Portrait of a disciple: Miguel Santiago

I got to know Seth in the slums outside of Lima, Peru.  That dry, desolate landscape was the backdrop of the beginning of our relationship  in the summer of 2002.  I was an independent kid from Omaha going on the “trip of a lifetime” – a month of church planting around Lima.  Seth was our leader. 

At that time GOD had already revealed to me the call HE had on my life to the Dominican Republic.  A call I had discouragedly attemped to fulfill on my own for the previous 3 years, failure after failure.  Arriving in Peru, I was excited to be on the field again, but my heart was broken for the dream I was beginning to give up on.  Pouring my life out in the DR seemed like a longing I would never be able to live out.

In addition to an extremely fruitful trip of local disciples being made and new churches established, our time in Peru had a life-changing impact of most of us participants as well.  I for one went through some deep spiritual cleansing.  Facing the shadows hidden in my heart, I was able to find freedom in areas the enemy had a foothold.  Chains were broken and the victory of CHRIST emerged in me.  I also left Peru with a friend who believed in GOD’s call on my life.  After getting to know my story and my heart for the Dominican, Seth committed to helping me get there.  It was the first time someone with the ability to shake things up was in my corner.  I felt empowered, spurred forth, and loved.  Needless to say, GOD had brought streams of living water out of those barren mountains.

Seth directed me to people and places that GOD used in discipling and training me for the work in the DR.  Having someone like him believe in me made all the difference.  While others saw me as a rambunctious, directionless youth, he  saw the impact I could have.  And he fought for that side of me to shine through.
 
Now my wonderful wife Kristina and I, along with baby Samantha, are living the dream.  We have been pouring ourselves into making disciples and planting churches throughout the Dominican Republic for the past four years.  And we wouldn’t trade it for the world.  Our lives are committed to the LORD’s Kingdom in the DR, and we hope our life work will lead the Dominican to become the sending nation of the western hemisphere.