September 24, 2018

Leaving Behind Santeria

Leo was confused and he was weary from the war raging inside of him.

San Juan, a community in Cuba that is strongly influenced by satanic religions, recently had a spiritual awakening. Mateo, who is a leader with the prison ministry in that region, began praying for San Juan. He knew of no Christ followers in this community, and so his team prayed earnestly. They asked the Lord to start a movement, believing He wanted to do something special for the lost people in this area. The time had come for the light of Christ to breach the dominion of darkness that had settled over this community. After three days of prayer, Mateo and his team went to San Juan to share the Gospel. They had prayed for a person to lead the way, a man ready for the Lord’s transformation. They knocked on Leo’s door. Three days before this visit, Leo battled his way through a spiritual attack. For the last 25 years, he had followed a satanically based religion called Santeria that encouraged hostility against Christians. Voices in his head told him to harm others then kill himself, while another voice told him to not hurt anyone and hand over all his idols to the missionaries in the community─missionaries who would soon be at his door. Leo was confused and he was weary from the war raging inside of him. He had not heard God’s voice before and did not understand who was speaking to him but he listened and he did not harm himself. Mateo’s team prayed with Leo and he was ready to receive the Lord. He gave the team all his idols and repented of his sinful ways. In return, he received a Bible. Leo’s transformation had been extraordinary. Others in the community followed Leo’s example and gave up their idols to follow Christ. San Juan is now a community with hope. Jesus is building a strong church there. His disciples now know His voice and they listen. Joy radiates from Leo as he walks through his community, his Bible under his arm and a smile on his face.

We are reminded in Ephesians 6:12: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Leo struggled against the forces of darkness, and for much of his life, he had allowed them to rule over him until the voice of the Lord spoke and Leo listened.

Latest Podcasts

The Battle Is the Lord’s

In this episode of The Unshakable Church, Ron shares a powerful reflection from Israel and a simple moment with his grandson that reveal a deeper Truth: everything God is building belongs to Him. From David’s warning to the joy of giving, this message calls us back to humility, trust, and the privilege of joining in God’s work. Listen now...

Unshakable Church • Apr 14, 2026

Called as Watchman

What does it mean to be a watchman -- and are you living like one? Drawing from Ezekiel 33, Ron Pearce unpacks the weight of carrying responsibility for the souls around you, sharing real stories of believers in some of the world's most restrictive nations who are boldly proclaiming the Gospel at great personal cost. A timely and convicting reminder that every believer has been entrusted with the Truth. Listen now...

Unshakable Church • Mar 20, 2026

When the Church Refuses to Stand Back

What does it mean to stand fully present before God? Drawing from the ancient Hebrew word hineni -- spoken by Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah -- Ron Pearce unpacks what total availability, trust, and obedience actually look like for believers today. From young church planters stepping boldly into ministry to seasoned leaders who refuse to retire from their calling, this episode is a timely challenge to move beyond casual commitment and live fully surrendered to God's purposes. Listen now...

Unshakable Church • Jan 19, 2026

A village healer’s son finds healing and follows Jesus

At 17, Preem Raj was facing a serious illness with no hope for recovery -- and as the son of a feared village healer, seeking help elsewhere came with enormous risk. But one prayer in the name of Jesus changed everything. Today he leads believers across two villages as the Gospel continues to spread through India, one transformed life at a time. Read more...

Stories from the Field • Apr 16, 2026

2025 – YEAR IN REVIEW

2025 was a year of extraordinary Gospel advance -- and Empower Ministries was on the ground to witness it. In this year in review, Ron Pearce shares the key patterns and lessons God revealed through decades of work in spiritual hotspots worldwide, from the persevering church in China to explosive growth across Africa, India, and beyond. If you want to understand where God is moving most powerfully right now, this is essential reading. Read more...

Jan 12, 2026

The Lostness of Man

What does it truly mean to be lost -- and does the Church still feel the weight of that reality? In this classic work, Rev. Louis L. King, D.D., Foreign Secretary of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, cuts through comfortable Christianity to confront believers with the spiritual condition of a world without Christ. Piercing, compassionate, and urgently relevant, this is a reading that has the power to reignite a passion for the Gospel in anyone who has grown complacent. Read more...

Teaching • Oct 08, 2025

From the Frontlines: Called by Name

He received training, returned home, and planted a church. In Ethiopia, a young man broke a stone in two and found carved inside the words, Jesus is Lord. Weeks later, it happened again. A voice told him to seek out a certain man, an Empower partner who shared the Gospel and led him to Christ. Watch now...

Mar 03, 2026

Faith Under Fire in China

In one village in China, police stormed a gathering to arrest a pastor and silence the Gospel. But brand-new believers clung to the officers’ legs so he could escape. As they were beaten, they prayed for the salvation of the very men striking them. “This is normal Christianity in China,” Ron Pearce says. Watch now...