A New Beginning

We believe God is stirring a new movement of His Spirit that will provide a church in every community that transforms people, relationships and neighborhoods with the love and grace of God.

Wow! It has almost been one year since we came home from Mexico City. We are so grateful to God, our leadership and you for giving us this past year to rest, restore, recover, wait on the Lord and now hear from God as He is calling us forward, a new beginning.


After much prayer, counseling, meeting and processing with our leaders, pastors and good friends we have decided to transition off Campus Crusade for Christ staff and join full-time with another ministry called Global Service Associates (GSA). GSA’s purpose is to help launch us as leaders, care for us as followers of Jesus and encourage us to fulfill our mission and calling.


For 18 years (including our student years in college) we have seen God move, grow and challenge us and have enjoyed serving with Campus Crusade for Christ.


In this period of waiting and listening which has been so refreshing and also difficult we sense God leading us to help the local church impact our culture.


Imagine walking down your street and finding a church that felt more like an old friend than an old building. It is alive. It is real. The life of Jesus is bursting out beyond the church doors and into your community. The authenticity and love draws people to want to know this Jesus who changes lives.


A Christ-centered community that touches personally every home in Colorado, the U.S. and around the world.
Recently we began a home church and invited soccer friends and our neighbors. One neighbor, Rochelle shared her heart for her non-Christian coworkers. She wants to take them to church, yet they have no desire to go. After our time together sharing and praying she asked if this concept of home church was a safe place to invite her coworkers to hear about Jesus; a place where the life, love, and mercy of Jesus is felt.


We are burdened to follow God’s call on our hearts. We want to reach out to those hurting. Encourage those who have lost hope. Inspire Christians to follow Jesus and to be His hands and feet to our neighborhoods. Pray with us that God’s Spirit will move powerfully.
Categories: SimpleChurch, Family, Newsletters, Prayer, GSA, God

What does all this look like?

We are transitioning off staff with Campus Crusade for Christ to GSA at the end of the month. You might have questions about our financial support, how you can stop your auto-payments (if applicable) and where to send your new financial support in December. Within two weeks you’ll be receiving a detailed letter explaining our monthly and end of year financial needs and the process on how to continue to partner with us. We will still be fully funded and paid for through monthly individual financial support. Therefore we still need your partnership of prayer, financial support and encouragement as we continue on in full-time ministry.

GSA is a non-profit religious order with a 501-3c status and will be processing all our administration, support, and your tax-deductions.

We plan on calling you if you are a financial partner after Thanksgiving to share in more depth about our new ministry. We look forward to connecting with you.

We cherish your prayers in this time of transition. Our hearts are full of gratitude for your partnership. Thank you for continuing to labor with us in giving every person an opportunity to be part of a life breathing Christ-centered community.



Categories: Prayer, Newsletters, Family, Ministry, God, GSA

Please Pray

Please Pray:

• That God will be our guide in each step in the weeks to come. That we will trust Him and not our own efforts.
• That God will protect us from the evil one that will be on the attack in our transition.
• For our kids, time as a family and marital relationship.
• That we will be sensitive to God’s work in our lives.
• For our home church; its authenticity, love and mission to reach out to the lost.

Categories: God, Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Following the Person of Christ

“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.”
Isaiah 30:15 (Message)

These past months have been so refreshing and enlightening in our own personal walks with Jesus. We have been reminded of the simplicity and power of just following Jesus; it is easy and light. In this past year we have seen God’s mercy and grace surface our own issues of performance and self worship. God showed us that often we seek strength in ourselves and efforts. We’re finding that as God’s power is made evident in our weakness we are experiencing a whole new intimacy with Jesus. We are seeing strength come from depending only on Him and being faithful to Him only.

“God does not demand that I be successful. God demands that I be
faithful. When facing God, results are not important. Faithfulness
is what is important.” Mother Theresa

We have been praying daily that God will lead us into deeper intimacy in following Jesus. Around every corner of following Him we are seeing new fruit produced in our lives and a passion to help others follow Him in this manner.

