Displaying items by tag: Pat McGuffin

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 03:16

An Open Door in Guatemala

God just opened another door for our ministry. Pat and I just returned from Guatemala. We went at the invitation of Bart Biddle, who has been evangelizing and planting churches in the mountains there for 15 years.


	Tony, Pat, Bart & Wesley

We started with a 2 days conference with the pastors of those churches on a mountaintop where we prayed together, taught and ministered.


Tony and Pat preaching in outdoor market

The Lord touched the pastors mightily with an outpouring of his Holy Spirit.

The rest of that week we drove, walked and hiked up mountains to about 6 of their churches over treacherous mountain roads and paths. Thankfully the Lord helped us “not so young guys” overcome the obstacles. We praise God that the fire of the Holy Spirit broke out in most of the churches where we went and the Lord was faithful to heal and touch these wonderful people.

A highlight for me was preaching in the outdoor market in Belihu on Friday morning. A large but tough crowd was there but many were captivated as about 6 of us took turns preaching the gospel to them. One person came to Bart and Pat and asked for prayer for a hernia he had, and Jesus healed him!


	Tony dedicating a baby in Belihu

On Sunday we preached in Family Restoration Church in Parramos, which is a suburb of Guatemala City. It is a middle class church of about 200 in attendance last Sunday. Pat taught and then I wrapped up with an altar call. We all prayed for the people who came forward and the Lord touched them with healings, rededications and baptisms in the Spirit with speaking in tongues for the first time.

We made some great new friends. Actually, we expanded our known family. We want to see them again and they have invited us back, especially to help train pastors and leaders. What a blessing that wherever we go the Lord goes with us and introduces us to people we will be getting to know forever!

Published in Mission Field

Wednesday, 10 October 2012 14:31

What's Up in Ecuador?

On Friday September 21, 2012 the Heart of Titus Ministry (HOT) team of Scott Smothers, his 8-year-old son (my grandson) Reece and I boarded an American Airlines flight to Ecuador out of Orlando, ready for an amazing trip. It was in the perfect timing of a mission trip from God’s perspective, but a rough time for me, in that we were moving our office to a new location! But, God’s timing was perfect, and He was honored by our obedience in going and serving Him.

So here we were, three generations, excited to serve our Lord. It was Reece’s first jet plane ride and mission trip, Scott’s second missions trip, and my 45^th mission trip. We had prepared our hearts and listened intently to key themes that God gave us in advance. Scott felt compelled to have his key thrust from God to focus on trusting Him in all arenas of life and in each season. The phrase “prepare the way of the Lord” became my focus for much of my preaching.

Leaving Orlando, we arrived in Miami to change planes, but the plane in Miami had a cracked windshield and we left very late and arrived in Guayaquil Ecuador after 12:30am early Saturday morning. After a long 2 hours clearing customs, we were greeted by our host and fellow Heart of Titus Ministries board member Fernando Ubilla, Pastor Miguel and Judy Saez (81 years young, and waiting at the airport since 8pm Friday night), Dr. Byron and Leonora Lopez, Marcel and Dr. Byron Alfredo Lopez, Jackie and Francisco Yoong, Albert and Ruth and their daughter. What a reception at a very late (early morning) hour. Of course we had “dinner” at Fernando’s home when we arrived and then finally got to bed around 4am.

Reece was overwhelmed by all the attention and was a real trooper at the intense travel schedule. Miguel couldn’t wait to get his arms around Reece, having prayed for him EVERY DAY since Reece was 2 years old! He carries a photo of Reece in his bible and prays every night for Reece! It was a great reunion time for Scott, having not been to Ecuador in two years, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my dear friends and co-labors in Christ.

I rose before 9am, with Reece happily coming into my room, saying “Good morning Granddad!” It doesn’t get any better than this – being on a missions trip to Ecuador, ministering with my 8-year-old grandson! Wow, what a privilege to show him and Scott more about serving our Lord in another nation.

