DTC Stories

Defending the Cause: The Gift of Healing

Fathers in the Field - Field Buddy Isaiah, Single Mom Tina, Mentor Father Victor
Field Buddy Isaiah, Single Mom Tina, Mentor Father Victor

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16 ESV

What is the best gift you ever received?

This month we will celebrate Christmas and honor the timeless tradition of giving gifts just as the Wise Men did at the birth of Christ. As a Christian I can honestly say that the best gift I have ever received was salvation through the work and grace of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave His only Son over to be crucified that sinners like me might be given the gift of eternal life. I stand amazed at this generous gift every single day, but there was a time when my heart craved a different gift.

Growing up fatherless I longed to have the gift of my father’s love, recognition and approval. What a gift it would have been then to have my father reflect the love and grace I experience now through my Heavenly Father. Fathers in the Field equips churches across the country to give a gift similar to that for fatherless boys by placing a godly Mentor Father in their life. Our desire is that the gift of a godly man will lead a boy to receiving the ultimate gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Six months ago Field Buddy Isaiah got the gift of a Mentor Father. Sadly the search began back in 2015 when our Southeast Regional Missionary Kevin Drewry spoke to Tina about Fathers in the Field; Tina had contacted us when she learned of the ministry on American Family Radio. Sad because it took Kevin nearly two years of hard work to find a church willing to equip their men and raise a Mentor Father for Isaiah. Yet we rejoice now that Floral Baptist Church in Floral, Arkansas saw the great need and joyfully raised Mentor Father Victor to stand in the gap for Isaiah. What an amazing gift!

Isaiah has had a difficult life for being only 10. His father’s struggles with drugs caused him to be in and out of Isaiah’s life from age 3 until his death several years later. His mother Tina recalls “When Isaiah was 5 his father would promise to come and see him and his sisters on Saturday at a specific time. Isaiah had learned to tell time by then and would stand at the window at the set time and watch for a man who was more than likely not coming. There were those rare times he would actually come so even though the chance was rare it was still a chance, a hope Isaiah clung to. It broke my heart to see him waiting, expecting, and desiring a man to honor his word and show up knowing that it likely wouldn’t happen. After his dad passed away I tried a nationally recognized mentoring group twice, but both times they failed to honor their promises to find him a mentor.”

So when Tina heard Kevin on the radio she tried again and contacted us. Unlike others who had failed her, Kevin worked until he found a church that would honor their word and help. Mentor Father Victor has had an amazing impact on the life of Isaiah. “Vic is always asking to take Isaiah out to do stuff. We live in the country so they do a little of everything. From feeding the cows to hunting to church related activities. Vic has been such a blessing to our family; he is a gift from God.”

Fathers in the Field - Pastor Mike baptizing Isaiah
Pastor Mike baptizing Isaiah.

Isaiah gave his life to Jesus when he was 6 years old, but struggled with making the decision to be baptized. On August 27th, 2017 shortly after Victor began mentoring him Isaiah was baptized. What a wonderful blessing to see a boy receive the two greatest gifts he could ever receive!

Our Heavenly Father gave us the gift of eternal life through His Son and asks believers to imitate Christ. A Christian man imitates Christ by selflessly giving of his time to help heal the broken heart of a fatherless boy. Hard to ask for a better gift this Christmas.

Join with us in giving the gift of a Mentor Father to a fatherless boy, so that he in turn might help a fatherless boy find salvation in Christ.

Contact me to find out how you can be a champion to the fatherless.

Standing in the Gap,
John Smithbaker
Founding Servant