Church Planting
Christ-Centered After School Programs
Creative Discipleship
Short Term Mission Teams
From Christmas parties to encouraging the kids in their school work, this ministry is designed to cause a positive change in the lives of these precious people.
3 years ago began a journey full of joys, trials, sufferings and the evidence of the faithfulness of our Lord in the center of Jaco, Costa Rica.
Fulfilling the Great Commission one willing, joyful, and hardworking group of saints at a time.
What do you get when you combine a group of at-risk young men and power tools? Click "learn more" to find out!
Two is better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift us his fellow; but woe to him that is alone if he falls, for he has not another to lift him up. Ecclesiasties 4:9-10.
We'd like to introduce you to our team!
Browse the links to learn more about us.
David and Pamela Knapp
In 1993 I traveled to Costa Rica for the first time because of my love for the sport of surfing. Surfing was my life. I had a bumper sticker on my van that read, Surfing is life: the rest are details. I made surfboards and repaired surfboards for several surf shops in North East Florida. When I was fourteen I was mentioned in Surfing Magazine as one of the worlds top one hundred up and coming surfboard manufacturers. I thought I had arrived. I finished high school while traveling often to Costa Rica, and my life was consumed with surfing and partying. During this time I had traveled to Chile several times to visit Pamela who I met in Florida while she was a foreign exchange student.
Pamela was born in the town of Talca, Chile where most of her family lives; however, she was raised in the city of Concepción. She graduated from high school in both the United States and Chile. Pamela played volleyball competitively for the city of Concepción, and studied Civil Engineering and Tourism until we married in 1997.
Just a short time after we married we learned the party lifestyle and marriage could not survive together. We began to attend a Hispanic church in Jacksonville Florida to experience the Hispanic culture and language we both enjoyed. We had no idea what God had planned for our lives. The teaching from Gods word confronted our lifestyle and we decided not to return, but we loved the people at the church so much we returned often. Finally we surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus in desperate need of His forgiveness and restoration. For two years the Hispanic Church discipled us and nurtured us in the faith through that crucial time of our lives.
In 2000 we were led to be a part of a church plant in the inner-city of Gainesville. Soon the Lord made it clear we should commit to minister there to the children and the youth. It was there where the Lord called us to prepare for full time ministry. God led us to attend Trinity Bible College of Florida in January of 2002, nine months later our son Josiah was born.
During our studies God has allowed us to serve in many places including Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama and Nicaragua. We graduated in December 2005 with Bachelor Degrees in Biblical Studies with majors in Missions and Leadership and Ministry.
We are grateful for God's mercy in our lives and thankful for His ability to use all things
to work together for His glory. God has made it very clear to us that He has called
us back to Costa Rica, specifically to the Jacó area. We know how hopeless and
lonely the youth of this area feel because in the past we were one of them.
Now, we know the only One who offers what they so desperately need. And
we are excited about the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus
Christ with them.
Fernando and Jessica Piñero
Fernando was born and raised in Banfield, a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up playing sports and passing time with friends and family, working and travelling as time allowed. At age 24 he decided to move to Costa Rica to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and live in 'paradise'. After 2 years of moving around, partying and 'living the dream' God began to make him aware of his necessity for a Savior greater than himself. By taking it one day at a time, he began the process of going through the 12 steps and became VERY aware of this need. He began attending Iglesia Radical since its opening and has continued to grow in his faith.
I, Jessica, was born in the US and grew up in Washington state. At age 12 I met Jesus and began to embark on the best journey His Life has to offer. Just before graduating high school I started working in a children's ministry where I would remain for 3 1/2 years until led to move to Jaco, Costa Rica in October 2007. Within 3 months I met Fernando, the most wonderful man on earth and could see God's will for me to work along side David and Pamela Knapp.
The months that followed took the two of us on an awesome adventure discovering our Creator, His love and will for us and how we come into that picture. Fernando and I married November 1, 2008. Currently, Fernando is the director of Puentes de Esperanza (Bridges of Hope), a project that offers discipleship, Bible instruction, and on-the-job training to young men who come from difficult living situations. They work with teak wood, constructing rocking chairs, crosses, decorative surfboards, keychains and picture frames. I do the administrative matters related to Radical Life Ministries. Together we lead the youth group at Iglesia Radical. In our free time Fernando enjoys surfing, I enjoy reading and taking photos and we both enjoy traveling.
We love our Creator. We live in the knowledge that our best is the very least He deserves.
Bleu Oleson
Rooted and Established in Love
Wow! How cool is our God?! He's brought me through sickness, selfishness and self righteousness all to be used for His glory. Who I am now is a result of a jumbled mess of seemingly random events that have captured me into the arms of Christ, allowing me a glimpse of how wide and long and high and deep His love is for us.
Never has it been more obvious to me that each of us is designed to fulfill a specific purpose in the Body of Christ. Characteristics that put mainstream society and me at odds make me a perfect fit for serving the kids in the River.
I am the envy of Radical Life Ministries.
My perfect day? Praise God, sing, pray and have a part in helping kids grow in knowledge and truth. My job? Guide a rancho full of mini-me's (I've been accused of taking my time growing up) through their studies and engage them in fun activities that strengthen their walk in Christ while building their character and self esteem. Cool, huh?
Through our Christ-centered after school program we are raising up a new generation of dynamic followers of Christ who through His love and power will transform Jacó into a lighthouse, reflecting His love throughout Costa Rica and the world.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 niv
We pray that you discover God's goodness in our lives, are encouraged in your walk with Him and learn how you can participate in His work in this vibrant community.
Our Mission
1.Love God
2.Love our neighbors
3.Be a disciple of Jesus Christ
4.Make disciples of Jesus Christ
Our History
In June 2006 the Lord in His mercy allowed Pastor David Knapp and his family to begin La Iglesia Radical. We meet in a local commercial building in the center of downtown Jacó Beach. We are a lively, vibrant community of people learning and growing together.
