Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
On June 8 & 9, 2024, Fountain of Life Church came together with their pastoral family, Pastor Israel and First Lady Brenda Carlos, to witness that God can do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Fountain of Life Church came together for two days to consecrate their new home. Through the various seasons of the church’s history, it was evident that their passion for saving the lost and evangelism was key to the doors God opened. After 24 years of service, Pastor Israel Carlos and his leadership team came together to pray by faith. The church was growing and now needed a place to call home.
On this memorable day, Bishop President Felipe Salazar also partook in this inauguration and commended the church for their sacrifice and effort. He spoke about the blessing of consecrating the house for its ultimate purpose: to evangelize. There’s no doubt that this vision and mission have been the heartbeat of Fountain of Life Church under the leadership of Pastor Israel Carlos and his team.
When asked about his vision, Pastor Israel stated, “For many years we focused on evangelism and our church began to grow. We needed a place to ensure stability.” He shared how his church began a proconstruction fund to have funds ready in case an opportunity presented itself. His co-pastor, who led this effort, worked hard for four years. Every year, FOL hosted a banquet where the vision was cast and pledges to sow a seed into the vision were presented. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18. If the people see value in the vision, see the impact, and know the goal, they will sacrifice and be generous. There is value in a vision that will transcend our generation. It’s worth the sacrifice. Every year, the congregation grasped the vision and sowed the seeds. They worked, prayed, and had faith that God would open doors.
Pastor Carlos and his leadership team arduously worked, but also sought counsel. FOL was given land which they sold and invested the money with Apostolic Mutual. When they first invested with Apostolic Mutual, they began with $320K. They invested, continued raising funds, and prayed with faith. Something that was pressed throughout this process
BY ELIZABETH CAUDILLO
was being ready. He stressed how they were praying, but also knew that praying with faith requires action as well. FOL worked continuously and knew that when a door opened, they would be ready. When asked what advice he would give a pastor who is starting this process, he said, “Stay focused on your church vision and evangelism. Maintain all of these aspects while looking for opportunities.” He also shared how FOL hosted prayer vigils and morning prayers to open doors. They knew God was moving when an evangelist prophesied they would get an opportunity for a temple. They continued pressing forward.
In Luke 18:27 it says, “What appears humanly impossible is more than possible with God. For God can do what man cannot.” The time came when an opportunity presented itself in June 2023 when a property became available in Moreno Valley. The asking price seemed out of reach at $1.4M, but the church began to pray for this property. This property would soon be bid off in an auction. The church was ready to bid, but only had $730,000. They applied for a loan through Apostolic Mutual, which through its approval ($250k) allowed them to have $950,000 to enter the bidding. However, they needed an extra $20K plus a 5% fee. Through the approval of the Apostolic Assembly, they were allowed to bid $1M. God moved, and through a suspenseful bidding, FOL was able to purchase the property by October 2023. Pastor Carlos, today, is grateful for every person who took part in this momentous and historic moment. He expressed his gratitude towards his family, church, and Apostolic Mutual for their part in making this dream come true.
When asked why Apostolic Mutual, he said, “Because Apostolic Mutual serves pastors to accomplish the vision.” He shared that his experience was great. First, he shared that Apostolic Mutual had the best interests of the church and pastor at heart. He was able to see their goal clearly. When FOL invested money, he thought buying a temple or withdrawing the funds would be difficult or that AM might not see it as fitting. On the contrary, it was such a smooth process. Their goal was to help churches acquire their own buildings. They were gracious, and approvals were unanimous. Their goal is not to make money out of interest, which is important, but rather to help pastors fulfill their vision. They genuinely care for pastors.
Secondly, he appreciated the professionalism of the AM staff. Pastor Eddie Campa, Pastor Robledo, and all the staff were very professional. Whenever he emailed, they responded quickly, answered all his questions, and were always on top of things. They were very professional in helping the pastor and our team. They were always ready to help.
