Personal Testimony: Pedro Baltazar Muoz
(born in flesh: March 7th, 1966, but born in Christ by His Grace: March 7th, 1981) 1Timothy 1:12,13
The story of my life starts and runs with 2 wonderful Christian Parents (and from my mother side, a grandfather who was a Baptist Pastor that started missions all over Guanajuato state) that God set up for my successful future and 4 very beautiful brothers that helped me to realize what synergy is all about. I was born in Salvatierra city, state of Guanajuato and our parents moved from this south Mexico area to border (Rio Bravo city beside Reynosa city) when I was little (about 3 years old). The very 1st time my mother set up the TV for us, IT WAS ONLY LOCAL USA ENGLISH CHANNELS TO BE SEEN!!. Something to cry about or one of Gods Almighty Miracles??. Indeed through the words of my mother the hand of God working, I quote my mothers version: I had then 2 choices: Get a bigger antenna so my kids could see their spanish channels or have them learn a new language very needed on the border area. I picked the 2nd one. Now you know the rest of the story. Time flew away and although I was born and raise in a Christian environment, it was only until March 7th 1981 (my 15th birthday) when the Lord finally heard my voice asking for forgiveness and salvation. The Pastor that God used to present the Gospel to my brothers and I, immediately invited me to have with him, Hermeneutics course, Greek course, Homiletics course, until I told him straight in the eyes with a little of youre driven me crazyIm not and not going to be a Pastor, so youre losing your time brother. I cannot forget those words and suddenly began to feel the call from the Lord to be a Pastor at that point of my youth years. But, when I reached 18, it was time to start my University stage and had to choose between the call from God to be a Pastor or to be a successful Industrial Engineer. I chose to go for the University. Went back to Celaya city, state of Guanajuato to study my Engineering career and came back to Rio Bravo after 5 years to develop myself in the Reynosa factories. Suddenly I was climbing the ladder of success and became a Project Manager in charge of bringing and installing German, Japanese & USA Automotive Factories from USA into Mexico. God set up a beautiful missionary to come with her father, a Baptist Pastor, to be the Pastor of our church at this stage of my life. We became close friends and I still remember when it came the time to ask her to be my girlfriend; she told me years later, that she was afraid of saying to me yes. She had always asked God for her future husband and had a very strong desire and feeling that she was going to marry a Pastor. Back then she hesitated, because I wasnt and not even thinking about becoming one, but finally said yes (Praise the Lord!) and now you know the rest of the story. We got married June 29th, 1991 and slowly and slowly I was out of communication and relationship with God as the years went by and my whole life, suddenly, was a mess. I was very successful, traveled throughout the whole USA, had all that Ive dreamed of, money, cars, etc.& even I was about to set up my own Automotive supplier business. At this point I looked back, God wasnt in the picture, neither my wife and 3 lovely kids that He had given to me. But, the picture really had a clear broken relationship with God and with my wife, 2 times about to get divorced, but God really had mercy of me. Suddenly I started again to join my wife (shed remained faithful all the way) in some Church activities. People always by mistake confused me, calling me: Hi Pastor Pedro!, over and over again and my same answer: Sorry, Im not a Pastor!, over and over again. Got so confused with this nonsense that 1 time, I was in the top executive meeting room where you could see all the factory inside and outsidea thought crossed my mind..What would have happened if, instead of you being a Project Mgr., you wouldve been a Pastor??...All of the population of the factories that youve started would be Christians and churches instead of factories, think about that. I told God very foolishly: If youre calling me to be a Pastor, YOURE NOT GOING TO GIVE ME WHAT I GOT NOW. Foolish of me!!. Came back home that night and felt very depressed. I told my wife what went on and WITH A BIG SMILE SHE TOLD ME: GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PASTOR, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!. The following days were the same all over, each and every day either somebody or something had the same message: GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PASTOR. I started to read the word of God again and again and again. I told my wife, honey, this is it, Im thinking to decide to quit my job and you know the consequences of that, no more dresses, traveling, etc. MY WIFE WITH JOY ALL OVER HER FACE TOLD ME WITH NO HESITATION AT ALLLETS GO FOR IT!!. I Quit the following day (2001), became the Pastor of 2nd Baptist in Reynosa for 5 years (God gave us victory: Organized 2 Churches, Planted a new one, set up the Family Rehabilitation Program in the church, had the chance to be President of the Baptist Alianze for 3 years, took congregation from initial 40 attendance to 260, etc. OUR ALMIGHTY GOD DID IT!!) and now serving Him in this by faith ministry Called Family Rehabilitation Center & Church Planting and Development Ministry. Get this:
MY THRILL WAS, EVERYTIME THAT WE HELD A FACTORY GRAND OPENING, TO SEE AND FEEL THE CHEER OF BMW OR MERCEDES BENZ EXECUTIVES, LOCAL MAYOR, GOVERNOR, PEOPLE, NEWSPAPERS, ETC. BUT NOW, EVERYTHING IS MORE THAN A THRILL AND WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE MY FEELING, PEOPLE GETTING SAVED ETERNALLY BY GOD AND THE MIRACLE OF SEEING THEM GET TRANSFORMED INTO NEW CREATURES BY HIM..JUST BLOWS MY MIND OUT OF THIS EARTH!!!.
YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE,
A NEW CREATURE HAS ITS PRIORITY
SET ON ETERNAL THINGS
Colossinas 3:1-4
A Prayer for a Courageous Soul - Your Daily Prayer - April 26
We have been given a remarkable gift through God and His redemption story. Not only have we received eternal life with our Creator, but we have received courage in Christ that will change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us forever.