden becomes a dream to see God transforming poverty, scarcity, and ruin into blessing and to see thousands come to the feet of Christ; the dream to see the rich and the poor, black and white, with a common heart worshiping Christ; the dream to make a difference in your generation; the dream to leave a palpable mark during the years of your pilgrimage on earth. However, dreams do not always become reality, and this happens for several reasons. Among them we find the following: a lack of character and talent, the inability to remain firm no matter what happens, a lack of commitment, and personal agendas over God’s agenda for our lives.

A Vision

The third step is when a vision takes shape. The difference between dream and vision is clear. Visions from God are backed by a clear and defined design that carry them to fulfillment. The vision is accompanied by a perfect process to make things happen. The vision recruits brave men and women for its cause. First, there must be a burden in your heart; the burden becomes a dream; a dream with clear steps to action becomes a vision, the vision of seeing the solution and the progress of life projects in action, supported by faith, while Jesus is glorified. Finally, conviction floods your heart and you are willing to pay the price for what God has given you. And you find that no one is above the vision, not even yourself.

The Manifestation Process of God’s Vision

The vision process is nothing more than the act of discovering God’s designs for a life, a city, or a nation. God, by His Spirit, reveals designs hidden since before the earth’s creation. At the same time, through God’s creative power, the human spirit is activated to see in the Spirit what—until that moment—had not yet been revealed, due to sin in the person’s life, circumstances, lack of revelation, or simply being outside God’s will and time.

Let’s see what Genesis 1 teaches us. The first thing we see declared in the first chapter of Genesis is the phrase In the beginning, which informs us that a specific chronological time did not exist, but that the beginnings from God were measured in kairos time, which is a specific time, though not defined or exact for humankind. These are the times in which God decides to do something on earth in his sovereign and perfect will in earthly time, for a place, a person, or a nation. All visions from God have a beginning, a moment when we don’t see or know anything, because they have not yet been manifested to humankind.

Let’s look at the case of John the Baptist, who wandered around the desert until the time for his ministry to be manifested in Israel.

Luke 1:80

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel. (emphasis mine)

There is a period in which God isolates us for a time; He leaves us alone to work on us and to build the base and foundation of our ministry for the development of the vision. It is a time in which we are not sure how we will ever be able to accomplish God’s vision. In fact, we don’t even have a clear and defined vision; it is only a dream, an ardent desire, a burden. It is still very obscure and we are not able to see clearly.

Genesis 1:3 says, Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. The expression God said comes from the Hebrew word vara, which means to bring to existence. God declares "vara" and brings to existence what He has determined. That is why Hebrews 11 declares that