We are also seeing God use our greatest weaknesses and failures to be our greatest strengths to others. As we have shared our story of marriage struggles, moving home from our initiative in Mexico City and the realness of Jesus’ love and forgiveness we have seen others open up to us and God.

Three weeks ago a CU football player, Pat Deveny, who Steve had the opportunity to lead to Christ 2 years ago called and wanted to talk. Over lunch Steve shared our story of this past year. Pat began to share openly his struggles and a deeper desire to know Jesus. It is amazing to see God at work when we allow Him. Steve hasn’t seen Pat in about 1 1/2 years yet the Spirit of God does the work that we can’t even imagine to do.

Thank you for walking with us in this journey of following Jesus. We know that there are many great stories yet to be told. We are grateful that you are partnering with us in seeing God’s power unfold. Thank you for loving us!

Categories: God, Newsletters, family, spirituality, Newsletters, Movements, Kingdom

Needs all around us

Living in Greeley, CO we have seen a whole different way of living. We are in a much smaller community than Mexico City (28 million) and Boulder/Denver (2 million) as Greeley has about 100,000 people, half of which are Hispanic. We have enjoyed the smell of cows, the open space and the lack of cars piling up in intersections.
Steve has been coaching the boys’ soccer and football teams and has been spending time at our local rec center getting to know the people of Greeley. They are no different from anyone else. They too have marriage problems. They also struggle in finding meaning in life. They too are busy hustling kids to and from school and practice.
Yet what we observed is that there are few ministries that are serving outside the walls of the Church. Boulder and Denver are such popular places to live that many ministries call these places home. Our hearts are broken for the families, youth and neighborhoods that are not targeted specifically to hear the message of Jesus.
We feel God is calling us to start some fresh ways of expressing the grace, mercy and love of God to our community. As we walk forward in this we ask that you pray for us, support us and challenge us to follow Christ more intimately. Join with us in praying that we can be a loving presence in Greeley.

Categories: God, Prayer, Newsletters, Family, Movements, Ministry, YouthSports, Community, Kingdom

Please Pray

Please Pray:
· That we will wholeheartedly seek out the person of Jesus.
· That we will slow down to rest and allow God to speak to us.
· That we will model, teach and encourage our kids in following Jesus.
· That as God grows us we will be sensitive to loving and caring for those around us.
· That we will seek God for every detail, step and plan for our future.
· That God will protect us from the evil one who wishes to destroy our lives and relationships.

Categories: Newsletters, God, Prayer, Family

Van Diest Happenings

We’re still committed to the work of bringing Spiritual Movements everywhere yet we are confident God is calling us to bring them to everyone, not just college students. We’re hearing the call of God on our hearts and minds to venture out and bring the Gospel to our community. Many of you have been asking, what is next? Where will you serve? The answers to these questions and more are the being revealed to us every day and we’re leaning on God to make those things very clear. You can keep us in your prayers so that we will not move unless God calls, nudges and moves mightily.

We know that Kingdom work is not a solitary, individual act. We need each other, you, the body of Christ to walk with us in this journey. That has been very clear these past 10 months as you have stayed with us, gave us tons of time to process, restore, rest, hear from the Lord and move ahead by faith. We are so grateful for you. This past year has been difficult and trying in our lives yet we know the greatest days of serving God together are before us because of what God has done in our hearts through brokenness and falling on our faces before Him. We also know that these letters every month can’t explain all that is happening in our lives and ministry so we encourage you to visit our website: (New Address):www.stevevandiest.com which tracks almost daily as to what God is teaching us. Thank you for your love and encouragement!

You are a blessing to us.

Categories: God, Family, Newsletters

Spiritual Movements Everywhere

For many years we have felt the call of God in our hearts and minds to launch, coach and train young, ordinary college students into starting and leading spiritual movements. We believe that is exactly what happened when Jesus sent off the 12 apostles after he ascended into heaven. They started a spiritual movement that was crazy for and crazy about Jesus Christ that penetrated every nook and cranny of the Middle East.

