Susan Neyra, founder and president of Disciples 4 Christ Outreach, is being used mightily by God in ministry.  Growing up in a small suburb in Dallas County, she was raised by middle-class parents and, from all outward appearances, seemed normal.  But in reality, it was a dysfunctional home.  Her idea of a husband and father being warped, Susan went down a path of unsuccessful marriages not knowing how to pick a life-long, loving mate.  Within ten years of high school graduation, she had married three times. Co-dependency should have been her middle name.  With no self-esteem, she set out to make her third marriage work no matter what the cost – even to the tune of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy the love of a very abusive, drug-addicted man.

Living in a physically, emotionally, and verbally abusive relationship for eight years had taken a toll on her.  Also, with four children ranging in ages from new-born to 15, and facing three felony counts, her life was spiraling out of control.  She told herself death would be better than this.  One evening, sleeping on the floor of a relative’s house, she asked God to deliver her from the abusive husband and the mess she had made of her life.  While awaiting trial, she attended church regularly and hoped that God would spare her from prison time.  In March of 1996, the day finally came and she was sentenced to 20 years. She couldn’t imagine doing 20 days, much less 20 years, but she was bound and determined to come out of prison better than the way she went in.  The only way she knew to do that was to make Jesus Lord of her life, so she soaked up everything she could.  She attended weekly Bible studies, sang in the choir, edited a faith-based newsletter and clerked for the unit chaplain.  Yes, she was doing time, but in her mind, she was attending Bible college.

Finally, five and one-half years later, the day came when the prison gates swung open and she was released.  Apprehensive, she faced life once again in the free world, but this time she knew who she was in Christ and that her future did not depend upon a man, but her heavenly Father.  Within six months, her two younger children, now eleven and seven, came to live with her and she was developing a healthy relationship with the two older ones.

Susan received the vision for Disciples4Christ Outreach and was directed by God to establish it in the spring of 2006.  Her assignment is to encourage the downhearted to look to the Word for all their answers, and allow the Word to have final authority in their lives, causing them to overcome strongholds on their lives and to walk in who they are in Christ.

She teaches the Word of God with simplicity, great compassion, commitment and humor.  Her life is a demonstration of what she believes and teaches from His Word.  These manifestations of a changed life give evidence and best describe what God is doing in and through her life.