CTM Newsletter - November 2025

Nov 10

Coming Together Ministries
Trip to Peru October 2025
Testimonial

It had only been my second time out of the country, and my second time flying. I had been praying about joining Coming Together Ministries on the trip to Peru, and God gave me assurance to move forward. He promised me that everything would be safe. The political unrest in Peru was a serious issue to take into consideration. But The Lord spoke to my heart and told me that He was sending me to Peru for a reason, and that I would know the reason when I got there. Even with all this guarantee from the Lord, I still had doubts. “What am I possibly going to contribute to this trip?” “My story isn’t really worth anything”, I would hear in my mind. I heard these thoughts in my voice, so I believed them. But truly, it was the voice of the Devil trying to discourage me.

In my morning devotion with my fiancee, I read a promise in Psalm 31 that encouraged me: “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24). It reminded me of Joshua 1:9: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I knew then what I needed to do. I was either going to worship God in faith, or the Devil in fear. I chose God, and I moved forward – onward to Peru.

Interesting things happened before we even left the country. When I landed in Houston, Texas to meet up with Michael, a heavy downpour started. Sheets of rain fell, that I could barely see out of the window of the plane. There were clear, blue skies the entire flight. God spared us from having to land in that downpour. Our plane to Peru was delayed three hours, and upon boarding we learned why. We were told that our plane was still in Chicago, and that the plane we were on was scheduled to go to another country, but they decided to cancel that flight so that we could go to Peru. It seems it would have been easier to cancel the flight to Peru since our actual aircraft was in another state – but God had other plans. The Lord was showing us that He had plans for us in Peru, and the Devil wasn’t going to stop them. It gave me solid confirmation that God ordained this trip.

God exceeded my expectations in Peru. As a team we worshiped together, laughed together, cried together, served together. Michael, Harrison, and I shared our testimonies with the teachers, pastors, seminary students, academy students, university students, and families at Universidad Peruana Union in Lima, Colegio Adventista El Buen Pastor, one of the local Seventh Day Adventist churches, as well as the church on campus. Michael and Ivonne gave powerful presentations on having a redeemed identity in Christ at the same locations. Ivonne also gave a special presentation at the Good Hope Clinic, an influential Seventh Day Adventist clinic in Miraflores, Peru.

Each time after sharing my testimony, I was humbled by the impact it made on so many lives. People approached me and told me how powerful my testimony was, and that they now believe there is hope for them in their struggles with same sex attraction, and healing, and restoration from sexual abuse and trauma. At the same time, it opened my eyes to the silent cries for help and the incredible need of awareness for the leaders of the school in Peru and education on sexual sin and how to overcome. I learned that like other Latin countries, Peru is very conservative, and no one speaks openly about struggling with any type of sexual sin, trauma, or abuse. Many suffer silently, and those who are in a position to help have lacked the resources to be able to support. The leaders at the school in Peru were overwhelmed with joy that Ivonne and Coming Together Ministries came to labor in love for the edification of the precious souls in Peru. It blessed my heart to see the leaders so touched, transformed, and ready to make changes. It blessed me even more to learn that telling my story had something to do with that.

The Lord also gave me a beautiful new family. I grew to love Pastor Hugo and his wife Monica, who unofficially adopted me as her hija (daughter), and they became my Peruvian padre (father) and madre (mother). Seeing their beautiful relationship and Pastor Hugo’s love and labors for the community as a true man of God brought even more healing into my life. While ministering with Harrison, the Lord opened my eyes to see that He brought a brother into my life. I found a sister in Ivonne, and God sealed the deal of Michael being the ultimate ministry dad. Our families in Christ are so much bigger than our earthly families. The only way we’ll ever know that is if we trust our lives in His hands to do His service.

I can’t see myself doing anything else now. I heard from many people of how my testimony encouraged them, but to know that what God has done for me could free just one person, was itself worth it all.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36 KJ

Founders Corner

Hope and Healing at UPeU, Peru

Empowering Leaders for Families and Sexual Integrity

From October 28 to November 2, 2025, our ministry team had the privilege of visiting Universidad Peruana Unión (UPeU), located just outside the city of Lima, Peru. We were invited by Ivonne Restrepo of Hartland College to participate in a program designed to enlighten and equip leaders with biblical tools for promoting sexual integrity and healing.

I was joined by Errone Kemp and Harrison Umaña, both of whom shared powerful testimonies of deliverance and redemption. Together, we ministered to the university leadership, pastors from the Lima Conference, and educators attending the event. We also spoke to students at the local academy and to the pastoral theology students at UPeU.

Throughout our time at UPeU, many lives were touched. Tears were shed as students and church leaders opened up about personal struggles, past abuse, and hidden addictions, seeking prayer, guidance, and support. It was a sacred moment to witness the Holy Spirit moving so powerfully—bringing truth to light and hope to hurting hearts.

The Sabbath program was especially moving. During the Divine Service, I shared the message of hope and restoration found in Christ, and in the afternoon, Harrison and Errone testified of God’s transforming power in their lives. As hearts were stirred, a Q&A session followed—over 200 questions were submitted, revealing a deep hunger for understanding, healing, and spiritual freedom.

The pastor and the director of the psychology department both acknowledged that this issue reaches far beyond the campus, affecting the broader Adventist community in Lima. As a result, plans for future programming and continued collaboration are already underway, and we are prayerfully looking forward to returning next year to build on what God has begun.

End-of-Year Fundraising Event: “With Your Help, We Can Reach One More”

As this year draws to a close, we invite you to join us in our mission to bring healing and hope to more lives around the world. Our end-of-year fundraising event, entitled “With Your Help, We Can Reach One More,” is now underway.

Every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000! We are a 501(c)(3) and tax deductible receipts will be sent out after the first of the year.

Your support helps us continue offering programs like this one—bringing truth, restoration, and freedom through Christ to individuals and leaders everywhere.

To give a one-time or monthly donation, please visit: comingtogetherministries.org

Support this campaign at: comingtogetherministries2025.funraise.org

Thank you for your prayers, generosity, and partnership.

Together, with your help, we truly can reach one more!