Today is no different. It was no different in Boulder, Mexico City and now in Greeley. God has taken us on an internal journey to grab our hearts, deal with our issues and restore our relationship. He cares more about what is going on inside of us than what we do for Him. We are so grateful for the grace God has given us these past 10 months in our lives and marriage.

God’s transformational work is so evident in our lives and in the community around us. We’ve seen God move in the soccer families we’ve met, the people at the gym, our neighbors and in our own hearts. We are trying to listen, walk by faith and respond to God’s Spirit.

Two weeks ago, Christine joined our good friend Emily on a local community college to see what God is already doing. They walked around the campus, sought God’s face and then just waited. It was powerful to see God use Jacob, our 4 month old, attracting others. While Christine was in the bathroom Jacob was doing the work of the Kingdom. People were being drawn to his cute smile. It is amazing when we allow God to work, He does. Christine and Emily met two women who were interested in starting a spiritual movement on their campus to reach other students. One was a mom of 2 kids who came to Christ 3 years ago and has a heart to reach others. The other gal was a young freshman. Amazing! God is already at work around us. He cares that we are experiencing Him and He will do the work of spiritual movements everywhere.

Categories: God, Family, Newsletters, Movements

Please Pray for us!

Please Pray:

*That God will use this time of serving in our regional office to bring about Glory to His name.

*That God will give Christine and the kids grace and mercy during homeschool.

*That God will use our time coaching football and soccer to bring about the love of God to those families participating.

*That God will continue to speak deep into our hearts and relationship. That we will do the work of seeking Him and resting in His Grace.

*That the work of launching 4,000 movements in Mexico City will continue under God’s grace.

Categories: Newsletters, Prayer

End of Summer.....Kingdom Projects

The end of summer always brings about a mixed bag of emotions. On one level we are excited as I'm (Steve) coaching Jonathan's tackle football and Benjamin's soccer team. The boys love this time running around and getting to know the other kids. Christine and I love this time because it gives us such a great time to interact with the parents of these kids. We try to host 2 parties during the season to honor the kids as well as love the parents. We believe this is such a great opportunity to share the love of God through healthy community.

On the other side of our emotional bag is sadness because summer is soon ending. This summer is one of our first summers in 13 years of ministry where our ministry was to fall in love with Jesus, each other and the kids. After years of serving in Boulder, Chile, Spain, and Mexico we have been long overdue for a time of rest and restoration. You have made that possible. Thanks!!

We will miss hanging out at the the neighborhood pool and time up in the mountains. Just two weeks ago we, with our neighbors and their 7 kids, did our first camping trip. I think all four kids did better than Christine and I but we're in for it again next summer. It was so fun seeing them all asleep in their sleeping bags in the tent, running around with dirt all over their faces and the cheeks pasted with marshmallow stickiness of smores. (More pictures at Family Camping)

Through this time of rest and reflection we have learned a ton about the heart of God and the Gospel. We are constantly reminded that the "Gospel is not for the able." We are resting in the complete work of Jesus and that is sparking a flame in our hearts to fall deeper in love with Him and His work around us. A common theme we are learning is solitude, silence, and waiting on Him.

In these times of reading, talking, praying, sharing, crying and laughing we are trusting God to use our day job to bless Him and others. We believe that out of our brokenness and humility God will use us to bless those around us and around the world.

This past week Steve started in his work in the Great Plains Regional office of Campus Crusade to give service to 'special projects.' Lately these special projects have been fleshed out to be leading the 1,500 students who come to Denver over January to bless the city, serve the city and bring “The Kingdom of God” to Denverites. We’re trusting God that our "Day of Faith" on Jan 5th will challenge students to Good Deeds and share Good News to those hurting, lost and lonely.

A good friend of mine, Ethan, has recently taken a national director job with Campus Crusade and is responsible for bringing the Kingdom of God to every student and campus in 6 major cities of the U.S. Because of our experience, although short, and leadership in Mexico City he has asked me help coach, advise and network these city leaders with proper resources.

