Author: stmbaja

Love Story at Siloé: More Than a Video Project

LA MISION, Baja, Mexico — For the video production ministry, Love Story Foundation, a recent nine-day film project at Siloé Wellness Center was not just about telling the story behind the multiple-services health facility, but the growing relationships inside and outside the crew.

“Through the leadership of Love Story’s Alexander Mora and the grace of God, our film team was able to experience God moving not only among the amazing people serving the community at Siloé, and not only among the beautiful people of La Mision being cared for, but ourselves as well,” said Alex Murashko, an LSF Siloé Project crew member.

“Mora’s vision of film shoots becoming most importantly about our relationship with Jesus Christ — “the greatest love story ever told” — and loving others, became reality during this trip. This was Love Story’s first official video project and missions trip since Mora and his wife began their journey into full time ministry at the beginning of 2020,” said Murashko, who is the founder of Media on Mission.

“We are so grateful and honored to have been able to serve everyone at Siloé Ministries. Thank you to Brendan Mayer and his wife, Sarah Mayer, and their whole team for their hospitality. Their testimony was so encouraging to me and to the Love Story team,” LSF stated on Facebook. “I want to say thank you to the team God sent with us on this project: Alex Murashko, Joe L. Sandoval, John Beeson and Alexander Mora. Thank you for your giving hearts and attitudes of gratitude. Without your help we would not have been able to do this. God showed up in so many ways and I am full of joy and gratitude for what God is doing and how He used this trip to grow us in our faith.”

LA MISION BAJA FIRES: MEDIA AND MINISTRIES COME TOGETHER TO BACK THE HEROES

DIFFERENT MAN

Joe L. Sandoval, who is also a LSF Siloé Project crew member, was encouraged by his son, James, who has participated in previous LSF projects, to go and serve on the trip to La Mision.

“People tell me I’m a different man. I’ve told others about my experience and many are interested in knowing how they can help Love Story” and the ministries in Baja, such as Siloé Wellness Center and Door of Faith Orphanage (also in La Mision), Sandoval recently told Murashko after being back in Los Angeles.

MORE THAN A HEALTH CLINIC

The Siloé Wellness Center is located in the coastal, agricultural community of La Mision, Baja California.

As stated on Siloé’s website:

“Construction of the 8,000 sq. ft. facility was completed in less than three years thanks to our amazing project partner, Strong Tower Ministries, a skilled local construction crew, generous donors, and more than 1,000 volunteers.

More than a health clinic, the Wellness Center provides our ministry with a permanent presence in the community we have served since 2008, and brings the Siloé vision for “whole person” care to a new level. The hard-working families of La Mision and the greater Baja Norte region now have a destination for excellent and affordable medical and dental care–and a beautiful setting to learn, grow, and experience the life-changing love of Christ.”

Love Story Foundation recently posted a photo essay on the Siloé Project on its Facebook page (see here).

“Love Story Foundation epitomizes the type of media and individuals Media on Mission wants to highlight — those wanting to use their personal talents and storytelling gifts for the glory of God,” Murashko said.

For more information, click on Love Story Foundation and Siloé Wellness Center.

For more information on ministry and mission projects, click on Strong Tower Ministries, Inc.

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Interactive Event: Learn Simple Steps to Loving Our Neighbors

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Two local organizations are hosting an interactive family event, Love in Action, to demonstrate how simple loving our “neighbors” to the south in Mexico can be through practical ways on Saturday, Feb. 22.

MEDIA RELEASE

At the open house to be held in San Clemente, leaders from Strong Tower Ministries and Kids Around the World plan to teach those attending how to show love in “lots of big and small ways” by participating in actions such as food packing, woodworking, and playground installations. 

They will also discuss various serving trips to Baja to interact with families, orphanages, migrant communities, and other mission-minded destinations.

“The event is set up to inform and engage anyone wanting to find out ways to help and show love to our neighbors living as close as Mexico or other parts of the world,” said Strong Tower Ministries operations director Jim Kirk-Johnson. “Our organization and Kids Around the World realize the benefit we get as individuals by serving others and seek to create meaningful opportunities for us to make a difference.”

Rich Swisher, from Kids Around the World, said attendees can learn about ongoing service roles, and new and existing project opportunities. “There are wide ranging and important roles for individuals, families and groups of all types and they can accommodate any and all schedules,” Swisher said.

Love in Action will be held at 1046 Calle Recodo, Ste. F, San Clemente. The event is free and includes lunch. You can RSVP through the registration link below for either the morning or afternoon hourly sessions. Each session will give you an interactive, personally guided tour experience that’s perfect for the whole family.

REGISTRATION

Strong Tower Ministries

Over the last 14 years, Strong Tower Ministries, Inc. has reached over 4,000 destitute children annually through local orphanages, schools and community outreach programs that focus on evangelism, food distribution, and medical care.