Later that afternoon we ministered at a new church plant in Mapasingue with Pastor Ordonez Mendoza. This church was planted by Pastors William and Marybell Rodriguez, from the church at 9^th of October Street. William has become a great new addition to our Heart of Titus Ministry in Ecuador. There were about 50-65 people at this service, and the church was filled with real life. Most of our local Guayaquil HOT team came to the service. I preached on Ephesians 4 about preparing the way of the Lord in our lives, by being “children of the light.” Marcel translated and we had a great response at the altar with the Lord touching many lives in many different ways. Afterwards we ate at Master Pizza, at the invitation of Pastor William, and celebrated Scott’s birthday! Scott celebrated his 33^rd birthday serving the Lord as we boarded the plane to Ecuador!

THIS IS A LONG REPORT, WITH MORE TO COME ON WHAT HAPPENED NEXT!

Published in Mission Field

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 03:18

Saving the Best for Last - El Salvador Report

Sunday, October 16

Sunday was an amazing and full day with our team preaching and ministering at seven services! I originally had four, but one dropped off, and Jarred and Daniel had two services each. The morning started early and


	Jarred Bess (R) on a bus full of counselors in El Salvador

Jarred and I left at about 7:15, and Daniel left with Albert’s mom Sonya about at 8:30am.

I went to Pastor Edwin Guzmon’s Church in San Marcos. The intense rain never stopped. I was preaching both the 8am and the 10am services. When I arrived, I discovered Pastor Edwin was in the USA and his wife, Pastora Sonya, was in charge.

We had a great 8am service with a couple hundred people, with salvation, healing, rededication to the Lord and filling of His Holy Spirit, all part of the altar call. After that service, they took me to a room in the church with 65 refugees from the great rain storm. Many were told to evacuate their homes due to mudslides.

They told me of a story of a mother, father, new-born baby and grandmother who were saved from a mudslide taking their home. They had evacuated at 4am that morning and went to the church. Around 6am the grandmother wanted to go back to protect her home. (The poor steal from the poor in a poor country to survive.) But the church pleaded for them not to go home, but eat breakfast first at the church. They went back and forth on this discussion, and finally the family stayed for breakfast served by the church. (I don’t think the family was Christian.) After breakfast, the grandmother went home – but the home was gone, taken by the mudslide!

By God’s mercy that family was saved by the church’s insistence on staying for breakfast; otherwise, they would have been destroyed by the mudslide! I bent down on that wet church floor next to a makeshift bed, and spoke and prayed with the family. The mother and dad I think grasped the blessing of being saved from the mudslide, along with their new-born child, who was wrapped in a blanket. But the grandmother could not be consoled. She had lost everything. Who knows the treasures in that house that may have been passed down from her mom or grandparents. So sad. I had to fight back the tears prior to preaching my next service in a few minutes. The face of that grandmother left my emotions rocked. I wanted to hold them and cry with them, but I had to go minister to more hurting people. Sometimes to them it is little consolation that their lives were spared, yet they lost everything. I prayed my heart out before the Lord on their behalf, then left to preach.

Sometimes we don’t understand the magnitude of a 10-day rainstorm in a foreign, poor, mountainous country. It is devastating! Loss of homes, lives, crops, income – you name it. It was overwhelming.

After regaining composure, I went into the main church service at 10am to minister to another 250 people. Why were they there? They were told by the government and radio/TV to not leave their homes and be on the roads – yet, many still came to church!

Well God met scores of people at the altar again and His power was evident. I remember several were healed immediately in the name of Jesus of heavy pain in backs, stomachs and ankles. I remember a man who received clarity in his foggy sight and the look on his face as he looked around after the Lord touched him. So many got their bodies changed by the Lord at this service.

Daniel preached at 9am at the House of Prayer (our team’s third time there this week). He reported not only wonderful miracles, but a true bonding occurring between Heart of Titus and the people of this church.

Jarred ministered at 9am at one of Pastor Juan Antonio’s church’s – Rosaria Demora’s church. Jarred also reported a great connection between the people of the church and the ministry we bring. I am so proud of Jarred. This was his second time preaching ever, and God was not only using him but moving him more into a greater understanding of the heart of Jesus for His sheep. Jarred observed families taking off their shoes, rolling up pants or dresses and crossing a 12’ stream, just to get into the church.

