HIS STORY: FRANK DEL CORRAL
his |hiz| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a male person: His joy is contagious.
Meet Frank Del Corral!
Frank Del Corral is one of Sabrina Harrison's closest friends, the Creative Director of MINT Dentistry, and the Creative Lead at Social Dallas. He was one of Equipped by Faith’s first speakers and has helped grow the ministry behind the scenes since its founding in 2014. Known for his hilarious humor, endless creative ideas, and captivating storytelling ability—Frank has a unique way of bringing the spirit of God’s joy into everyday life by making the mundane seem magical.
Frank has anchored himself in the security of God’s faithfulness and love through seasons of incredible loss and disappointment and uses any platform he has to fight for those without a voice. We were thrilled to have Frank Del Corral join us as our December 2020 EBF speaker and host as we enjoyed a night of laughter, fun, and giveaways to celebrate the Christmas season and end of 2020!
We always enjoy our time with Frank and we know you will too. Read more of his story below or watch the Facebook Live video here!
Q&A with Frank Del Corral
1. When and how did you become a Christian?
I didn’t grow up a Christian. I was 15 and into drugs—going to the club with a fake ID and caught up in that world. I was so lost. My friend invited me to a Super Bowl party and I heard the word "party" and was like, "I’m there!" But it ended up being a church youth group party. They turned off the half-time show and the pastor preached. They invited me to church after. For a long time, I would go to church high because I was interested. I went to a youth camp later that year and went up to the altar and prayed by myself. I just wanted to know God. I felt like the old me was gone and the new me was here. Nobody in my family really followed God. So, that night, I asked God to save my dad too. I wanted him to feel what I felt at that moment. It wasn’t until a month before he passed away that I saw an answer to that prayer when my dad gave his life to God.
I want to encourage you if you feel like God is slow in answering your prayers...know that God is always working behind the scenes on your behalf. God is in control and you can trust His timing.
2. December isn’t the easiest month for you with your dad passing away during the holidays. How are you able to cope now?
When you lose someone close to you, the grief comes in waves. When my dad passed—it didn’t all hit me at once. But when it would come, it would tear me to shreds. There's a quote I love by Charles Spurgeon that says, “I have learned to kiss the wave that pushes me against the Rock of Ages.” The waves of life only push us closer to God. I’ve learned to embrace the disappointments and hurts because it only pushes me closer to Jesus. I mourn my dad in moments where I am happy—when I think about where my dad would love to be, happy moments when I wish he could be with me. At the same time—there is a hope that I carry because I know I’m going to see him again.
Grief can make you live with regret—like, why didn't I take more pictures with my dad when he was here? Take photos with your loved ones, enjoy being with them, be grateful for them. Regret can be a heavy weight we carry—and God really convicted me of carrying that. But God is close to the brokenhearted. God has taught me to take off the heaviness and replace it with His mercy and grace, and peace.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
3. What are moments in your life that have really defined you?
My dad died of pancreatic cancer on December 18th—right before Christmas. The Thanksgiving right before he passed, we were in the hospital eating hospital food for our Thanksgiving meal. We had a conversation that day that has defined my entire life. My dad looked at me in his hospital bed and said, "Mijo, I love how much you love God. I’ve watched the way you worship and the way you pray. I love that side of you. I love the friends you have. Hold onto your friends." I started asking him questions—and I asked him if he could go back in life, what would he change? “Mijo, I would love you more. I would show you, your mom, and your brothers just how much I love you.” I'll never forget that moment. It really puts life into perspective for me.
4. What are the obstacles you’ve faced in life?
Self-doubt. If I ever compare myself to others, it can cause self-doubt. But then I remember 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
"Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not— to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”
When I deal with something I feel insecure about, I remember God is with me and for me. I remember I am called by Him and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Only God can give you the confidence you need to overcome your fear.
5. Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to my mom. She’s the strongest person I know. I have watched her work so hard. We didn't grow up with a lot of money, but my mom is a handy and very crafty person. She taught herself how to re-wire the cable (from one box) into each of our rooms *LOL*! I never had a room until Junior High. I was sleeping on a bunk bed or on the couch—so my mom built me a room with her own two hands. A twin bed didn’t even fit in the room, but my mom sawed a little bed for me. They turned it into a closet after I moved out. *LOL*
When my dad got sick, my mom was almost at the point where she could retire—literally days away. But she gave it all up to take care of my dad until his last breath. It was the most inspiring thing to watch. Mom, you are the most inspirational person I know.
6. How do you make time for your relationship with God?
I’m not really organized or structured—I’m a little more free-spirited. So I don’t have a daily structured plan to spend time with God. But I include God in every part of my life. I listen to worship music all the time and I always try to be grateful. I used to pray and ask for God to do things or change things. But I changed my prayer life to be one of gratitude and it has changed everything in my life. I start my prayers thanking God for life and everything I have...my health, my apartment, my life, and thanking Him for my salvation. I don’t deserve any of it. I used to be so lost—and now I feel like I have direction. If you are discouraged, just start thanking God and think of things you are grateful for and it will change your attitude, mind, and life.
7. You’re the Creative Lead at Social Dallas. Can you tell us a little about that?
I attend a church called Social Dallas. They meet every Sunday night at 6pm at the Granada Theater. They have a heart to run after God. It's a place for people and God’s presence—and we’ve really seen a move of God there. It’s awesome to see my friends (Robert and Taylor Madu) in this season. Their obedience to God in these moments where everything has changed during a global pandemic has been incredibly inspiring to me. I want to encourage everyone to get plugged-in to a local church—be part of a church that works toward racial reconciliation, helps the poor, and houses the presence of God. Find a church community and see what God does through your life.
8. What podcast do you love right now?
I love the podcast called The Moth. It's a place where people go and share their stories in front of a live audience. The stories are either funny, sad, inspiring, or simply entertaining. I would love to be featured one day! *LOL*
9. Growing up, was there a certain thing you wanted to do, and are you doing it now?
Yes. I always wanted to be an actor—am I doing it now? No—but I do work in a creative space. I wrote and helped produce a commercial for the Super Bowl this year. But my main objective is to live for God. I love what I do with Social Dallas because it has given me a place to be in ministry in my own way.
10. What is your favorite scripture?
My favorite scripture of all time is 1 Peter 1:8, "You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy."
Thank you, Frank! You always make us smile!!
We’ll see you all next YEAR on January 6, 2021 for our next Equipped by Faith first-Wednesday gathering. Be sure to follow us on social media @equippedbyfaith and subscribe to our newsletter at info@equippedbyfaith.com to receive weekly Bible Reading Plan devotionals, Equip Group meet-ups, and other special updates!
XO-
Equipped by Faith