Over 500,000 pounds of food has been distributed annually. Over 8,000 volunteer hours each year have been directed toward completed construction projects including a modern medical & dental community clinic (Siloe), a state-of-the-art nursery (DOFO), a ministry and community center (Puerta Hermosa), a deaf ministry home, school and training center (RSM), and family home builds.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON STRONG TOWER MINISTRIES

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON KIDS AROUND THE WORLD 

Press and Media Contact: Alex Murashko, Media on Mission for STM Baja Press, alex@mediaonmission.org, 949.547.0907.

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‘Faithful Through The Fire’ Uncovers Hope Amid Charred Ministry Ground (Video)

LA MISION, Baja, Mexico — The mini-doc video, Faithful Through The Fire, chronicles a recent firestorm and its aftermath. Love Story Foundation produced the incredible footage featuring missionary leaders and others talking about how they found hope amid the charred valley and hills of the northern Baja community of La Mision. 

The backdrop for the dramatic video is filmed primarily at Casa de Mana, which is property designated to become a discipling and training center. On October 24, 2019, a lodge and partially constructed warehouse burned to the ground. Strong Tower Ministries, who has been building the campus after years of helping others build structures in Baja, hosted a prayer and worship event on its property with re-construction already taking place on November 9.

The fire struck grave concern for people living and working in La Mision as they watched it grow. They knew that the fire was fueled by potentially miles of dry brush and fanned by a severe Santa Ana Winds condition.

As the result of what was discovered in the interviews for the video, LSF founder and director, Alexander Mora, told STM Baja Press that a common theme was found: The fire was a metaphor for the trials we inevitably face in life, and God counters our fears by giving us hope.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

Near the end of the “celebration” event at Casa de Mana, Carey Slusser, shared his testimony for the video, which includes talking about a dark time for him after his mother’s death and the transformative moment he experienced.

“It’s hard for me because 13 years ago my mother commited suicide and at that point I ran from God. I went to war against the world,” Slusser said. “A couple of months ago, I woke up and said ‘I can’t fight anymore, I need help.’ I fell to my knees.”

After hearing from the various people who spoke at the event and who shared what the fire and the Casa de Mana property meant to them, he said their stories moved him “because of my relationship with what happened to me personally.” Slusser added, “I feel loved like a family.” 

Mora said that Carey, as well as the others in the video, are reflecting on God’s love.

“The common theme is that God is in control, God is sovereign, and we don’t have to worry because even though the fire was devastating, that even though it hurt at the moment, we don’t have to worry,” Mora said. “It’s like everybody knew God’s character. By knowing God’s character they had hope because we know we have a loving God.

“What Carey was talking about was that we are all going through ‘fires’ and God just wants his people to know that he is faithful through these fires, whatever they may actually be (emotional, psychological, or physical). In the end, if we trust in the Holy Spirit then we’re okay because the Holy Spirit doesn’t usually get it wrong,” he said (while joking at the end of his remarks).

The experience that Carey had of feeling loved by “family” is one that the Strong Tower Ministries’ leaders have already witnessed from many other people at previous gatherings at Casa de Mana while the lodge still stood. It’s an experience they hope to help facilitate even now, while building continues.

“Casa de Mana is a place where we equip the saints, and that means anything and everything,” said project director Adam Stieve. The aim is for people of younger and older generations to be “built up and restored.”

“We invite people to come here and get closer to God,” he said.

“Casa quickly began to change lives,” Mora is heard saying in the video. “It became a place of hope, change, restoration, deliverance, … bringing people closer to Christ … and just like that—a firestorm (brought about the same change).”

“This story is not about a burned down building. It’s about you, us, [and] me, and how God is reminding you right now that he loves you … he is faithful through the fire.” 

Love Story Foundation’s ‘Faithful Through The Fire’ is available for viewing on the Love Story Foundation’s YouTube channel. 

Above article may be republished with proper attribution and link back where it was originally published at STM Baja Press. STM Baja Press is a publication of Media on Mission and available through Strong Tower Ministries, Inc. (https://stmbaja.org/)

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Christmas Comes to Migrant Families in Santa Rosa, BC, Mexico

Strong Tower Ministries is hosting its annual Christmas outreach event to Baja, Mexico for the organization’s 14th year-in-a-row. This year’s one-day trip will depart from locations in Orange County and San Diego and arrive in Santa Rosa, a farming community of migrant workers just east of Rosarito.

MEDIA RELEASE

The outreach, planned for Dec. 7 (2019), includes partnering with the community’s pastor to bring Christmas to more than 70 families living in the valley. Clothing, gifts, and groceries will be given to the families as well as Christmas crafts and games for the kids .

Over the last 14 years, Strong Tower Ministries has reached over 4,000 destitute children annually through local orphanages, schools and community outreach programs that focus on evangelism, food distribution, and medical care. Over 500,000 pounds of food has been distributed annually.

