Life

It’s Sunday night and I just got back home from the hospital. It’s crazy how I constantly switch hats in my walk through life. During the week I’m investigating violent crimes and arresting people. Then comes Sunday and I’m the pastor of a church preaching to a congregation and tending to the needs of our flock.

Anyway, as I was saying, I just got home from the hospital. I was visiting a brother who is on his deathbed. The family is deciding whether to pull the plug or hold on a couple of more days just to see if a miracle happens. I stood in front of this man, his eyes open staring blankly into mine. “Can he see me? Can he hear me?” I asked myself. “Brother Jose, it’s me, Luis Santoyo. I’m here to let you know that we are all praying for you. Your life is in God’s hands and He is in full control. Be at peace my brother.”

I said a prayer for him and then I just stood there thinking, one of these days we will all cross that threshold. We will all say good-bye to this world. When that day comes, will I be satisfied with what I did? Did I make a difference? Will I be remembered? What will my children say about me when I’m gone?

This was just another reminder of how short and delicate life really is. Another one of those wake-up calls. Every morning that we wake up and walk out that door is another miracle. We so take life for granted at times. We fail to remember that one day we will all make that journey. The question is, will we leave something behind that others will be blessed by? A song, a book, a message, something that will lead others to where we’re going. Something that will bring others to Christ. I know one thing for sure. If brother Jose makes that journey, he has touched at least one person in this life……me.

Peace….

Greater Worship

The bible says that angels bow down before God and continually utter, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty. It is a worship that results from the impact of being in God’s presence day in and day out. The angels don’t know what it’s like to struggle, to suffer, to go through the things we do here on earth. When I worship, many times I do it even when I can’t feel it. I do it even though I don’t want to.

I’m getting ready to wrap up my day today after spending hours on the street searching for a killer. Yes, a killer. We knocked on doors, talked to people and sat in front of houses we think he may be frequenting. Now, my day is done and I thank God for watching my back once again. I’m physically tired, frustrated and somewhat stressed. I’ve decided to take a moment to sacrifice worship unto my Lord. I don’t feel it, I don’t see it but I must believe it. I’m not worshiping as a result of standing in the midst of God’s glorious presence like the angels do, though I know God is here.  I believe the impact of His presence MAKES the angels worship Him. They worship out of reaction to His glory. I’m worshiping on pure faith. That is all I have in such a terrible world. I believe there’s a great blessing that God pours upon our lives when we worship Him in the midst of our daily turmoils, our daily storms, our daily struggles. Though the bible says that we are temporarily lower than the angels, I believe our worship is greater. It is greater because it is done out of pure faith.

Just remember my friend, learn to worship the Lord not because of the good or bad things surrounding your life, worship God because He is God…..

 Blessings!

Predatory Pastors

I just got back into my office here at the police department. Spent the whole morning in court once again with a certain pastor that I arrested back in November. It breaks my heart to have arrested a pastor of a Christian church but it breaks my heart even more that this pastor crossed all the lines of ethics, principles, morals and faith by sexually abusing a little boy for over 10 years.

It all started when this boy,  now a grown man, was 11 years old. He came to the United States from a country in Latin America with his divorced mother,  seeking a better life, only to find an experience so physically and emotionally traumatic that his life will never be the same again. His only hope now is that God will heal these wounds over time. 

This should be a wake-up call for all us ministers, pastors and people who exercise a position of authority and influence over others. Let us never forget that integrity is who you are when no one else is looking. These people that look up to us do not belong to us. They are children of God, God’s precious property. Let’s honor God by honoring those people we serve, be it in a police capacity or in a ministerial capacity.

Peace….

Luis Santoyo

 My name is Luis Santoyo. I was raised in Chicago where I live with my wife Enid and my two children, Karina and Emmanuel. I am the founding pastor of the House of Jubilee Church (Casa de Jubilo) along with my wife and our co pastors Carlos and Helen Santoyo. I also work as a police detective where I investigate crimes against children. I have been on the force for about 13 years now and I have no regrets. I have seen God even in the worst of circumstances. He has protected me in times of danger and for that I am grateful.

My true passion is preaching the word of God, songwriting and singing. I come from a family of musicians and I also play the guitar. I currently have two albums which I recorded in Spanish, “Perder Para Ganar” which means “Losing to Win” and soon will be releasing my second album, “Mil Pedazos” meaning, “A Thousand Pieces”.  I had the honor of recording this second album with the band that needs no introduction, “Salvador”.  I’ll talk about my music at a later time…

There is so much I have to say but I will limit myself to this short introduction. My mission in life is to bring as many people with me to heaven as I can.  The Lord Jesus saved me back in July of 1986 from a life of gangs, drugs and violence. In gratitude, my sole desire is for others to experience the saving power of the blood of Jesus.

I’ll be in touch……..