After a quick lunch, we split again into two churches under the oversight of Pastor Juan Antonio. Daniel preached at San Migileto and Jarred preached at Los Planes (Juan Antonio’s main church). I went with Daniel and marvelled at the work the Lord has done in him, as he is being transformed into a mighty minister for the Lord. He showed humility yet walked in the power of Christ.

Finally our last service came for the week of ministry. We were in a 4,000-member church at the invitation of Pastor Navas, who interviewed me on his TV station on Thursday of last week. Probably only 250 people were there, due to the rains. We experienced great worship and after I preached the televised service, Jarred and Daniel ministered with me at the altar. God once again touched His people with many signs and wonders. What a great time!

After we concluded we went out to eat with Albert and Juan Antonio and his wife Esmeralda at Pizza Hut to recount the week.

The next day we came home. Overall on this trip I was impressed in the growth of our relationships with the pastors and the churches, with the growth of Jarred and Daniel as ministers, and the growth in the churches through the addition of new souls and strengthening of faith through signs and wonders the Lord allowed us to see. I am still bewildered by why God gives me, of all people, the opportunity to serve Him and walk in His power.

Published in Mission Field

Sunday, 06 November 2011 11:21

El Salvador Miracles in October

Heart of Titus trip October 11-17, 2011

Here's what happened on Friday and Saturday of their trip:

Friday, October 14

Daniel led devotions in the morning, and we all had a good time of sharing. After that we went to lunch and had a great time getting to know Alberto and his sister Rebecca. This was our slowest ministry day.


	Daniel (R) with translator counseling woman at Operation Blessing free medical clinic. Many were saved that day

During the day we stopped at The 700 Club offices and Operation Blessing. We gathered the entire staff and prayed of each one. The staff included doctors, a lawyer, media people, and many general staff members. What a privilege for us to pray and minister of these amazing servants of our Lord.

That evening, Daniel and Jarred preached at one of Pastor Juan Antonio Recinos’ church missions in a very poor area. I preached to a small gathering at Juan Antonio’s church. People were responsive.

By the way, it rained the ENTIRE time we were in El Salvador! Probably there was only a cumulative time of two hours it did NOT rain the entire week – night or day included. This rain resulted in much flooding and mudslides – 26 deaths by Sunday. (Also 40% of the nation’s crops were lost by Saturday. And the rains were still going when we left. It was a national disaster!) Albert and his dad, who work with Operation Blessing, were mobilizing efforts for food, clothing, medicines and more, for so many who have lost much during this crazy non-stop rain.

Saturday, October 15

Saturday morning Jarred led the devotions. Breakfast was prepared, as usual, by the housekeeper Rosa. We left to meet Juan Antonio for lunch, then we divided up to preach at three different churches within Juan Antonio’s sphere outside the city. We drove outside the city for a good hour through the rain in and out of mountains.

Jarred was dropped off first out of Juan Antonio’s van, way out in the boonies. It was his first time preaching, and he was excited! We stopped the van on the muddy dirt road with the rain coming down and he got out, then had to walk with his guide to the church through the massively-flooded area. A small creek had formed and some of the church members had to take their shoes off, roll up their pant legs or dress and walk through the flood to get in the church. Jarred tore his pants on the brush getting to the church as well. Then the lights went out in the church! So Jarred preached his first sermon in the dark, reading his Bible by the light of his phone in a church in a flooded area. Oh, and without electricity, he also didn’t have a microphone. Wow! He didn’t care. God showed up! People responded, got healed, repented and got saved!

Then Daniel and I switched churches. I was scheduled to preach at the larger church of Maximino’s like I did in July, but we discovered it was youth and young adult night, so I thought he would be a better fit. Oh, by the way, his translator cancelled, so he preached his first church service totally in Spanish! He did great! Many young people responded and desired to walk in purity and repented, responding to God’s tug on their heart.

So this night was a first for Jarred – preaching – and a first for Daniel – preaching in Spanish!

I went to our third church with a pastor who had been preaching for 35 years (longer than my 32 years of marriage). What a great servant of God. The worship was very “country churchish,” but certainly heart-felt. I preached and then ministered to about 35 people who came forward. We had one salvation, prayed for several marriages, and had several instant healings,


Pat ministering to pastor after message in a church in San Salvador

including back pain, sinus and breathing issues, unclear eyesight, and severe stomach pain. Prior to the preaching/ministry time, there was a great drama about a gang killing a boy, enraging a brother, a praying mother, and forgiveness. It was emotional and powerful!