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The Fruit
We have seen the Creator's faithfulness over these children from day one. By His perfect provision, we have been able to buy school supplies, uniforms, Christmas gifts, vitamins, school books and most other needs the children have. In 2006 about 10% of the children were going to school. Now 95% are attending and doing well! Praise God!
The Beginnings
In 2006 God gave us a vision to reach a community of people who live on the sides of a river bed in Jacó. Over the past 4 years, the Lord has called mission teams and other volunteers to minister to the lives of the children who live there with hope and His Love.
By God's grace we have built a place to meet and learn more about the Lord called the Rancho Biblico (Bible Ranch), which the kids themselves named. It is a place of joy and refuge from harsh realities some have no choice but to face.
1.Taking the children into the program
2.Tending to the childrens needs.
3.Training the children in biblical truth.
4.Tutoring the children in their school work.
Mission Statement
The Rancho Biblico After School Program is dedicated to providing a safe and loving environment which encourages children to love God, learn about His world and live well through taking the children into the program, tending to their needs, training them in biblical truth and tutoring them in their school studies.
Radical Life Ministries hosts around 10 teams every year. They come from all over the US and work very hard during their time in Jaco. They always succeed in making an impact on this community. For all who have come and helped: THANK YOU and may God bless you!
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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in coming to join the Lord's work in Jaco, please contact David and Pamela Knapp at david_radicallifeministries.com.
Bridge: A structure built over water or land to pass from one side to the other.
Hope: The confident and joyful anticipation of something good you desire.
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The Mission
Bridges of Hope* is dedicated to motivating individuals to reach their God-given potential and improving their current quality of life and futures by providing resources and teaching life skills to those who qualify through biblical instruction, employment opportunities and job training.
The Products
These products are made in Jacó. Each piece of wood is handcrafted from locally harvested teak. Every item is rubbed with a natural oil finish that brings out the woods organic beauty.
Our Hope
With this purchase you receive a high quality product for a reasonable price that will provide you with years of enjoyment and give others the priceless gift of hope that will last forever.
*Bridges of Hope is a for-profit organization and therefore money spent on these products is not considered tax-deductable.
Thank you for standing with us through all the battles and challenges we face while making disciples of Jesus Christ on the mission field. We are grateful for your prayers, encouragement, giving and commitment to share Christ with the lost. As co-laborors we rejoice together in Gods faithfulness and for the many victories we have experienced. Listed in this insert are the most urgent material needs at this time. We pray God will show you how you can help.
Through your generous giving in 2003 we bought a 1988 ISUZU Trooper to use as a ministry vehicle, and we are grateful for its service to the Lord's work. However, we are in need of a more reliable vehicle that will travel longer distances and transport more people. We plan to purchase a 2008 Hyundai 12 passenger van (diesel). The people we have talked to who own this model van are satisfied with its performance; diesel is more economical and parts are affordable and readily available.
This van would be used to transport two Radical Life Ministries team members (Fernando and Jessica Pinero) to their seminary classes in San Jose once a week for the next four years. This vehicle would also serve in the church planting efforts of Iglesia Radical and assist short term mission teams. Because there is a 90% tax on all vehciles the total cost of a pre-owned (2008 model) Hyundai van is $20,000.
Please consider donating towards the purchase of this van.
Iglesia Radical began with a vision to establish a center of life transformation through the teaching of God's Word, worship, spiritual growth and ministry. June 2006 the first service was held in a commercial building located in downtown Jaco Beach. The rented space can accomodate 70 people. By God's grace we have seen this vision becoming a reality. We are developing responsable and organized local leadership dedicated to carrying out the vision of the church.
In 2008 we expanded our Childrens Ministry and rented an additional space. Currently we pay $2000 per month rent. Our goal is to purchase land in Jaco to build a facility that would better service the growing congregation and allow the church more money to fund ministry rather than pay rent.
The land the church plans to purchase measures 3,800 square meters and costs $190,000 (thats $50 per square meter or 10.76 feet). Through local offerings over the past four years the congregation has raised over $25,000 for land. Therefore, we need to raise an additional $165,000 to purchase the land.
Would you please pray and consider how you can help Radical Life Ministries establish this church through the purchase of this land?
The faithful praying, encouragement and regular giving of ministry partners are essencial to the effectiveness of Radical Life Ministries. Your partnership allows this ministry to give direct support to missionaries on the field, fund church planting, Bible and leadership training and childrens outreach.
Please consider giving a faithful gift each month.
Prayer Requests:
1. That God would give the Radical Life Ministry board wisdom and faith as we meet in March.
2. That God would guide us during our trip to the States to attend a missions conference in March.
3. That God would provide sufficient funds to keep our seminary students in school, for land for Iglesia Radical and for a ministry van.
Praise Reports:
1. Healing of our family after several days of sickness. Thank you to all who prayed, encouraged and helped.
2. Wisdom in some crucial ministry decisions during January.
3. God has called Gustavo and his wife Andrea to begin a ministry to the single young adults in the congregation.
Check in on how each area of the ministry is doing and the latest from
Radical Life Ministries.
May 2010
November 2010
February 2011
June 22, 2010
Welcome Lighthouse Student Ministry missions team!
June 12, 2010
We elebrated our 3 year anniversary at Iglesia Radical with a party at the beach.
09.08.09
Per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos.
Radical Life Ministries is a
non-profit mission organization dedicated to church-planting, Christ-centered after school programs and creative discipleship in the beach town of Jaco, Costa Rica. Click "Who We Are" to meet our team!
Don't think
A gardener can be a referral source to the rich?
Ala seconda svisa
Gambling in Los Porkos
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