Thank you for allowing us to grow, allowing God to perk new interests and horizons in our hearts and waiting with us for God to bring about His Kingdom. We look forward to the months and years serving together. Thank you for your generous, faithful and encouraging partnership.

Categories: Family,, Newsletters,, God,, Kingdom,, Prayers

Join us in Prayer

Please Pray:

• That God will speak clearly to us about our future.

That we will have the patience and understanding as we wait for the next chapter in our lives.

That we will continue to do the work of healing, restoration and renewal.

For the character and relational growth of our kids.

For us as we head to our Int’l Campus Crusade Conf. in Fort Collins, CO on July 15-25.

That we will be a testimony and witness to the couples and families around us that are struggling and ready to give up.

That we will trust God for all our needs, now and in the future.
Categories: Family, Prayer, Newsletters, God

Babies, Broken Arms, Bikinis, Bulls and the Kingdom

Since our last official letter in April so much has happened in our lives. Jacob James is now over 5 weeks old and over 10 lbs. He keeps the progression of dark, white, dark, white (Jonathan -> Benjamin -> Isa -> Jacob) skinned kids. He is doing so well and the older kids are just enamored with him. He has even been gracious enough to sleep in 5 hour chunks a few nights this week. Christine is doing amazingly with 4 kids and we so grateful for the neighborhood (over 30 kids) as they have been a blessing to us and the kids.
Two months ago we had never been to the hospital in Greeley but 6 days after checking out Jacob, I, Steve, checked back in with Benjamin. Right after church Ben fell off a ledge onto the steps and broke both bones in his left arm, the bone even popped out of the skin. Within 45 minutes and a speedy ride in my friends Audi, Benjamin was on a hospital bed and on morphine. Two hours later he was in surgery, I was in tears and wrestling with God about what was going on. “Come on, this is his summer. We can’t handle anymore trials!” God allowed me to vent and reminded me even though life doesn’t go as we want He is very much present and in charge of our lives. Nine days later Benjamin got off his plaster cast for a waterproof fiberglass one. The full arm cast hasn’t stopped him from playing baseball with one arm, swimming and even climbing. This Friday, Lord willing, his cast is cut off for a short forearm version. For some gross pictures of the break visit our blog (see above). We have learned a lot from Benjamin about perseverance and accepting diversity.
Isa is growing up and becoming her own little self. Often times you can find her running around in her bikini down the street to play with her good friends Will (2) and Emma (4). Today she has been wearing her new panties and a wristband, that’s it. She is learning to use the potty. So far 5 victories and 2 mistakes. That’s life.
Last month we took the kids to see Shrek 3 and realized we may have our own Shrek, Jonathan. He is still 8 years old and is the size of a 13 year old. What we love about Jonathan is his tender and compassionate heart. He challenges us in our love for the lost and hurting.
Just this past weekend Grandma and Grandpa visited and we headed down to the Greeley rodeo. Jonathan and the mechanical bull had their battle together. For a minute it looked like Jonathan was going to win but as usual the Bull took the victory. See our blog for pictures and videos.
Where does that leave Steve & Christine Van Diest? At times it is painful and sad that we’re not in Mexico but in the same breathe we see God’s handiwork in bringing life into our hearts, restoring our love for Him and each other as well as giving us a renewed and new vision for the future. Greeley has been restorative for our souls and ministry. We can’t say thank you enough for your gracious, patient, loving and encouraging support of our ministry and lives. It has been amazing that God is still providing for us through you in this transition. This is the lessons we are learning about his love, grace and mercy. You all have been a instrumental part in teaching us those lessons through your giving. Thank you!!!
Every week at our little church in Greeley we pray the Lord’s prayer. A phrase that has penetrated our hearts and one that God is confirming in our vision for the future is “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven.” We are sensing God’s pull on our hearts to be about the Kingdom work here in Northern Colorado. We want to bring about the goodness of his power, love and care for those who know and don’t know Jesus here; families, young and old people, hurting and those who have it all.
What does that look like for us in Campus Crusade? For right now we are waiting on the Lord to surface a position that allows us to serve out of our gifts and passions in light of this vision. On August 15, Steve will take a temporary position in our regional office serving our ministries in 5 states through ‘special projects’ until something later surfaces.
We believe God has a great future for us yet we don’t want to force the next chapter of our lives. Please pray for us. Please drop us an email us if you have any questions and comments. We cherish our partnership with you. We know that God has continued to call us to a life of ministry with you. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your understanding as we seek the Lord’s will for our next season of life. You all have been wonderful partners!
Categories: Newsletters, God, Family

