Dan Owens, Founder and President of the faith-based organization Eternity Minded Ministries (EMM) says, "The rising cost of living in San Diego played a big part in driving our decision to relocate our headquarters." But there is a different side to the story of why this ministry, after nine years in sunny San Diego, decided to relocate to the rolling hills of Paso Robles.

Eternity Minded Ministries with Dan Owens travels around the world bringing the hope of eternal life to many tribes and nations through preaching of the Gospel, providing humanitarian aid, discipleship, and building churches. With a staff of five, and the support of numerous volunteers, EMM is devoted to fulfilling the great commission and has impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world including Uganda, Burundi, India, Pakistan, Romania, the Baltics, the United Kingdom and the United States. This October, EMM will be taking a team of thirty-five volunteers to Peru to minister to the people of Iquitos and surrounding villages.

EMM began its ministry nine years ago in San Diego when the cost of living was still fairly reasonable.  Today, with the rising cost of real-estate, gas, and the major traffic jams on Interstate 15, people are leaving San Diego by the thousands and many businesses are pulling up stakes. NBC news recently reported that more than 42,000 people left San Diego between July 2005 and July 2006.

The practical reasons of EMM's relocation are predictable. Paso Robles (located in San Luis Obispo County) offers affordability, a slower pace, peacefulness, and is conveniently located between the Bay Area and Los Angeles. But when Dan Owens answers the question "Why Paso Robles?" he says it's in his DNA.

Dan Owens' family heritage is from the Salinan Tribe, the ancient Indian people that once populated what are now parts of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties. Dan recalls "many moons" ago visiting Paso Robles and feeling an overwhelming sense of belonging. After experiencing that familiar feeling, Dan was not surprised to learn that his great great grandfather was among the multitude of Californian natives to be impacted and baptized by the European missionaries that came to share the good news of Jesus Christ. 

The encyclopedia explains that the main role of DNA is the long-term storage of information and it is often compared to a set of blueprints. It is fitting that the Lord provided Dan Owens with the gift of evangelism and called him to the mission field. When the lives of his ancestors were touched by the missionaries it was marked in his physical DNA. Although, it is the spiritual DNA through Christ's resurrection that is the driving force behind Dan's mission to touch lives for eternity.

"As believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are all encoded with the DNA of Christ. Being in Paso Robles is a powerful acknowledgement of my physical and spiritual DNA, and the purpose of Eternity Minded Ministries - to touch lives forever" expresses Owens. 

EMM is looking for additional volunteers to participate in ministries around the world and lend a helping hand in the office. If you would like to learn more about EMM and hear about opportunities to volunteer, visit www.eternityminded.org, email emm-info@eternityminded.org, call (805) 239-8615 or write to P.O. Box 2460, Paso Robles, California  93447.

Editorial Contact:

Jill Griffin, Director of Communications

Eternity Minded Ministries