Building the Church By Going
Aliza Ministries began in May of 2025, during a time of deep prayer. At that time, we sensed the Lord calling us to more fully live out the Great Commission—to go, make disciples, and bring hope to the broken and the lost. We began to see that many within the church were growing discontent, not because they lacked teaching, but because they lacked mission. God is calling us to more than just doing normal church, but going, serving, preaching the gospel, and helping those in need.
Just a few weeks later, during that same season, we received life-altering news. While pregnant, we learned that our unborn daughter had a terminal birth defect. She was born on September 28, 2025. We named her Aliza, a name that means “joy.” Her name became a declaration—joy in Christ, even in suffering. After her birth, we knew we needed to move forward with what the Lord had placed on our hearts.
Aliza Ministries was named in honor of our daughter and the joy her life represents. It is both a memorial and a mission.
The Circuit Rider Vision
Before we learned of her diagnosis, we decided to name our daughter Aliza. Around that time, I was reading about the life of Francis Asbury, one of the great circuit riders of the Second Great Awakening. What deeply impacted me was not simply his preaching, but the model of ministry he represented.
Circuit riders—most notably John Wesley and Francis Asbury—did not focus on constructing church buildings. Instead, they traveled on horseback from town to town, creating “circuits” of communities. In each place, they preached the gospel, discipled new believers, raised up leaders, and formed fellowships of disciples. Then they moved on to the next community, returning regularly to strengthen what had begun.
Their emphasis was on building the Church—the body of Christ—not buildings.
John Wesley and Francis Asbury’s work eventually laid the foundation for what became the Methodist Church. But what made the early movement so powerful was its mobility. It was the going—community to community, person to person—meeting needs, preaching Christ, and forming disciples.
As I read Asbury’s story, one detail struck me deeply. His mother, whose life was radically transformed after hearing John Wesley preach, was named Eliza! Her encounter with the gospel changed her life, filled her with joy, and profoundly influenced her son’s calling. Discovering that detail just weeks after naming our daughter Aliza felt like confirmation from the Lord.
In that moment, the vision became twofold:
• Aliza Ministries honors our daughter and the joy her name carries.
• It also reflects the circuit rider spirit—going into communities to make disciples and build the Church in a living, relational way.
What We are Called to Do
Aliza Ministries seeks to embody that same heart in a modern context.
We desire to go into broken, impoverished, and underserved communities—not for one-time events, but to build ongoing relationships. Our goal is to embed ourselves within communities over time, returning regularly to love, serve, and disciple.
This includes:
• Feeding the homeless and those in need
• Hosting community gatherings and block parties to build trust and connection
• Providing practical resources and meeting tangible needs
• Starting Bible studies and discipling those who desire to grow
• Raising up leaders within those communities
We also plan to:
• Organize service projects that bring hope and restoration
• Conduct street evangelism nights in various cities
• Take mission trips focused on outreach and discipleship
The vision is not simply outreach—it is relationship. Not just preaching, but presence. Not just events, but discipleship.
We want to see communities transformed by the love of Jesus through consistent investment and faithful return—just as the circuit riders did.
A Family Mission
It is a family mission.
We believe children should grow up seeing and participating in the Great Commission. Too often, kids attend church without experiencing the joy and purpose of serving others. We want to create opportunities where families serve together—where children feed the hungry, pray for the hurting, and see firsthand that they can make a difference.
By involving families in service projects and outreach, children gain a tangible understanding of the gospel in action. They don’t just hear about Jesus—they live out His mission.
Come With Us
We are still in the beginning phases of this ministry. We already have service projects scheduled and are identifying communities where we believe God is leading us. But as with any mission, this work requires prayer, partnership, and financial support.
We are grateful for those who pray and give. Your support makes this possible.
But more than that, we want to extend a deeper invitation.
There was once a powerful movement known as the Student Volunteer Movement that challenged young people not merely to support missions—but to go. Their rallying cry was simple: “Come with me.”
That is our heart.
Don’t just pray for us.
Don’t just support us.
Come with us.
Come serve.
Come build relationships.
Come make disciples.
Come bring hope to the broken.
Aliza Ministries exists to build the Church by going—community to community, heart to heart—carrying the joy of Christ wherever He sends us.
And in doing so, we carry the legacy of our daughter’s name: joy that cannot be taken, joy that multiplies, and joy that brings life to others.