PANCHO JUAREZ
Place of Birth: Mexico
Pastor/Founder: The Ark Montebello (Calvary Chapel Montebello)
Notables: Vietnam Veteran (USMC, non-combat)
College: East Los Angeles College - Class of '80
Family: Wife: Millie, 5 Kids: Jasmine, Bianca, Alexandria, Sebastian, Zoe
Films: A Quiet Hope (Vietnam War Documentary)
Books: "An Altered Life"
Ministries: On The Level Media, Casa del Descanso
Radio Broadcast: On The Level Radio
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PanchoJuarez
Pastor/Founder: The Ark Montebello (Calvary Chapel Montebello)
Notables: Vietnam Veteran (USMC, non-combat)
College: East Los Angeles College - Class of '80
Family: Wife: Millie, 5 Kids: Jasmine, Bianca, Alexandria, Sebastian, Zoe
Films: A Quiet Hope (Vietnam War Documentary)
Books: "An Altered Life"
Ministries: On The Level Media, Casa del Descanso
Radio Broadcast: On The Level Radio
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PanchoJuarez
Pancho is well known in his community as a local "son gone awry," only to reappear later on as a compassionate person, changed. In 1990, this new person returned to his hometown of his high school days, and decided to start a home-fellowship in a duplex home on California street. Immediately this fellowship expanded as Pancho was disposed to reach to the down-and-outs, the outcasts, and those who were basically tired of a deep-cultured, dead-religion. Having served his country during the height of the Vietnam era, Pancho received his honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps. Upon his military release, he immersed into a fast and dark, moral digression -- "Trying to make up for the years I missed," he would quip. Alcoholism (like his father and brother) and drugs were killing him softly.
It was here where Pancho received most of his biblical servanthood and training. Involved in many of the church ministries for eleven years, he was asked by pastor Raul to join the echelons of church leadership. In 1989 the divine clarion call to go back to his youth hometown was received and acknowledged. Receiving the pastoral right hand of fellowship, his venture began as he returned to Montebello to start a home-fellowship.
Two years later the home-fellowship, now well over two hundred members, had moved to a larger facility, a community building aptly named Taylor Ranch, a converted barn. A short year later, the church made a bold, innovative move: Sunday morning services in the local high school auditorium. On July 12, 1992, Calvary Chapel Montebello was officially a church. Pastor Raul Ries shared a dedication message on that special day.
In July of 1995 the church made yet another daring turn: Moving into a 98,000 sq.ft. building, formerly a warehouse.
By then the congregation consisted of eight hundred adults. Two years later, on August 1997, something so huge, and supernatural occurred: the building became the property of Calvary Chapel Montebello. The congregation purchased the entire property! The church is now ministering to more than 2,000 adults and 500 children. There is always a church-activity going on each day of the week.
Pancho continues to share his straight-ahead, straight-up style of teaching. While he is still going through the divine refinement process, and lacking polished public-speaking abilities, he nevertheless will not shy away from these impediments, and will exploit any opportunity given to share the message of Christ any place, anywhere.
He strongly believes that Jesus Christ is the only answer and hope for this dying world.
Two years later the home-fellowship, now well over two hundred members, had moved to a larger facility, a community building aptly named Taylor Ranch, a converted barn. A short year later, the church made a bold, innovative move: Sunday morning services in the local high school auditorium. On July 12, 1992, Calvary Chapel Montebello was officially a church. Pastor Raul Ries shared a dedication message on that special day.
In July of 1995 the church made yet another daring turn: Moving into a 98,000 sq.ft. building, formerly a warehouse.
By then the congregation consisted of eight hundred adults. Two years later, on August 1997, something so huge, and supernatural occurred: the building became the property of Calvary Chapel Montebello. The congregation purchased the entire property! The church is now ministering to more than 2,000 adults and 500 children. There is always a church-activity going on each day of the week.
Pancho continues to share his straight-ahead, straight-up style of teaching. While he is still going through the divine refinement process, and lacking polished public-speaking abilities, he nevertheless will not shy away from these impediments, and will exploit any opportunity given to share the message of Christ any place, anywhere.
He strongly believes that Jesus Christ is the only answer and hope for this dying world.