After the service was over at this Assemblies of God church, the pastor came up to me and asked me to pray for him. He had a stroke and couldn’t move his left arm or fingers. I prayed in the name of our amazing Lord Jesus for his fingers to move – and they began moving! Then I prayed for him to grip my hand hard, and for the entire hand to be healed – and his hand was healed in our Saviour’s name! Then I prayed for his wrist, then elbow and they started working. Then I prayed for his shoulder and whole arm, and told him to raise his arm up in praise to the Lord, and he did it! So now he has full use of his formally useless left arm! PTL!

We went and picked up Jarred and met at Maximino’s church, waiting on Daniel to finish ministering. Earlier God gave me a word to give Max and he testified that it was a confirmation to an earlier word he received three weeks prior.

After we drove home in the pouring rain, we stayed up late sharing about all that the Lord had done.

Here is Pat's journal for the next 2 days of this incredible mission to El Salvador last month:

Thursday October 13

This morning I was interviewed at a Christian television station (with the third highest viewership in the nation) at 8:45am by Pastor Navas. It turned out to be a great interview – live – with two 20-minute segments covering being a Christian businessman and missionary with Heart of Titus Ministries. We discussed our ministry’s purpose in San Salvador and also discussed our working in other countries. I really connected with Pastor Navas. After the interview, he invited me to preach Sunday morning at his 4,000 member church, but I already had an 8am and 10am service scheduled elsewhere, so I will preach at his 5pm service Sunday night instead. (Currently that will be my fourth scheduled service for Sunday, and the eighth for our team on Sunday alone!)

Jarred and Daniel left at 6am to go to an all-day medical clinic put on by Operation Blessing so they could counsel the patients. The organization, which is a sister organization to The 700 Club, is run in this nation by Albert’s dad; it is the organization for which Albert works. For the free clinic, the people had to go through “Christian counselling” before they could get their prescriptions filled. There were 280 patients and scores got saved during the one-on-one counselling sessions! The guys had a great time. We joked with Daniel because a beautiful single translator paired herself up with Daniel to assist in the counselling time. Jarred got a great translator too, but “Jerry” wasn’t as cute, according to Jarred.

At noon, I was supposed to meet with the pastor of the largest church in the nation, but something came up and he didn’t make the lunch. However, it provided a great opportunity to counsel and pray with our translator Albert, and one of his co-workers Elizabeth. Great time!

That night I preached at Pastor Romel Guadron’s church – Spirit of Life. Packed church. I ministered to about 30 people at the altar – one salvation, about 5 verified instant healings (including eyes, sinus pain, leg/knee problem with an elderly man). It was good reconnecting with Pastor Romel from our last meeting in July.

Also Thursday night Jarred and Daniel went to a youth/singles small cell group from Josue Church. Although the guys enjoyed the time, the leader didn’t want them praying over the people individually. It was weird, and they weren’t given a reason. But otherwise, they had a great time challenging the singles on how they needed to walk a Spirit-led life.

Friday, October 14

Daniel led devotions in the morning, and we all had a good time of sharing. After that we went to lunch and had a great time getting to know Alberto and his sister Rebecca. This was our slowest ministry day.

During the day we stopped at The 700 Club offices and Operation Blessing. We gathered the entire staff and prayed of each one. The staff included doctors, a lawyer, media people, and many general staff members. What a privilege for us to pray and minister of these amazing servants of our Lord.

That evening, Daniel and Jarred preached at one of Pastor Juan Antonio Recinos’ church missions in a very poor area. I preached to a small gathering at Juan Antonio’s church. People were responsive.

By the way, it rained the ENTIRE time we were in El Salvador! Probably there was only a cumulative time of two hours it did NOT rain the entire week – night or day included. This rain resulted in much flooding and mudslides – 26 deaths by Sunday. (Also 40% of the nation’s crops were lost by Saturday. And the rains were still going when we left. It was a national disaster!) Albert and his dad, who work with Operation Blessing, were mobilizing efforts for food, clothing, medicines and more, for so many who have lost much during this crazy non-stop rain.