Over 8,000 volunteer hours each year have been directed toward completed construction projects including a modern medical & dental community clinic (Siloe), a state-of-the-art nursery (DOFO), a ministry and community center (Puerta Hermosa), a deaf ministry home, school and training center (RSM), and family home builds.

Press and Media Contact: Alex Murashko, Media on Mission for STM Baja Press, alex@mediaonmission.org, 949.547.0907.

PHOTO: Media on Mission

FOR MORE INFO: STMBAJA.ORG

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Building of Missions Training Campus in Baja Officially Restarts After Fire

Prayer event, new warehouse construction frame difficult weekend after La Mision fire destroys buildings

LA MISION, Baja, Mexico — Strong Tower Ministries officially began to rebuild a proposed discipling and training center on the weekend leading into Veterans Day (11/11/19), just two weeks after a firestorm destroyed an existing lodge and partially constructed warehouse on the property.

MEDIA RELEASE

On Saturday, in addition to a massive effort to continue building the warehouse/distribution facility, about 100 people participated in a prayer and worship event dedicated to the La Mision area where more than two dozen homes were destroyed.

“The buildings may have burned, but ministry and church remain strong,” said STM board president DJ Schuetze, who also runs a local orphanage, Door of Faith. “Thanks to so many who turned out for the celebration.”

The center was always about people and not buildings, said Adam Stieve, who is the Casa de Mana campus director.

Casa de Mana is a place for equipping the saints. “We are primarily a discipling and training center that focuses on relationships,” he states. “We are involved in teaching, recovering, reenergizing, learning, serving, caring for those in need, praying, sharing and most importantly loving.”

Stieve hosted and led a group from Washington during the weekend that did short-term missionary work in Baja as well as attended the prayer event.

“The Bridge Christian Fellowship from Oak Harbor, Washington, provided much needed help and support this last weekend,” he said. “In addition to serving food to a special local family, this group performed setup, tear down, and did some dirty cleaning at the burned out Casa de Mana site. This allowed for a very special event where we paused our lives to simply worship Christ. Thank you for your willing hearts. Thank you for the intimate fellowship. Thank you for your continued partnership.”

Casa de Mana is the Strong Tower Ministries, Inc., (STM) campus – designed to provide the following services: a ministry base of operations, short-term group accommodations, long-term missionary housing, internship program, a no cost place of rest for those serving in full-time ministry, and a gathering place for: teaching, counseling, discipleship, and evangelism. 

Press and Media Contact: Alex Murashko, Media on Mission for STM Baja Press, alex@mediaonmission.org, 949.547.0907.

PHOTOS: Love Story Foundation

FOR MORE INFO: STMBAJA.ORG

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VIDEO: ‘He was with us in the fire;’ La Misión Baja Fires Prayer and Praise Event

VIDEO: “He was with us in the fire”

“We see this fire as only a temporary setback. Our mission of ‘Backing the Heroes’ continues,” Strong Tower Ministries stated in a letter from its board members.

“You start thinking about all the different ways that God clearly protected our community, protected our family,” Brendan Mayer, founder of Siloe Ministries, said. “The winds shifted when they needed to and that’s not by accident.”

“We stood with people who watched houses burn, but God had his hand on them,” said DJ Schuetze, who is a founder of Door of Faith Orphanage. “We felt that presence of God among the flames. He was with us in the fire.”

Transportation to Casa de Mana

On Saturday, November 9th Strong Tower will be hosting a La Mision community day of prayer and rebirth celebration following the fires of last week. We will also have a Nov 8-9th framing trip for those “builder types” that want to rebuild our campus warehouse the fire took. For those from the US wanting round trip transportation for the Saturday event you can register @ www.stmbaja.org or contact Jim @ 949 212-8071.

FOR MORE INFO: STMBAJA.ORG

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Welcome to STM Baja Press

Welcome to STM Baja Press, the place you can go to for the most current Strong Tower Ministries news and announcements!

Here you’ll find stories and story leads you’ll want to share with others to let them know what’s happening inside Baja, Mexico, as related to STM’s large network of ministries, churches, missions teams, and missionaries.

Exciting things are happening and we’re grateful for your interest!

To God be the glory!

On Thursday evening (10/24/19), a firestorm came roaring down the La Mision valley. The fires’ wrath included the loss of two structures on STM’s Casa de Mana campus. (PHOTO: File)

STM’s Response to Fire: Our Mission of ‘Backing the Heroes’ Continues

We see this fire as only a temporary setback. Our mission of “Backing the Heroes” continues. We will be regrouping over the next few weeks as we plan to continue building out the Manna House Campus. We look forward to seeing how God will use the events of this last week and all of our future efforts for His glory.

READ STRONG TOWER MINISTRIES’ FULL LETTER

FOR MORE INFO: STMBAJA.ORG

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