Official Baby Announcement

These past 2 weeks have been super eventful. Jacob is such a blessing. The kids are loving and enjoying him. Even Isa is handling not being the baby anymore as long as she keeps her “princess” status.

Just this past week Benjamin had a compound fracture to his left arm and immediately had surgery to repair the broken bones.

Thank you for praying for us and partnering with us in ministry and in life.

Categories: Family, Photos, Prayer, Newsletters

Prayer Updates

Please Pray:

• For a healthy delivery of Baby #4.
• That God will lead us in our future living location and ministry.
• That we will continue to take the time to rest, hear from God and allow Him to grow and challenge us.
• That God will continue to lead and bless the Mexico City leadership in their efforts to reach every college student.
• That we continue to grow in depth and breadth in our love for each other; experiencing the love, grace and mercy of God to each other.
• For our kids as they reach out to their new friends and prepare for a new sibling.
  

Categories: Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Family and Future Update

The past 5 weeks have been filled with the Lord's presence and many encouraging people in our lives. We can honestly say our time in Greeley, the community of believers here and the time of rest and renewal has been the richest time in our lives. Thank you for the many cards, emails and calls of love, encouragement and support during our transition back to the states and during the experience of Christine's mom's death. We know and have experienced that with the body of Christ we are loving Christ, each other and experiencing His love more deeply. Thank you!

We are about 7 weeks away from Baby #4's anticipated arrival. We think Isa finally understands that there is a baby in Christine's belly. She also feels the weight of another brother as she gave up her crib this month and graduated to a big girls bed. We are also dreaming and wishing she will say good-bye to her diapers before he is born.

What does the future hold for us? We do know that God is leading us, wooing us and exciting us for a greater future of serving Him. We do believe that we’ll be in ministry this coming fall but haven't heard from God what that will exactly be. Thank you for supporting us, loving us and giving us the time and space to hear the voice of God. Join us in praying that we will follow Him in all we do. We love you and consider it an honor to serve with you.
Categories: Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Mexico City - Movements Everywhere

You all have been such a large part of our lives and ministry these past 13 years and especially this past year. We know that many of you were excited to be part of reaching each and every student in Mexico City. Even though we are not part of the team anymore and living in Mexico, we want to share with you some of the great work God is doing in the city. This following email came from our Denver, CO director and good friend, Eric, who spent a week in Mexico City. He wrote us saying:

"The fingerprints of your faith are all over this place. The Mexico City team (and helpers like us) are raising up laborers on every corner of this city. Mexican students throughout the city are ripe for the Gospel and coming to faith every day. We have found students of peace on multiple campuses who have been waiting to be empowered and sent. Thursday, Nate Hoover and I will go back to an Aeronautical Polytechnic to meet with a group of students who we surfaced today, including two, who seem to be some of the biggest influencers on campus. Some of our most unaligned Denver students are down here this week having 'a-ha' moments regarding simple movement building and life transformation groups.

My staff team has been refreshed and energized and seen the power of the Gospel. We have been reminded that we need to be people who still 'Go' to new people and places."

The following is an update from our friend in Mexico City:
"More than 110 college students and staff came to Mexico City during the month of March to believe God for launching movements at the more than 400 universities. Highly mobile ministry teams traversed the city showing up on 70 different universities. The results were amazing:

• 333 spiritual conversations.
• 226 clear explanations of the Gospel.
• 56 new believers.
• 15 new university movements launched.

