One of First Two YWAM Missionaries Makes His Final Journey
by Beverly Caruso, Abba Ministries and Youth With A Mission
May 21, 2007
VENTURA, CA (ANS) -- When Dallas Moore and his close friend Larry Hendricks, left their homes in Southern California to spend a year helping missionaries in Liberia they had no idea they were the first two of thousands of young people who would journey across the world in the name of Jesus, serving with Youth With A Mission. That year the two friends went as vocational workers and helped maintain the missionaries' vehicles, ran a saw-mill to cut lumber to build houses for leper patients, and maintained existing roads. They even built some new ones. One of their frequent adventures was hauling in supplies donated by the government to the Leprosy Mission, a 120 mile round trip. This was 1961, when most Christians believed a college education was minimal preparation for a real missionary. Dallas and Larry were only 21 years old.
Dallas and Larry soon began preaching in the villages every weekend, thus beginning the fulfillment of the vision God had given Loren Cunningham about waves of young people carrying God's word to the continents.
Dallas often said, "The experience from doing the construction work has been a very valuable thing for me as a high school shop teacher. Many times I go back and draw on some experience I had when I was there in Liberia."
Dallas was a true hero type. Handsome, muscular, a real Californian type, the one all the girls wanted to date. Not only was Dallas a neat guy, he also drove a cool car, a '56 Chevy Bel Aire that looked good, and always sounded good too. Selling that incredible car to go with YWAM was a real sacrifice for such a car aficionado, but Larry says, "I don't think Dallas ever regretted it.
Dallas was consistent. (Many said he was like a rock.) He was hard-working and understanding, always thinking of others first. His smile was contagious, and he was always eager to make others laugh through a joke or story he had to tell. All who knew him could attest to his holy life, lived out in positive relationships, and he was never in a hurry when it came to spending time with those he met along the way. Frequently, he would share bits of wisdom and encourage others to grow closer to God.
As much as Dallas loved cars, he loved his family even more. Spending time with family was Dal's priority. His wife Gloria had served with YWAM herself in the '60s in Central America. She says, "Early each day, Dal would rise to sing throughout the house, read the Word, journal and pray for God's blessing upon family, friends, and people in ministry."
Their daughter, Julie Blevins says, "A special tradition we had as a family was our morning huddle. Before anyone left in the morning, you came as you were for the one-minute prayer time about that day and, of course, hugs and kisses to send us on our way." Her sister, Ginger Maxwell says, "Dad's experiences with YWAM rippled through the rest of his life. I'll always remember the excitement of settling in as a little girl for an evening watching the "Liberia slides." He was a hands-on grandpa too, freely giving of hand-truck rides, chocolate milk and bear hugs.
He kept his friends forever..... He also tended to keep his cars forever. The 1957 Willys truck he courted my mom in is still in the family. "As a little girl, daughter Julie said, "I would ride standing with my arms in the gun racks and my body tucked in behind his. What a ride! His 1962 Chevy Impala was a source of joy and memories for him. It brought not only his newborn niece and nephew home from the hospital, but also me, and Ginger, and even his granddaughter Nina, born two years ago. That gave him such joy."
Dallas' three main loves came together in his chosen profession, teaching shop for 28 years at Ventura (California) High School. One of his students said, "He not only taught me about cars and trucks but about what it means to be a good human being...about life and how to be a man. I decided to venture into teaching and attempt to become the role model he was to me." Another added, "He was a prince of a man....kind, caring, positive, and a true gentleman. I can honestly say that Dallas is one of the few people I've known that never uttered a negative word about anyone." Another said, "He led by example." From the hundreds gathered at his memorial service, one after another spoke of Dallas as, "A family man, a godly man, an example I want my children to emulate."
Long time friend, Tim Tice, a Doctor of Psychiatry said, "Dallas will always be in my mind an example of a man who used what God allotted to him wisely."
Dallas began his a last journey in early 2006, when he was diagnosed with lymphoma. After successful chemo treatments throughout the year, he continued to pursue the three goals of his life: serving God, loving family, and working on his cars, until on Christmas Day he had emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor. Despite a good recovery, the effects of a bacterial infection, due to low immunity, took its toll on his strong body through the following weeks. On Easter Eve, 2007, Dallas reached his final destination to stand in the presence of the Risen Lord with the song, "To God Be the Glory" in his heart.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
