"Taking Christ to the Extremes"
Church PlantingChrist-Centered After School ProgramsCreative Discipleship
Church Planting
Christ-Centered After School Programs
Creative Discipleship
LEARN MORE
Riverbed Ministry
Iglesia Radical
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.
Mission Teams
Bridges of Hope
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!
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!
Who We Are
Pray for
RLM
Donate Here!
Support Address:
Radical Life Ministries
PO Box 1248
Keystone Heights, FL 32656
USA
Field Address:
David and Pamela Knapp
Apartado Postal 119-4023
Jaco, Puntarenas
Costa Rica
Contact
Us
011.506.2643.1393
david_radicallifeministries.com
Who we are
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.
Fernando and Jessica Piñero
Bleu Oleson
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 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, Jessiaca, 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.
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.
What We Do
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.
AFTER SCHOOL
PROGRAM
IGLESIA RADICAL
RIVER MINISTRY
BRIDGES OF HOPE
MISSION TEAMS
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 Pastor David Knapp began 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.
I
G
L
E
S
A
R
D
C
V
M
N
T
Y
The Fruit
We have seen the Creator's faithfulness over these children ever since David and Pamela arrived. 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. When the Knapps first began to get to know this community about 10% of the children were going to school. Now 95% are attending and doing well! Praise God!
The Beginnings
In 2006 God gave the Knapps a vision to reach a community of people who live on the sides of a river bed in Jacó. Over the past 4 years, they, along with mission teams and other volunteers, have filled the lives of the children who live there with hope and God's Love.
They 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.
It is a special blessing to be a part of God's will in the place we affectionately call The River.
Rancho Biblico After School Program
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!
O
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.
B
F
H
P
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.
"Pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 niv
Prayer Requests:
1. Encouragement and joyful perseverance in the midst of challenges and trials.
2. Josiah Knapp's schooling and healing of skin issues for Lidia and Josue Knapp.
3. Wisdom and compassion when dealing with hurting people.
4. That God will continue to call leaders to be trained at the church, specifically a children's minister, a single's minister and a church secretary.
5. Adequate financial support required to reach the goals God has placed in our hearts for this ministry.
Praise Reports:
1. Improvement of Pamela's health.
2. The new roof on the Knapp's house.
3. Tremendous spiritual growth of the married couples at church.
4. Successful short-term missions teams.
5. 17 people baptized in February.
6. The upcoming third year anniversary of Radical Church.
Newsletters
Check in on how each area of the ministry is doing and the latest from
Radical Life Ministries.
May 2010
Coming Soon!
The Latest
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.
Press Releases
Don't think
A gardener can be a referral source to the rich?
Ala seconda svisa
Gambling in Los Porkos
©2009-2011 Eastern Consulting Ltd All human and alien rights protected.
EasternConsulting
