“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;” Psalm 12:7
I was born in Washington D.C. and was raised in San Diego, California by my parents Ira and Irma Amargo. Ever since I could remember, they always pushed us to follow Jesus, to seek Him and told us we were their ”arrows” . They not only said that, but they modeled it for my siblings, Iza, Ina, Izak, and I. We would always see them serving the Lord, reading their Bibles, singing worship songs, and bringing us all over the world for missions. And from a very young age i knew that JESUS was my Savior, but as i grew up I realized that i needed HIM to be the Lord of my life. Through different trials and struggles in the high school years of my life the Lord showed me that He wanted all of me; my mind, my life, my future, my plans, my everything.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
So my plan was to get my bio degree and enter the medical field, and that was what I was planning on doing after my one semester at Calvary Chapel Bible College. That changed, I stayed and ultimately finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies. During my last semester of college, spring of 2005, a door opened up for an internship at Calvary Chapel St. George, which I walked through. When my year internship ended, I continued serving and growing in the Lord and through that time in my daily reading in the Word, God gave me a verse for the ministry he had for me. which was in Psalm 73.
”O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. ” Psalm 73:17-18
The Lord has used this verse in my life greatly. from the Grace to save me to the Grace to sustain me, He taught me and showed me His Love. And He called me to serve HIM with my life and with my with my beautiful wife, Shannon, and our three kids. That led us to 16 years of ministry at Calvary Chapel St. George, which concluded in 2021, when we were led to plant Redeemer Community, which began in 2022. We are excited to walk together in His Spirit, Glorify the Father, Follow Jesus, and just… LOVE.
– IVAN AMARGO
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2