Cultivating Discipleship Ministries

One of the men Toby trained is Rony.

Today, Rony oversees four churches in the Merendón Mountains and leads a Bible Institute where 19 men are preparing for ministry.

The exciting part is that these students aren't waiting until graduation to serve.

They're already:
• Leading the Lord's Supper
• Teaching Bible studies
• Preaching God's Word
• Ministering to families in their communities

This is what multiplication looks like.

When you invest in one leader, God uses that investment to reach countless others.

Thank you for helping equip faithful men who are sharing the Gospel in places we could never reach alone.

As America celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we join with millions of others in thanking God for His faithfulness.

Our nation's first president, George Washington, reminded Americans that "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States."

As we celebrate this Independence Day, may we remember that our greatest hope has never rested in our own strength but in God's grace and guidance. We pray that He will continue to bless our nation and turn hearts toward Him.

This Is Why God Called Us to the Mountains

Nearly thirty years ago, God called our family to the Merendón Mountains with one clear mission: make disciples who would make disciples.

When God opened the door through FAME, Toby and Amy said yes—even though it meant starting small.

Toby began by training just two men.

At the time, it may not have seemed like much. But God's Kingdom often begins with faithful investment in just a few people.

Today, those early disciples have become leaders who are training others across Honduras.

We are reminded of 2 Timothy 2:2:

"Entrust these things to faithful people who will be able to teach others also."

Looking back, we're grateful we simply said "yes" to God's calling.

Thank you for praying, encouraging, and giving so that this ministry could begin with two men and continue multiplying for generations to come.

Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and spiritual fathers who invest in the next generation.

Research consistently shows what many of us have experienced firsthand: fathers matter. Children with involved fathers are more likely to succeed in school, enjoy better emotional health, and make wise life choices. A father's presence, encouragement, and example can shape a child for a lifetime.

As a ministry focused on discipleship, we have seen the impact of godly men who faithfully teach God's Word, lead their families, and invest in others. Many of the leaders we train today are becoming that kind of father and mentor in their homes, churches, and communities.

Thank you to the fathers who pray, teach, serve, sacrifice, and point their families toward Christ.

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." — 1 Corinthians 16:13

Happy Father's Day from all of us at Cultivating Discipleship Ministries.

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✈️ **Please Pray for Toby's Trip to Honduras and the IDES Project Review Visit**

Today Toby is traveling to Honduras, where he will be joined by John Chesnut, a project manager with IDES, for a review of the projects completed following Tropical Storm Sara.

One of the goals of this visit is to show firsthand how God used your prayers and support to impact communities throughout the Merendón Mountains after 44 mountain communities were affected by the storm and many were cut off from supplies for more than a month.

During the visit, Toby will be showing John:

🏠 The four homes that were built for families in need

🍚 Communities that received food assistance

⛪ The church restoration project, including a completely new electrical system, ceiling repairs, windows, bathrooms, and other improvements

🩺 The clinic where the three-day medical clinic served approximately 500 patients

🌱 The agricultural recovery efforts that helped families return to their fields and provide for their families again

🏡 Families currently in need of housing assistance and potential future building projects

📚 The leadership training ministry, including the delivery of 264 ministry books that will help establish a growing library for pastors and future church leaders

Toby will also spend time with Rony, local church leaders, and men currently being trained for ministry as they continue expanding discipleship efforts, strengthening churches, and planting new congregations throughout the mountains.

Please pray for:

🙏 Safe travel throughout Honduras

🙏 Wisdom and discernment during the visit

🙏 Encouraging conversations and meaningful fellowship

🙏 Opportunities to demonstrate the impact of these projects

🙏 Future ministry opportunities

🙏 The pastors, church leaders, and ministry trainees serving throughout the mountains

Thank you for your prayers and partnership. We look forward to sharing updates and photos from the trip in the days ahead!

🌷 **¡Feliz Día de las Madres!** 🌷

Hoy celebramos a las increíbles madres que entregan sus vidas con amor, sacrificio, oración y servicio a sus familias.

La influencia de una madre va mucho más allá de lo que ella puede ver. A través de incontables actos de bondad, ánimo, enseñanza y fidelidad, las madres ayudan a formar la próxima generación y dejan un legado duradero en la vida de sus hijos.

La Biblia nos recuerda:

*"Se levantan sus hijos y la llaman bienaventurada..."* — Proverbios 31:28

Hoy damos gracias a Dios por las madres, abuelas y todas las mujeres que han cuidado, animado e invertido en otros con un corazón maternal.

Que Dios les bendiga abundantemente por su amor, sus sacrificios, sus oraciones y su fiel ejemplo.

De parte de nuestra familia y de Cultivando Discípulos Ministerios, les deseamos a todas las madres de la República Dominicana un muy feliz y bendecido Día de las Madres.

💐 ¡Feliz Día de las Madres! 💐

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One of the places Toby holds Bible classes each week is at a small neighborhood colmado (mom-and-pop store).

What started as a Bible study with a few men has grown into something unexpected. More and more neighborhood children and street kids have begun gathering to listen, learn, ask questions, and hear about Jesus.

Every week they come eager to participate, and it has become clear that God is opening a door to reach young lives that might not otherwise hear the Gospel.

Toby and Dario are praying and discussing how they can expand this outreach and reach even more children with the love and truth of Christ.

Would you join us in praying?

🙏 Pray that these children will come to know Jesus as their Savior.
🙏 Pray for wisdom as we seek to disciple them.
🙏 Pray for opportunities to involve even more children and families.
🙏 Pray for Toby and Dario as they invest in these young lives.

Sometimes the greatest opportunities begin in the simplest places. Thank you for praying with us as God continues to open doors in the Dominican Republic.

Toby met yesterday with an agriculturist and was able to provide 500 packets of seeds that will now impact schools, prisons, and families across 3 states.

The agriculturist will first plant and grow the seeds until the plants are strong enough to be successfully replanted in schools, prisons, and communities. This greatly increases the chances that the crops will survive and produce food for families struggling with rising food costs.

This project is about far more than seeds. It is also creating opportunities to teach young men practical agricultural skills so they can learn how to farm, work, and better provide for their families in the future.

These seeds are bringing food, education, opportunity, and hope to so many lives.

We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Hope Seeds and the difference they are making throughout the Dominican Republic. 🌱

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today we celebrate the incredible women who pour out love, prayers, strength, wisdom, comfort, and sacrifice into the lives of others every single day. A mother’s love reflects the heart of God in such a beautiful way — steady, compassionate, forgiving, and faithful.

To every mom, grandmother, spiritual mother, foster mom, and woman who has nurtured others along the way… thank you. Your quiet prayers, sleepless nights, encouraging words, and faithful love matter more than you know.

For some, today is full of joy and celebration. For others, it may carry grief, memories, distance, or longing. No matter what this day holds for you, may you feel the nearness of the Lord and His great love surrounding you.

“Her children arise and call her blessed…” — Proverbs 31:28

Praying today is filled with peace, gratitude, precious memories, and the reminder that the seeds of love and faith you have planted are never wasted.

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You know that person… the one you think would *never* be baptized?

Anabel’s brother Antonio was one of those people.

When Anabel messaged me to tell me, I honestly didn’t believe it at first. She has several brothers, so I had to call her and ask…

“Wait… WHICH Antonio??”

Because we know more than one 😄

But she said, “No… *that* Antonio.”

The one we never thought we would see make this decision.

When I told Toby, he didn’t believe it either.

He said, “I need to see the video.”

And when he watched it… he just shook his head in disbelief and joy.

Only God can do this.

Please join us in praying for Antonio as he begins this new life in Christ.