Growing up, I lived in a morally good Christian home. However, during my early teen years, I started to rebel by using drugs and alcohol. My pursuit of finding my identity within the world only lead further down the road of darkness and destruction. I became lawless, violent, and hopeless. At the age of 22, I was a felon stuck in the judicial system.

But God, being rich in mercy, had a different plan for my life. It was in the midst of the darkness that God made himself known to me. His pursuit of my heart was relentless. One day, as I sat in jail, observing my familiar surroundings, I started to ask questions to God concerning the purpose of life.
It was not long after this that I would receive help from a recovery ministry and come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

After a year of recovery, my life had been changed by the gospel, and I had a new start in a new city called Riverside. I began working at a nearby restaurant and attending a local church called Harvest Christian Fellowship. Although I never realized God’s calling to ministry first, His faithfulness in opening doors of opportunities to teach, lead and serve His people became apparent. In December 2015, I was hired on by Harvest Christian Fellowship as an intern.

Fast forward five years, I am happily engaged to Gabby Alvarez, who I met through the Young Adults ministry, the church has confirmed my calling to shepherd the people, and my passion for the gospel continues to kindle. I am unceasingly thankful for the grace I have received through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus.

Born in: 1987
Birthplace: Upland, CA
Pastor since: 2020
Previous work: Anchos Restaurant
Favorite verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Engaged to: Gabby