It’s Tuesday October 11, 2011 and our Heart of Titus ministry team of Daniel Howell, Jarred Bess and myself are excited to be on our way. We left Orlando in the afternoon, and changed planes in Houston Texas, and on to San Salvador, El Salvador for an amazing adventure serving our Lord Jesus. All of us had prepared our hearts for several weeks with prayer and fasting, expecting the Holy Spirit to lead us every step, and empower us to expand His kingdom throughout this great nation of El Salvador.

We were met at the airport by Albert Rodriguez, our coordinator for this trip, main translator, and the one whose house we were going to stay at for this trip. Daniel and I met Albert on our last trip in July. He was educated at Oral Roberts University in the USA, and amazingly went to school with and knew Sarah Nardella, Tony’s daughter! When we arrived at his parent’s house, it was huge and we discovered his dad, Manuel (Memo), was a congressman! So of course Daniel and Jarred started with the jokes about “Pat’s cushy missions trips.”

Wednesday October 12

Well we just completed our first day of ministry in El Salvador, and what a day it was! It started early with our first service at the House of Prayer Church at 9:30am. Daniel Howell and Jarred Bess gave a greeting and did a great job helping me minister at the altar. We enjoyed the two-guitar worship team that played in amazing Latin style as we worshiped our Lord Jesus.

After the worship, they had testimony time with many people getting up and sharing what God had been doing in the last few days. Fantastic time! Next we were called to a time of prayer and the whole church knelt and prayed for about 25 minutes. We walked around and prayed over many. By the time everybody had soaked in prayer, the preaching time was wonderful and I found everyone was engaged and ready to respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting at the altar. Salvation, repentance, filling of the Holy Spirit, deliverance and healing were all part of our time.

Jarred and Daniel both had many people healed, as did I during our prayer time. I got two of those on video testimony. One was a lady who couldn't move her fingers on one hand, and the Lord healed her! The other was a man plagued by very bad sinus problems who was now able to get a full breath. He was excited!

Then tonight (Wednesday) we split into two teams, with Jarred and I going to the Jerusalem Church, and Daniel going back to the House of Prayer to minister and preach. Wow, what a time Jarred and I had! Incredible time of worship -- over the top in anointing! Then I preached after Jarred gave a greeting and half the church responded.

We once again had a pouring out of God's Spirit through healing, deliverance, repentance and filling of His Spirit. There seemed to be many who dealt with unworthiness of God's great love, but the Lord lifted their hearts! Daniel reported a great time in sharing in Galatians 3 and 5, with many touched by our Lord at the altar.

Then we all met for dinner with one of the pastors from the church where I preached. We had a great night of fellowship. Now for a few hours of sleep, followed by Daniel and Jarred heading out at 6am to minister all day in prayer with over 200 medical patients through Operation Blessing. They are so excited!

I leave at 8:30am to be interviewed on Christian television as to our purposes of ministry in El Salvador through Heart of Titus -- great opportunity! Then at noon tomorrow I am meeting with one of the pastors from the largest church in the nation. Tomorrow night Daniel and Jarred tag-team at a singles cell group, and I will preach at Pastor Rommel's church that we preached at in both March and July this year.

Well it's 12:30am in El Salvador, so I better get some sleep.

Exciting report, and this is just the first 2 days! More of Pat's report to follow in the next day or 2. - Editor's note

Published in Mission Field

Monday, 03 October 2011 00:03

El Salvador Again

In just a few more days (October 11) Daniel Howell, Jarred Bess and Pat McGuffin will be traveling to El Salvador for the third Heart of Titus Ministries trip there this year. Excitement is mounting for both the North American team and the pastors in El Salvador preparing to receive them.


Street view, San Salvador

During the exploratory first trip in April Pat and Tony "spied out the land" to


Pat and Tony in San Salvador, April 2011

see what opportunities God would open; He opened the doors wide in serving over a three dozen churches.

In July Pat and Tony were joined by Daniel Howell and by Dr. Byron Lopez and his son Marcel from Ecuador. Even though many obstacles were


	The El Salvador team: Marcel Lopez, Pat, Daniel, Tony, Dr. Byron Lopez - June 2011

encountered, the team once again saw many salvations, healings, deliverances, restoration of marriages, and help to pastors throughout the capital of San Salvador. And again, more doors opened with many other churches and Christian leaders in the nation.

