May I take a minute to give you a report on a dear friend of mine? Ivan Paz is a pastor in Puerto Castilla, Honduras. He is also the principal of the local public school. He is married to Rossana and has two great kids, Victoria, 15 and Jairo who is 12. He, his family and several leaders from his church recently traveled 7 hours to meet our GO team in El Progreso, Honduras to conduct medical clinics and mission outreaches in several villages that have been severely affected by recent Hurricanes.

I have known Ivan for many years and even hosted him here in Wilmore, KY, but spending a week working alongside he and his family, seeing them interact and being able to share meals, experiences and ministry took our friendship to a much deeper level.

Ivan is a gentle man who is kind and clearly full of the Holy Spirit. He speaks with authority but is humble and loving to all he meets. He is a great leader of people but cares deeply for the hurting and the needy. He is a mentor to younger and older pastors and a man of prayer. He loves his work in the local school, but is also passionate about preaching the Gospel and encouraging people in their walk with Jesus. He has encouraged prayer in his church in such a way that there are people praying at the church early every morning, seven days a week.

He shared with me that this last year he really felt a challenge from the Lord to take seriously the command to train up his children and lead his family in a more Christ-like way. He began doing a daily Bible study and time of prayer with his wife and kids and shared that the fruit of that time has been transformative. He describes a new intimacy in the family and a sensitivity to what God is calling them to.

Victoria and Jairo helped our mission team as we ministered to the children who came with parents to the medical clinics we conducted in five villages with names like Campos Dos, Suyapa and San Jose. The maturity I saw developing in those two as our team shared each evening about that day’s work was so encouraging. Victoria shared with us that she would like to become a missionary dentist and serve the Lord.

Meet My Friend Ivan