An Unshakable Leader

Women’s ministry leaders around the world are answering God’s call to sacrificial recent months, the island has suffered multiple earthquakes and now leadership. For Denisse Cabrera, it meant canceling her plans to attend Mujer Verdadera '20 in Monterrey, Mexico, with her teenage daughter.

The Lord asked her to remain by her husband’s side—he’s a pastor and director of a church planting network in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Felix Cabrera was adapting overnight to new methods of ministry in the coronavirus pandemic—and she was needed there. Denisse recognized that her disappointing loss was insignificant compared to a divine opportunity to live out what she’s learned from Aviva Nuestros Corazones and now teaches to other women.

When the women of Denisse’s church, Iglesia Bautista Ciudad de Dios, turned to Denisse for counsel, she lost no time setting up virtual disci- pleship, prayer meetings, and a Bible study even though she describes herself as a novice in technology. As Denisse met the increasing needs of hurting and anxious women, she knew God’s priority for ministry leaders is to serve their family first—and she’s experiencing the bless- ings of following His ways. Felix Cabrera praises his wife:

Denisse is a gift of God's providence in my life. She loves God, she is a woman of prayer and of the Word, she loves and prays for me, she both serves and accompanies me, dreams with me and takes risks with me in my ministerial adventures.

The Cabrera family remains steadfast in their mission to serve their church and community. They view the current crisis as a reminder of our deep need for God. Their lives are built upon the unchanging truth that no matter what happens “if the only thing we have is God, then we have everything we need.”

Puerto Ricans have been hit hard since Hurricane Maria in 2017. In recent months, the island has suffered multiple earthquakes and now COVID-19. During these turbulent times, their one-year-old church is God can be trusted and is growing deep roots of faith and compassion. Iglesia Bautista Ciudad de Dios mobilized to support Pastor Cabrera’s food relief distribution plan that reached across the entire island.

While lives are being transformed all around them, Denisse’s life is also changing. She’s examining her heart and emotions for things that distract from deepening her relationship with Christ. Even when the ground shakes beneath her feet, she stands firm on the truth that God is sovereign and sits on the throne in heaven. His Word is shaping her as a leader and transforming her desires:

I want to treasure and long more for Christ. I want to know Him better than before and continue desiring Him more than anything in my life. I want to take advantage of every situation that comes my way as an opportunity to grow, to serve and love others, and to grow deeper in His Word and my love for Him.