On this upcoming trip, we will be expanding our ministry with dozens of churches who fall under the leadership of Pastor Edwin Stephen Guzman, continue working with the two dozen or more churches under Pastor Juan Carlos Recinos, and reach into many other churches through a new relationship with Alberto Rodriguez who works with the 700 Club and Operation Blessing.

Please be praying for this important missions trip to serve our Lord. May the Holy Spirit show His power for life change to a very needy nation.

Published in Mission Field

Friday, 08 July 2011 12:12

Daniel's View of El Salvador

This has been a trip in the making. Earlier this year Pastors Pat McGuffin and Tony Nardella made a preliminary trip to meet some of the pastors in the city. Now, the three of us have been invited back for a week long opportunity to minister to a number of the pastors and churches in the capital, San Salvador. It's always good to do some research on a place you are about visit. As I went searching through the archives of El Salvador, I learned of its brutal and war-beaten past, the civil unrest, and home of the largest and most violent gang in the world, MS13. A heaviness fell over my heart as I pictured the city cloaked in darkness and haunted by fear. Yet, it is in these darkest hours that often man acknowledges his need of a Savior. Therefore, join us in prayer, that God would be pleased to yet again demonstrate to the people of El Salvador that He is Mighty to Save.

This will be the second trip Daniel Howell is making with Heart of Titus. Daniel went to Ecuador with Pat McGuffin last year. Daniel is an evangelist with a heart for souls, especially young souls. We are glad Daniel is coming with us to lend his gifts and talents on this trip.

Published in Mission Field

Wednesday, 06 July 2011 17:45

Update on El Salvador Trip

We are heading to El Salvador the day after tomorrow. We have been told that 150 pastors will be coming to our breakfast and mini-seminar on Saturday morning. Also, the 3 day conference has been changed to Monday - Wednesday instead of Tuesday - Thursday.

The theme of the conference next week is "Mighty to Save."

¹⁷ "The LORD your God is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
   he will quiet you with his love,
   he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zep.3:17

Please pray for us, and also if the Lord so leads you to partner with us on the cost of these conferences we would greatly appreciate it.

Published in Mission Field

Monday, 04 July 2011 20:27

Back to El Salvador!

This week Pat McGuffin is leading a team back to El Salvador. This Saturday morning we have a 3 hour meeting with at least 90 pastors. In the middle of next week, July 12-14, our team will be putting on a 3 day conference with the theme "Mighty to Save."

Pat and I (Tony Nardella) went to El Salvador for the first time in April of this year. While there we could se that the Lord was opening an effective door of ministry for us, so we are happy to return.

Dr. Mateo Moria has arranged these events with the help of Pastor Herman Turcios Hernandez. We are looking forward to seeing the friends we met in April along with meeting new friends there.

Dr. Byron Lopez and his son Marcel from Ecuador will be joining us. Dr. Byron is the teacher of our Heart of Titus team that meets every Monday night. He is prophetic and has traveled with us throughout Ecuador and to Peru in the past.

Marcel Lopez is a 4th year medical student who has been translating for us and for other English speakers visiting Ecuador since he was 17 years old. Marcel is a mighty man of God through with huge faith.

Daniel Howell from here in Orlando is travelling with us as well. This is his second trip with Heart of Titus. He has a burden for souls and has been active with street evangelism. Lately the Lord has been using him more and more prophetically. We are looking forward to him and Marcel ministering to the youth of San Salvador together.

I am a last minute add-on to the trip. I'll be coming back early but I am so glad to be able to return to El Salvador and have an opportunity to be a blessing along with the rest of the team.

Please pray for us that the Lord will give us great boldness and faith, and that the people of El Salvador will be blessed, encouraged and refreshed by the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Published in Mission Field

Tuesday, 07 June 2011 02:32

Woman Healed of Deafness

This video is so good I wanted to post it again:

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Published in Mission Field

Friday, 04 February 2011 04:24

Iguanas in a Tree - Video

This is from the iguana park in Ecuador. See if you can count how many iguanas are in the tree!

Published in Pat's Blog