One team of U.S. students invaded an engineering campus. As they searched for a movement leader, the Holy Spirit led them to a group of 6 girls that were spiritually interested. They took the opportunity to share the Gospel with them and 4 of them gave their lives to Christ.
Three days later, the team returned for follow-up. One of the girls shared that she went home after receiving Christ and immediately shared Christ with her extended family. The girls went through follow-up and now participate in two Life Transformation Groups (that include their two friends who have not yet received Christ).

The story doesn't end there. The team also surfaced a solid movement leader who was ready to start a movement and connected him with another student that came to Christ on that campus.

"AMAZING," was the word that most students used when describing their experience at the end of the week."

We, Steve and Christine, thank you for being part of the beginning of a great Kingdom work in Mexico City that will reach thousands of college students! Your partnership is making a difference.

Categories: Newsletter, MexicoCity, Prayers

Going Home

Last Sunday on February 25, I (Christine) sat and listened to the words of praise and love from friends and family about my beautiful mother at her memorial service in the Presbyterian church that I grew up in. My mother, Pamela, was honored by so many and we were all there to celebrate her life. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people from all walks of life there to show love and support. Mom fought so courageously in her battle with lung cancer which ravaged her body for the past 2 1/2 years. Mom never complained or gave up. She had an incredible attitude of humility and perseverance. She also had a smile that was infectious to those around and portrayed her inner strength.

My mom was 60 years old and touched and impacted every individual that came across her path. My mother embraced the outcasts and would give the shirt off her back or the shoes on her feet to someone in need. My mom was attentive to the needs of everyone around her. My mom's neighbor Mr. Ali spoke at the memorial service and said my mom was his family’s best friend. Mr. Ali and his family are from Pakistan and they have lived next door for 18 years. Mr. Ali said my mom was the kindest person he knew and was the best Christian he had ever met.

My (Christine) prayer in the 2 weeks prior to mom's death was that I wanted to be with my mom holding her hand when she died. I kept asking the Lord, begging the Lord when is the right time to go and see her again. How long did she have left? After speaking to my twin sister, Jennifer, Mom's husband Larry and the Hospice nurse, I realized that mom didn't have much time. My mom was unable to speak, eat or move. After I got off the phone , Isabela and I were on our way to the airport. We arrived Monday night and mom passed Wed. noon. I am grateful that I was there on her bed holding her hand just as I had asked the Lord. It was surreal, but so peaceful and intimate. There were about 5 of us in the bedroom when mom took her last breath and finally went home.

My mother loved the Lord. I know she is with the Father in Heaven singing, dancing, laughing and loving and being loved. That comforts me. Mom's precious body was ravaged by the cancer but now she has a new body. I will miss her so but the precious memories and the strength of her character and legacy will always be alive in me.

Categories: God, Family, Prayer, Newsletters

Waiting on the Lord

We are extremely grateful to the Lord and our Campus Crusade leadership for giving us this time to rest, restore and ultimately wait on the Lord for our future. We are seeing God poke and prod in our hearts, relationships, leadership and passions. At first it was super difficult to come home from a dream and vision that God gave us in Mexico but we see the hand of God develop us through His grace and mercy. God is restoring us, His children.

We can't say "Thank You!" enough for praying for us, your encouraging notes, phone calls and continued generous support. Your commitment to God's Kingdom work is evident in your faithfulness and love toward us. We know that apart from your partnership, encouragement and gifts and God’s presence we could not have transitioned as we have.

Gordon MacDonald says this, "The freest person in the world is one with an open heart, a broken spirit, and a new direction in which to travel." We believe that describes where we are. We are experiencing a depth with the Lord that has been so good. Just as Simon Peter was transformed through his broken world experience after denying Christ 3 times, Peter later became a rock for the Lord. We are learning that in pain and brokenness, God is defining our character and courage. It is humbling but restorative and good. Please know that you are a blessing to us and We Love You!

Steve and Christine
Categories: God, Family, Newsletters