Pastor Juan Salinas

I am a child of farmworkers that migrated to the Valley from Mexico in the early 60's. I was born and raised in the Valley in a family with no religious convictions, very poor in material belongings, divided, constantly fightiing with each other, no educational goals, and in a home where love never existed. There were constant arguements over money, and the lack of it. We dependent on government assistance to survive, and I grew up in the Valley all my life being deprived of the basic neccesaties in life. I was a very insecure person with a very low self esteem of myself, and I was always very fearful of life and was unable to express my thoughts and feelings towards anyone. By the grace of God I graduated from the University with a BBA, but was unable to find work due to my inexpreince, and for the first time in my life I really felt alone, empty, and very discouraged. I had no purpose and no direction in my life.

In July 1988, my entire life started to take a turn for the better. I was invited to a church in Harlingen that when I arrived there surprised me and may a tremendous impact in my life. I attended FPG and the moment I entered the church building, I felt a love that I had never known. I gave my heart and my life to Jesus Christ as Pastor Carlos Ortiz lead through the sinners prayer. I then began seeking God like never before, and began to understand what faith in God was and how to walk in it. I also learned how to walk in love toward others, and began to understand how God expects me to live through his word. Pastor Carlos became my spiritual father, my teacher, and my friend. He and his entire family have shown me what it is to experience the love of God, and how to give it to others. Throughtout the years (14 to be exact) God has shown me his love in many ways. He has given a beautiful wife, three beautiful girls, loving in-laws, and has saved my entire
family. I now have a family that is united, in harmony, and living in the blessings of God.

Additionally, God has blessed with a good job, a good home, good friends, and has allowed me help minister to others about how real he is. He took me from a life of lack into a life of prosperity, joy and peace. Through my relationship with Christ, I have been able to express myself to everyone in love, and no longer have to keep my feelings to myself. There were hidden gifts in me that through my relationship with Jesus Christ that have developed and in the process have helped me to provide for me and my family. The ability to communicate with people is my stongest strength in my life now, but before I was afraid of talking to people. I went from a life of no purpose and no direction, to a life of identifying and living my purpose in life on a daily basis. Knowing what purpose God has for us in this life, and living it is awesome. God is alive, God is real, and without faith it is impossible to please God!