Pastors
Pastors serve the church as elders (examples of character), overseers (organizing the church), and under-shepherds (caring for the church) with the Word of God. Their role is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
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Background // Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from UTEP. Sovereign Grace Pastors College. Copywriter and editor. In pastoral ministry since 2010.
Role // Full-time staff. Overseeing vision, strategy, and preaching. Serves on the Sovereign Grace Church Planting Group.
Testimony // “I grew up in church thinking I was a “good kid” when I was self-righteous and proud. When I understood my need for God’s grace the gospel became amazing to me.”
El Paso Connection // Born and raised here. “Nothing better than a coffee downtown and then a movie at the Plaza Classic Film Festival.”
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Background // Bachelors degree NMSU. Served as a business executive in the El Paso area for over 20 years. Currently a operational consultant and coach for non-profit organizations and churches.
Role // Bivocational Pastor. Overseeing business management, ministry structure, and counseling. Serves on the Sovereign Grace Churches Emerging Nations Team in India.
Testimony // “I was aware of the Holy Spirit making me sensitive to my sin throughout Junior High and High School, but it wasn’t until the end of my third year in college that I would say I surrendered the direction of my life to the Lord and began seeking Him for my path forward.”
El Paso Connection // Born in El Paso and returned after college.
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Background // 5 years in banking. 15 years in pastoral ministry. 26 years in business management. Graduate of Christ for the Nations.Role // Part-time pastor. Overseeing ALPHA and pastoral care.
Testimony // “My heavenly father rescued me from a life of desperate selfishness, deception, and religious game playing when I was 19. He radically saved me, showing me that even though I was raised in the church my dark heart was not converted and lost. He opened my eyes to his amazing grace and saving power through his Son. I woke up the next morning a completely different and changed person.”
El Paso Connection // Born and raised in El Paso. “I love the wonderfully friendly and warm people and culture and our beautiful desert and striking mountains.”
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Background // Executive of a family-owned customs brokerage firm for 43 years on the border. Board Member at a number of El Paso area non-profit organizations over many decades.
Role // Volunteer pastor. Overseeing Re-Engage marriage ministry and pastoral care.
Testimony // I grew up a faithful Roman Catholic but when I was 27 my world fell apart. One of my closest friends shared the gospel with me and I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My problems did not change, but I was changed and I now had hope.”
El Paso Connection // Born and raised in El Paso. “I love El Paso’s weather, people, culture…and of course the food!”
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Background // Bachelors from Asuza-Pacific University. Logistics officer in the US Army.
Role // Full-time staff. Overseeing Community Groups and Sunday Teams.
Testimony // “Before Christ, I pursued my own way with zero regard for God or the church. While living a life full of shame and guilt, because of my sin, God’s overwhelming love forgave me, saved me, and changed my heart to want to live life His way.”
El Paso Connection // Stationed at Ft. Bliss in 2018. “I love the Franklin Mountains, the area water parks, and date nights with my wife Amanda downtown.”
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Background // Bachelors degree from Houghton University. Masters Degree in Music from UTEP. Band director in the El Paso area for 10 years.Role // Pastor-in-Training. Overseeing liturgy, music, and student ministries.
Testimony // “Before Christ, I was dead in my sin. God changed my heart and gave me new life!”
El Paso Connection // Moved to El Paso in 2010 to pursue a masters degree at UTEP. “I love our church family, the sun, the food and the people. Also love Savage Goods baked goods and tacos from Taconeta.”
Deacons
Deacons serve as lead servants and representatives of the church who coordinate the work of ministry in the congregation.
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Jonathan & Sarah Baeza
YOUTH MINISTRY
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Jake Elliott
COLLEGE & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
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Sandy Marquette
GRIEFSHARE
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Janel Barr
KIDS MINISTRY ADMINISTRATION
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Jenn Alcantar
CHURCH EVENTS
Staff
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Background // Served in various church ministries and capacities since high school.
Testimony // “My journey began early in life when my Spanish-speaking mother put me and 3 of my siblings on a bus that offered to take us to church each Sunday. But it wasn’t until at a summer camp later than I came to realize I was a sinner in need of grace and accepted Jesus as my Savior. That is when my life with Jesus truly began.”
El Paso Connection // I have in El Paso, off and on, for close to 25 years. “I love the people, the weather, and the easy pace of life.”
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Background // Customer service and purchasing for manufacturing companies. 20+ years at Cross of Grace Church.
Testimony // “I came to know the Lord 47 years ago. I have seen God’s protection and His grace in my life in so many might ways.”
El Paso Connection // Many years in the area.
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Background // 10+ years experience in events and administration for non-profit organizations and churches.Testimony // “Walking through trials and family difficulties early in my life, the Lord solidified my faith in Him, His Word and a future hope that all tears will be wiped away and all wrongs will be made right because of Jesus' great love for me, for us, not because of anything I can do to earn it.”
El Paso Connection // “I visited Juarez and had friends there throughout high school before moving to El Paso 15 years ago. I love the unique El Paso culture and vibes, our mountain, sharing the border with Mexico, and SUNSHINE.”