Pastor Carlos’s journey to consecrating this chosen home is one to inspire and learn from. He hopes to encourage pastors to continue pressing forward toward the mission. Continue evangelizing! Continue working in your small groups! Share the vision and let God do the rest. We congratulate FOL for this victory in their history, consecrating a home chosen and appointed by God for such a time as this.
HONORING THE LEGACY OF MINISTER DANIEL RODRIGUEZ:
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
During an early morning on a mission trip in Nepal, I awoke with an inexplicable need to call Bro. Daniel Rodriguez, a respected minister at the Fellowship of Covina Apostolic Church. At the time, Bro. Daniel was in the hospital recovering from surgery. His wife, Sis. Eva connected the call, and we shared a blessed conversation. Despite my intention to offer encouragement, Bro. Daniel uplifted me with his words, as he always had, and often made me laugh with his silly jokes. Just a few hours later, on May 25, Bro. Daniel went home to be with the Lord.
This is how Brother Daniel Rodriguez will always be remembered. He was more than a cherished supporter of Apostolic Mutual; he was an honorary member and advocate. Although he never received a paycheck or formal offerings from us, he proudly wore his white longsleeve button-down shirt adorned with the AM logo. His dedication was evident in his promotion of our loan fund, his assistance at conventions, and his willingness to undertake any task, no matter how small.
One of Bro. Daniel’s dream was to organize an Apostolic Mutual Golf Tournament to raise funds for small loans to support startup churches in National Missions. While he will not see this dream come to fruition, his vision will live on. We plan to honor his legacy by hosting the AM Golf Open in 2025, welcoming all Apostolic Assembly golfers.
Bro. Daniel Rodriguez will be deeply missed, but his spirit of service, his humor, and his dedication will continue to inspire us. We take comfort in knowing he is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HAVE YOU PLANNED FOR ANY EXPECTED AND UNEXPECTED CHANGES IN YOUR LIVING EXPENSES?
Over time, your living expenses will change. So, if you still need to plan for the future, establish some short- and long-term financial objectives. Remember, the bigger the life goal, the longer it might take to achieve.
These life expenses might include:
Paying off student loan debt
Buying a house
Starting and funding a retirement account
Taking a once-in-a-lifetime vacation
Hospitalization
Refinancing your car loan
Saving for your child’s education
Renovating your home
Funeral and pre-plan funeral
Accidents
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU LOST YOUR JOB?
Although it’s unpleasant to think about losing your job, it’s a good idea to be prepared in case you or a supporting member of your household ever faces unemployment. Determine what’s essential to your budget and what isn’t. This will show you how much money you need in your emergency fund to get you through tough times.
Essential expenses include:
Rent or mortgage
Car payments
Healthcare
Utilities
Groceries
If the unthinkable does happen, the sooner you can gather your wits and take steps to get back on track financially, the better.
ARE YOU EVER DONE SAVING?
In a word, no. Your savings account should stretch to cover periodic but not unexpected expenses such as routine home and vehicle maintenance, vacations, and gifts for special occasions. You should also have enough regular savings to pay for acute emergencies like replacing your car’s tires or paying off credit card debt. These aren’t true emergencies because you know these things will occur at some point, but you can’t always predict when they’ll happen so you should still plan for them.
NEW AM TEAM MEMBER
DANIELA RIOS GOMEZ
RECEPTIONIST
We are excited to welcome Daniela Rios Gomez as the newest member of the Apostolic Mutual Team. As our receptionist, Daniela will be assisting our members and supporting Sister Eva Rodriguez and Pastor Eddie Campa. Daniela brings a wealth of experience from her active involvement at Community Faith Center Apostolic Church, where she serves as a worship leader and choir director for the children and youth ministry. Her dedication to her church and her charismatic, polite nature make her an invaluable addition to our team.
Outside of work, Daniela enjoys reading, singing, drawing, and learning new languages—interests that reflect her creative spirit and passion for growth. These qualities not only enrich her personal life but also contribute to the positive energy she brings to her role. We are confident that Daniela’s commitment to service and her ability to connect with others will make her an excellent fit for Apostolic Mutual. Please join us in giving Daniela a warm welcome as she embarks on this exciting new chapter with our team!
