It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of one of our faithful trainers, Carlos Cruz. Carlos passed away on Monday, January 23.
Carlos gave his life to Christ in mid-August 2011 (on his birthday) through the witness of Frank Cole, pastor of Church With No Walls in Hobart, Tasmania. After his conversion, I asked pastor Frank if I could train him and his Josephine; Frank readily consented, and we began right away.
We began TFT (Training Faithful Trainers) in Carlos & Josephine’s apartment in Glenorchy, and they had invited another family to join them the first day. By Christmas, we transitioned this group into a church that met weekly for training, celebration, and lots of food. This one group later proved to be the start of a movement stream that spread beyond anyone’s imagination.
Despite many obstacles and a poverty-level income, Carlos & Josephine witnessed faithfully, reached many new believers, and started several groups in the Hobart area. Some of these groups gave birth to two additional generations. They also pioneered the training disciples via Skype in the Philippines (Josephine’s home country), and what they started in Manila blossomed into over 40 groups in a matter of months.
In August 2013, the Lord led them to move to Tacloban in the Philippines. They opened their home to family members and people in need who needed a place to stay, and at one point they had well over 20 people living with them. Just a few months after their arrival, we heard news that typhoon Haiyan passed directly through Tacloban and destroyed most of the city. Carlos told me that the flood water got so high inside the house that they had to hold the youngest children on their shoulders, while many of the others were perched in the rafters. After the storm subsided, Carlos noted that the water level outside (denoted by the water stains on the wall) was a full meter higher than the water level inside–nothing short of God’s miraculous provision during that fateful storm.
In the aftermath, they were forced to relocate to a San Pablo City. Once again, they opened their home to poor and homeless people, mostly youth. Their compassionate nature was not always recognized by the authorities and they were frequently denied financial or social assistance. This was one of many factors that took a toll on Carlos’ health and well-being. But God knows their hearts and how they gave so generously to those in need around them–yet never failing to share the gospel message abundantly.
The passing of Carlos Cruz brings to a close the cooperative work of this great couple that have been such dear friends and amazing partners in Kingdom work. We are sad to see him go, but so glad to know that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.
Let us pray for Josephine during this time of grief. We pray that she will continue the work of sharing the good news and making disciples, and that their legacy of obedience to the Great Commission will continue without hindrance.
