Making Jesus Known: Missions, Miracles, And Family With David Ursin

Domestic Dad Cleaning Up The Mess | Sobriety, Parenting, Dad, Addiction, Recovery,

In this moving episode of Domestic Dad: Cleaning Up the Mess, Nick sits down with evangelist David Ursin to unpack a life shaped by faith, tested by trials, and transformed by grace.

David grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the son of a Methodist pastor, learning early what it meant to be a “PK.” Yet despite being surrounded by church, he admits he lived in a lukewarm faith—outwardly devoted, but inwardly unsure what true surrender looked like. That all changed at 19, when a simple trip to Memphis opened his eyes to believers on fire for Jesus. In that airport, he made the decision to give God everything—and he never looked back.

David shares how fasting, Bible college, and unexpected mentorship under evangelism legends Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda propelled him into global ministry. From learning the foundations of scripture to organizing gospel crusades for tens of thousands in Pakistan and India, David opens up about the miracles, the challenges, and the very real risks that come with preaching in hostile environments—including persecution, terrorist threats, and even moments of radical conversion among those once opposed to the gospel.

But this isn’t just a story of global missions—it’s also one of family. David reflects on meeting his wife Natalia, a widowed mother of two whose husband was tragically murdered. He shares how her radical act of forgiveness just one week after the killing became one of the clearest pictures of Christ he has ever seen. Together, David and Natalia built a family rooted in redemption: he legally adopted her twins earlier this year, giving them his name as their father, and they recently welcomed their first biological daughter, Evangelina, whose birth carries a powerful tie to Romans 1:16.

Throughout the conversation, David and Nick dive deep into themes of faith, forgiveness, and fatherhood. They talk about the challenges of blended families, the responsibility of spiritual leadership in the home, and why spending daily time with Jesus is the only way to lead with strength.

This episode is both inspiring and practical—a reminder that faith isn’t passive, it’s a verb. Whether you’re wrestling with forgiveness, searching for direction, or simply navigating the everyday chaos of parenting, David’s story will encourage you to trust God with everything.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:59 David's Early Life and Upbringing

01:56 Struggles with Faith and Youth Group Experiences

04:13 Turning Point: Encounter in Memphis

11:48 Bible College Journey

19:21 Evangelism Training and Mentorship

26:23 Organizing Mass Gospel Events

37:06 Personal Life and Meeting His Wife

41:03 Introduction to Natalia's Story

41:48 The Power of Forgiveness

42:23 A Tragic Murder and Its Aftermath

43:27 Reflections on Forgiveness and Faith

51:02 Challenges of Blended Families

57:59 Adoption and Legal Parenthood

01:00:47 Becoming a Biological Father

01:06:30 Faith and Parenting

01:16:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

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