It's My Story and I'm Sticking To It.

What can I say but wow I'’ve meet so few people that I consider warriors (someone engaged in or experienced in warfare) much less front-line warriors for God. And then last night I was introduced to one, his name is Pastor Rick Del Rio. If you have not seen or heard of a film called “"Pastor Harley'” by Felix Olivies please by any means get a hold of one and view it. For that matter show it to everyone you know.

Pastor Rick Del Rio was the first pastor at the 911 disaster. He established prayer stations forming a ground zero clergy force where ministers from all denominations could come to work together. The film not only shows and talks about what his ministry has done to reach the community but gives testimonies of what happen during his involvement in the 911 disaster. Also included is a short history of his church and the trials his family has endured.

I have been aware of ministry my entire lifetime starting with my grandfather who was a pastor and I'’ve seen very few true warriors. I'’m talking about men who have not only chosen to lay down their own lives but also chosen to pick up the will of another, their Father's in heaven.

One such a man is Max Torres who until a year ago I had only heard many great stories of. Then came the hurricanes Katrina and Rita and during this time we worked along side helping out anyone needing disaster relief at Somebody Cares in Houston. Anywhere from giving out gift cards, hauling supplies and unloading semis coming from Houston to Beaumont and New Orleans.

Max is a speaker in classes and school assemblies, and while in Houston a Community Liaison with the Houston Police Department addressing community issues. Through his ministry CrossRoad Youth, he has trained many student leaders for service in various agencies both on and off-campus. Max and his wife Dahlia embrace the unceasing task of being 'an open ear, caring heart, and extended hand' to many of today's troubled youth both in schools and in the community.

Max has traveled through out the world ministering in seminars and conferences to youth on leadership. He also is a servant to other pastors in their time of need. Through his years in front-line ministry he has left a lasting impact on the lives of these he has come into contact with. He is not a typical pastor, believing in working himself out of a job by training others to take his place. Then moving on to the next assignment that God has placed in his heart thus the move to California. Where he is Director of Programs for Bayshore Ministries in Plato Alto.

Another would be my pastor for the past eleven years Doug Stringer. Doug has mentored many men and women who have come through the doors of Turning Point in the past 25 years, many ministries have sprung up all over the world because of his FatherÂ’s heart.

Doug is considered a bridge-builder and ambassador of reconciliation amongst various ethnic and religious groups. His heart burns with an evangelistic passion to see people reached with the Gospel and to presents a prophetic challenge of consecration, commitment, and action.

Somebody Cares initiated a mentoring program for youth known as Youth Guidance Consultants, and developed an anti-gang and at-risk youth intervention handbook, along with the Max Torres and utilized by the Police Department. An annual back-to-school youth outreach called X-Day at the Bay and benevolent aid during Christmas known as Holiday of Hope have been integral parts of Somebody Cares’ efforts. In addition, Somebody Cares has been involved in awareness and training programs for potential adoptive parents known as Hope in Houston. He is a frequent presenter at workshops such as “Save Our Children, Seminar of Youth Problems, “A Forum on Racial & Ethnic Tensions in Schools, as well as Cultural Awareness forums.

In a time were there is so many sugar coated Christians practicing sugar coated religion it'’s a relief to see warriors that truly speak from the Father’s heart. I believe God has placed something special in these men'’s hearts and other true front-line warriors. It gives them not only the ability to go where no one else would go and do what no one else would do, but at the same time express the zeal and excitement to be there. They are warrior'’s who'’s hearts are filled with the joy of the Lord and only want to express the Fathers love to everyone. They donÂ’t ask for much and no matter what obstacles are placed in their way they continue to go on a journey of a lifetime.

Another warrior of God was my grandfather a pastor. Whenever he would come to visit us on a short vacation he would always stand at the door with his bible in his hand. After a few minutes he would go sit down for a while and read his bible. A short time later he would head back to the door. Being of tall stature, 6ft 3in, well at least to me; it was not hard to notice him standing there. As he would look out intently I use to wonder at the age of eight why he would keep going back to look out the screen door. As though there was something out there he needed go do and if someone would have opened the door he have gladly stepped out. Not long afterwards on another short visit I came to realize that all he wanted to do was the “Fathers will” to satisfying the tug at his heart. A force greater then him was working on the inside and during these times he so wanted to be released to do what he was called for. I know he loved all of us but there was a love greater inside him that had to be released. Sadly he died a few years later but his love of life and of God made an impact on my life forever and the imagembedded at the door is imbedded in my mind always. I see the same thing in men like Rick, Max and Doug they long to do the will of God the Father. They have the tug in their hearts everyday and they long for it and they do so by any means. The money is not great and the rest is even less. But they do it because they have a tug in their hearts that needs to be released.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

If you have had a tug on your heart to do something great to help God'’s front-line warriors who truly seeks to do the will of God. Consider helping these three front line warriors continue with the ministries that God has placed in their hearts.

Pastor Rick Del Rio
Abounding Grace Ministries
New York, NY
Where Sin Abounds, Grace Does Much More Abound. Romans 5:20
http://www.agmin.org/

Rev Rueben Max Torres
CrossRoads Ministries
And we know that God causes all things to work together
for good to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
http://rmaxt.blogspot.com/

J. Doug Stringer
Turning Point Ministries/Somebody cares
A true witness rescues live. Proverbs 14:25
http://www.dougstringer.com/